Apshawa Preserve Falls, West Milford | Nestled into the 576-acre Apshawa Preserve, these falls are created by natural cascades along Apshawa Brook. The preserve is an idyllic destination for hikers, birders and nature enthusiasts.
Bass Lake Falls, Blairstown | You’ll want to break out your GPS for this hidden beauty because it’s nestled between the quiet hamlets of Franklin Grove and Hardwick Center. Set your coordinates for 41º 1’ 23” North by 74º 57’ 11” West.
Boonton Falls, Boonton | Witness the might of the Rockaway River at Boonton Falls, located at the north end of Grace Lord Park. Blast from the Past: Spot historical ruins of the industrial sites that were powered by the falls long ago.
Bridal Veil Falls, North Haledon | Located on the outskirts of the William Paterson University campus, Bridal Veil Falls freefalls 40 feet into a sandstone quarry. Insider Insight: Follow the trail to a nook behind the cascade for a whole new perspective!
Buttermilk Falls, Layton | Hike the 1.4-mile Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. In addition to ascending 1,104 feet high, you’ll get a breathtaking view of Buttermilk Falls, the tallest, largest waterfall in New Jersey.
Chikahoki Falls, Bloomingdale | In the heart of Norvin Green State Forest (one of many parks in New Jersey with waterfalls) lies Chikahoki Falls, along with woodlands and rocky vistas. Helpful Hint: Make sure to map out your journey and choose your happy trails.
Dunnfield Creek Falls, Columbia | Discover this waterfall at Worthington State Forest. A hike along Dunnfield Creek Trail unveils several small cascades along with a natural glacial lake rimmed with forests.
Greenbrook Falls, Tenafly | Become a Palisades Nature Association member to access the 165-acre Greenbrook Sanctuary and witness this 250-foot-high waterfall as it tumbles into the Hudson River.
Hacklebarney State Park Falls, Long Valley | Experience the great outdoors at Hacklebarney State Park across its nine trails. Peak Advice: The Riverside and Waterfall Trails offer the best views.
Hemlock Falls, Millburn | The 25-foot-high Hemlock Falls is buried deep in the woods at South Mountain Reservation. Though you’ll feel a world away from it all, you can also take in the NYC vistas from its eastern ridge.
Kugler Falls, Kingwood | At just ten feet tall and only appearing in wet seasons, this cascade nestled into The Kugler Woods Preserve is definitely not the largest or most powerful of the waterfalls on this list. But the surrounding woodlands date back to the American Revolution and offer a peaceful setting.
Lake Solitude Waterfall, High Bridge | After becoming TikTok famous, this cascade can probably no longer be considered a “hidden gem.” While it isn’t a natural feature, we included this 40-foot-tall dam, so you can say you’ve been here too.
Laurel Falls, Columbia | Another rocky cascade in Worthington State Forest that you can discover navigating the 1.7-mile Douglas Trail. Hop, Skip and a Jump: The falls are oh-so-close to the trailhead.
Lockatong High Falls, Stockton | One of just a handful of cascades in Central Jersey, this off-the-beaten-path beauty is reached by a 1.8-mile (sometimes very muddy) hike.
Otter Hole Falls, Bloomingdale | Seekers of Chikahoki Falls can enjoy a two-for-one special when they stumble upon this small-but-mighty cascade along the trailway.
Paterson Great Falls, Paterson | At Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, the Passaic River plunges 77 feet over basalt cliffs that look just as they did over 12,000 – 14,000 years ago.
Peanut Leap Waterfall, Alpine | With a town name of Alpine, you can expect the great heights required for a spectacular cascade – and Peanut Leap does not disappoint. Follow this trail map for a 2.5-mile roundtrip moderate hike.
Ramapo Falls, Mahwah | At 4,000 acres, Ramapo Valley County Reservation is Bergen’s largest park area. Find your way to the waterfalls via the aptly named Vista Loop.
Schooley’s Mountain Falls, Washington | You don’t have to walk very far into Schooley’s Mountain County Park to get a big payoff – just follow the blue Falling Waters Trail for less than a mile from the trailhead.
Silver Spray Falls, Layton | The lesser-known of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's waterfalls, this cascade is sometimes called “Hidden Falls.” In-The-Know: From Buttermilk Falls Parking Lot, walk a half mile north on Mountain Road to an unmarked trailhead – placing you just a quarter-mile from Silver Spray Falls.
Stepping Stone Falls, Branchville | Witness fresh water spilling down a natural staircase in Stokes State Forest. You’ll want to follow the 2.8-mile Stony Brook Trail to take in the babbling beauty of Stepping Stone Falls.
Tillman Ravine Falls, Branchville | Another must-hike site in Stokes State Forest is the Tillman Ravine Trail, featuring classic cascades as well as “the teacup” (found here), a geological feature formed by swirling water, sand and rock.
Tinton Falls, Tinton Falls | When the entire town is named after a waterfall, you know it has to be good. Planetware.com even ranks it as #4 in the state. Pretty impressive, given its coastal plain location versus the rest of this bunch, mostly nestled into more mountainous regions. Make your way to Overlook by Falls Park for a comfortable viewing platform.
Tumble Falls, a series of waterfalls between Frenchtown and Stockton | Following Route 29 along a stretch of the official Delaware River Scenic Byway, you’ll find this trio of picturesque waterfalls.
Van Campen Glen Falls, Warren | Follow the Van Campen Glen Trail (see #13 on this map) in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to explore these falls.
Can’t get enough of the great outdoors? Check out our full list of parks, forests and nature sites. Also, be sure to download our free Official Travel Guide and sign up for our e-newsletter for even more vacation inspiration.
