April is peak waterfall season in New Jersey, when spring rain and melting snow replenish streams and rivers, increasing water flow so the falls are at their most impressive. Many falls are easy to reach, making them a fun outing with the kids.
Plan your visit shortly after a heavy rain for the strongest flow, and follow the blazes (colored markers) that identify each trail.
Wear hiking boots or trail sneakers with good traction since trails may be slippery or muddy, and consider waterproof shoes as well. Bring a change of shoes for the ride home just in case little boots—or yours—get muddy.
Here are six scenic spots to explore this spring.
PATERSON GREAT FALLS
Paterson
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park’s impressive natural scenery and fascinating slice of American history make it a must-see destination. The Great Falls tumble 77 feet down and stretch 260 feet wide along the Passaic River. By volume, they’re the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, surpassed only by Niagara Falls.
In 1792, Alexander Hamilton chose Paterson to be America’s first planned industrial city. Harnessing the falls’ powerful water enabled the manufacture of cotton fabric, silk, railroad locomotives, firearms and more, playing a key role in the nation’s early industrial boom. Families can easily explore the falls via a paved, strollerfriendly walking path.
The newly reopened pedestrian bridge allows visitors to get an up-close view of the water rushing over the rock ledge into the river below. On sunny days, look for rainbows forming in the mist over the falls.
Just around the corner, curious kids may enjoy the science and history exhibits at the Paterson Museum. Nearby Garret Mountain Reservation has a playground, picnic areas and walking paths.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 0.5 mile or less, total, out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-friendly age range: Toddlers and up
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Easy access to a large paved lot
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour
BUTTERMILK FALLS
Layton, Walpack Twp.
Buttermilk Falls is considered New Jersey’s tallest waterfall and offers a dramatic vertical drop without requiring a hike to view it. The falls are located beside a dirt parking area on Mountain Road. Water cascades over multiple rock ledges into a shallow pool at the base. Spring typically brings the heaviest flow, but even in drier seasons delicate streams of water cascade over the tall rock face, making the falls scenic yearround. Beautiful rhododendrons surround the falls and usually bloom in June or early July.
After viewing Buttermilk Falls from below, visitors can climb the adjacent wooden staircase to reach a viewing platform at the top, which offers a unique perspective looking down over the waterfall. Avid hikers can continue from the platform on the steep, rugged Buttermilk Falls Trail (blue blazes), which connects to the Appalachian Trail.
Buttermilk Falls is located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which offers plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 0.2 mile (top of falls) or less, total, out and back
Difficulty: Easy; moderate to the top of the falls
Kid-friendly age range: Toddlers and up
Stroller-friendly: No
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Dirt lot; access road can be rough. Closed to vehicles in the winter.
Time needed: 15 to 30 minutes
TILLMAN RAVINE
Stokes State Forest, Branchville
Tillman Ravine offers a short hike through a shady, hemlock-lined ravine. Starting from either parking area, follow the Tillman Ravine Trail (white blazes) gradually downhill toward the brook and loop back around for a roughly one-mile hike. The trail crosses Tillman Brook several times on wooden bridges and weaves alongside the water, making it an enjoyable walk for families.
One of the highlights is a swirling cascade known as the “Tea Cup,” where water rushes down a slanted rock and circles into a natural rock bowl. While the waterfalls in Tillman Ravine don’t feature large vertical drops, they more than make up for it with many cascades tumbling over moss-covered rocks in a peaceful setting.
Buttermilk Falls is a 10-15 minute drive from Tillman Ravine if you’d like to visit another waterfall; or Stony Brook Falls is also in Stokes State Forest, but is about 25 minutes away and requires some hiking.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 0.9-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; roots, slight hill, bridges
Kid-friendly age range: Age 5 and up
Stroller-friendly: No
Bathrooms: Rustic outhouse in each parking area
Parking: Two medium lots, reached by a paved park road
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
HEMLOCK FALLS
South Mountain Reservation, West Orange
A short, scenic walk on the Lenape Trail (yellow blazes) leads to Hemlock Falls tucked inside South Mountain Reservation. Nestled within a rocky alcove, the waterfall forms where Hemlock Brook drops 25 feet over a cliff into a very shallow pool below. The water cascades over a striking type of basalt rock, common throughout the park, that naturally fractures into hexagonal columns.
Hemlock Falls is best visited after a heavy rain as the water may slow to a trickle during dry stretches. In winter, the cascading water often freezes into beautiful icy formations.
A few benches near the falls provide a perfect spot to sit, have a snack and take in the view. Nearby is a smaller waterfall called Hobble Falls. After enjoying the falls from below, visitors can climb a set of stone steps to reach an overlook above the falls.
Within South Mountain Reservation, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is about a 5–10 minute drive from Hemlock Falls and features animals such as giraffes, penguins and big cats.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 0.8 miles, total, out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-friendly age range: Toddlers and up
Stroller-friendly: No
Bathrooms: No, but are available in the nearby Tulip Springs lot (the falls can be reached from this lot via a slightly longer hike)
Parking: Small paved lot that can fill up
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour
STONY BROOK FALLS
Stokes State Forest, Branchville
Stony Brook Falls is an easy hike featuring two pretty waterfalls and a series of cascades along Stony Brook. Start at the Kittle Field parking lot, which has picnic and restroom facilities, a playground, and an open field where kids can burn off any leftover energy. The Stony Brook Trail (brown blazes) leads to both falls. Turning left from the parking area leads to a tiered waterfall known as Stepping Stone Falls, while turning right brings you to a sharply angled waterfall with a tree growing over the top of the rock. Visiting both waterfalls makes for an easy one-mile round-trip hike.
Older kids and adventurous hikers can continue past the angled falls to include the Stony Lake Loop or explore one of the many other options within Stokes’ extensive trail system.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 1.0 mile, total, out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-friendly age range: Toddlers and up
Stroller-friendly: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Easy access to a very large, paved lot. A park entrance fee is charged from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Time needed: 1 hour
SCHOOLEY’S FALLS
Schooley’s Mountain County Park Long Valley
Hike through a beautiful, wooded gorge to photogenic Schooley’s Falls. The blue-blazed trail is very rocky, but it’s a bit less than a mile roundtrip to reach the waterfall and return. Follow scenic Electric Brook, named for a small generating station that once used the stream for power.
There are many smaller cascades to enjoy before reaching Schooley’s Falls, which has an upper and lower section. The trail briefly descends a set of stone steps for a closer look at the falls.
For families who want to explore further, continue past the waterfalls to a scenic viewpoint. At the intersection with the Patriot’s Path (white/teal blazes), turn right for a short walk to reach the overlook, then return via Patriot’s Path, increasing the hike to 1.5 miles total.
The town of Chester (about 10 minutes away) features Alstede Farms, which has a farm store, pick-your-own fruit, farm animals, and many activities for kids.
AT A GLANCE
Distance: 0.8 miles, total, out and back
Difficulty: Moderate; very rocky
Kid-friendly age range: Age 5 and up
Stroller-friendly: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Easy access to a large, paved lot
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
— Dawn McClennen is the creator of njhiking.com, a resource featuring 200+ detailed hiking guides across New Jersey, and has personally hiked every route on the site, often multiple times.
Read More:
Top 10 Family-Friendly Nature Adventures in New Jersey
14 Free New Jersey Adventures Your Kids Will Never Forget
