If you often find yourself searching for “beautiful waterfalls near me,” but you’re not looking for long hikes, you’re in luck. New Jersey is home to several easy-to-access waterfalls with little or no hiking required. These make for great family day trips and are perfect for a summer adventure. These are some of the best waterfall hikes in New Jersey, and they make fantastic spots for photographers!
- Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail, Lambertville
Peter Miller/Flickr The beautiful, ADA-accessible, D&R Canal State Park Trail spans over 70 miles and traverses three counties. It offers spectacular scenery all along the way but you’ll want to stop in Lambertville to find this waterfall. Though it’s obviously not natural, it’s still one of the best hiking trails with waterfalls in New Jersey! Access the trail near Mt. Hope Street and Cavallo Park and head south for about a quarter of a mile.
Take a look at Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail’s AllTrails listing. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, Trenton, New Jersey, USA
- Tinton Ave. Waterfall, Tinton Falls
Jazz Guy/Flickr This waterfall may be small but it’s easily enjoyed from the overlook near 741 Tinton Avenue. Part of Pine Brook, the waterfall feeds into a mineral spring.
Check out more about Tinton Ave. Waterfall. Tinton Avenue, Tinton Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ, USA
- Morris Canal Park, Little Falls
Doug Kerr/Flickr While the “Little Falls” that the town got its name from no longer exists, you can still find a gushing waterfall with just a short walk through Morris Canal Park. It’s an easy trail, and you’ll need to trek less than half a mile to enjoy this view.
Visit Morris Canal Park’s AllTrails listing. Morris Canal, New Jersey, USA
- Buttermilk Falls, Layton
Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr Park, cross the street, and you’re here! The tallest waterfall in New Jersey, Buttermilk Falls includes interpretive displays and a platform above the falls for an even better view.
Take a look at Buttermilk Falls’ AllTrails listing. Buttermilk Falls, Mountain Rd, Layton, NJ 07851, USA
- Great Falls, Paterson
Joe Robello/500 px/ 500 px plus collection/Getty Images A must-visit, Paterson’s Great Falls is one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Northeast, and one of the very best waterfall hikes in New Jersey! The city of Paterson was planned around and powered by the falls, beginning the Industrial Revolution.
Check out Great Falls’ AllTrails listing. Great Falls, Paterson, NJ, USA
- Grace Lord Park, Boonton
schmataki/TripAdvisor There are two easy-to-access waterfalls in Grace Lord Park and multiple viewpoints to enjoy them from. No hiking at all is required to see the first waterfall, pictured. The second is just a short walk away.
See Grace Lord Park’s AllTrails listing. Grace Lord Park, Boonton, NJ 07005, USA
- Great Falls, Duke Farms
Peter Miller/Flickr Rounding out our list of the best hikes with waterfalls in New Jersey is Duke Farms. Duke Farms is a beautiful place for a day trip. It features tropical orchids, historic ruins, a variety of scavenger hunts, and so much more. This man made waterfall is a highlight and it’s set to go off 4 times a day - check with the park office first.
Learn more about Duke Farms. 72 McBride Ave, Paterson, NJ 07501, USA
What other easy to access waterfalls would you add to this list? Share with us in the comments.
Peter Miller/Flickr
The beautiful, ADA-accessible, D&R Canal State Park Trail spans over 70 miles and traverses three counties. It offers spectacular scenery all along the way but you’ll want to stop in Lambertville to find this waterfall. Though it’s obviously not natural, it’s still one of the best hiking trails with waterfalls in New Jersey! Access the trail near Mt. Hope Street and Cavallo Park and head south for about a quarter of a mile.
Take a look at Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail’s AllTrails listing.
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, Trenton, New Jersey, USA
Jazz Guy/Flickr
This waterfall may be small but it’s easily enjoyed from the overlook near 741 Tinton Avenue. Part of Pine Brook, the waterfall feeds into a mineral spring.
Check out more about Tinton Ave. Waterfall.
Tinton Avenue, Tinton Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
While the “Little Falls” that the town got its name from no longer exists, you can still find a gushing waterfall with just a short walk through Morris Canal Park. It’s an easy trail, and you’ll need to trek less than half a mile to enjoy this view.
Visit Morris Canal Park’s AllTrails listing.
Morris Canal, New Jersey, USA
Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr
Park, cross the street, and you’re here! The tallest waterfall in New Jersey, Buttermilk Falls includes interpretive displays and a platform above the falls for an even better view.
Take a look at Buttermilk Falls’ AllTrails listing.
Buttermilk Falls, Mountain Rd, Layton, NJ 07851, USA
Joe Robello/500 px/ 500 px plus collection/Getty Images
A must-visit, Paterson’s Great Falls is one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Northeast, and one of the very best waterfall hikes in New Jersey! The city of Paterson was planned around and powered by the falls, beginning the Industrial Revolution.
Check out Great Falls’ AllTrails listing.
Great Falls, Paterson, NJ, USA
schmataki/TripAdvisor
There are two easy-to-access waterfalls in Grace Lord Park and multiple viewpoints to enjoy them from. No hiking at all is required to see the first waterfall, pictured. The second is just a short walk away.
See Grace Lord Park’s AllTrails listing.
Grace Lord Park, Boonton, NJ 07005, USA
Rounding out our list of the best hikes with waterfalls in New Jersey is Duke Farms. Duke Farms is a beautiful place for a day trip. It features tropical orchids, historic ruins, a variety of scavenger hunts, and so much more. This man made waterfall is a highlight and it’s set to go off 4 times a day - check with the park office first.
Learn more about Duke Farms.
72 McBride Ave, Paterson, NJ 07501, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me March 23, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What is the most scenic hike in New Jersey? The most scenic hike in New Jersey just might be inside the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford. The loop around Butler Reservoir is lovely, although it does have its challenging parts, and you might get a little bit wet around some of the water features. Just be sure that everyone in your group is ready for steep inclines- they are well worth it for the views. You can also determine which way you want to go, from 2.2 to 5.3 miles, so the hike around Butler Reservoir is a customizable outdoor foray. What is the oldest park in New Jersey? The oldest park in New Jersey is Morristown National Historical Park. It has 1,711 acres and is located in Morristown. It is certainly worth stopping by to see such an important landmark. In 1933, Morristown National Historical Park officially became the United States’ first National Historical Park. What are the most well-known parks in New Jersey? Some of the most well-known parks in New Jersey include Worthington State Forest, Wawayanda State Park, Palisades Interstate Park, High Point State Park, and Cheesequake State Park. If you like spending time around other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts on your adventures, these are the places for you! While they may have more visitors than the quieter parks, it can be a lot of fun to bond with others while you’re enjoying a beautiful day outside.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
March 23, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
What is the most scenic hike in New Jersey? The most scenic hike in New Jersey just might be inside the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford. The loop around Butler Reservoir is lovely, although it does have its challenging parts, and you might get a little bit wet around some of the water features. Just be sure that everyone in your group is ready for steep inclines- they are well worth it for the views. You can also determine which way you want to go, from 2.2 to 5.3 miles, so the hike around Butler Reservoir is a customizable outdoor foray. What is the oldest park in New Jersey? The oldest park in New Jersey is Morristown National Historical Park. It has 1,711 acres and is located in Morristown. It is certainly worth stopping by to see such an important landmark. In 1933, Morristown National Historical Park officially became the United States’ first National Historical Park. What are the most well-known parks in New Jersey? Some of the most well-known parks in New Jersey include Worthington State Forest, Wawayanda State Park, Palisades Interstate Park, High Point State Park, and Cheesequake State Park. If you like spending time around other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts on your adventures, these are the places for you! While they may have more visitors than the quieter parks, it can be a lot of fun to bond with others while you’re enjoying a beautiful day outside.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The most scenic hike in New Jersey just might be inside the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford. The loop around Butler Reservoir is lovely, although it does have its challenging parts, and you might get a little bit wet around some of the water features. Just be sure that everyone in your group is ready for steep inclines- they are well worth it for the views. You can also determine which way you want to go, from 2.2 to 5.3 miles, so the hike around Butler Reservoir is a customizable outdoor foray.
What is the oldest park in New Jersey?
The oldest park in New Jersey is Morristown National Historical Park. It has 1,711 acres and is located in Morristown. It is certainly worth stopping by to see such an important landmark. In 1933, Morristown National Historical Park officially became the United States’ first National Historical Park.
What are the most well-known parks in New Jersey?
Some of the most well-known parks in New Jersey include Worthington State Forest, Wawayanda State Park, Palisades Interstate Park, High Point State Park, and Cheesequake State Park. If you like spending time around other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts on your adventures, these are the places for you! While they may have more visitors than the quieter parks, it can be a lot of fun to bond with others while you’re enjoying a beautiful day outside.