Of all the seasonal delights spring gives us, one of our favorites is waterfalls.
Sure, you can find waterfalls all year round, but springtime is when they really spring to life. As the sun grows stronger, ice and snowmelt turn lazy streams into raging cascades. Our babbling brooks, winding creeks, and dry riverbeds fill with water, making its way down, and turning what was once a gentle trickle into a gushing waterfall. Chasing waterfalls is an adventure with twists and turns along the way. From the small to the grand, you’ll love the waterfalls of LivCo, and the trails that take you there.
While exploring:
- Bring along a pair of binoculars to spy our avian friends high in the sky as warming weather welcomes the return of many migratory bird species.
- Pack a snack and an extra water bottle and embark on an afternoon of exploration with your dog.
- Grab a blanket and a book and spend some time just relaxing by the falls.
At Papermill Park in Avon
Difficulty: Good for All Levels, Handicap Accessible
Dogs: Leashed Dogs Welcome
Other waterfalls may have more height, but they don’t have more grandeur than Papermill Falls. From the hills above, water pours down over shelves and cracks across the 30-foot-wide waterfall. The closest viewpoint follows a short trail from the parking lot to the falls, where you can stay at the base or head to the top. The waterfall is also easily viewed from the parking lot or the neighboring bridge, making these falls easily chased by adventurers of all accessibility levels.
In Sonyea State Forest
Difficulty: Low to Medium
Dogs: Leashed Dogs Welcome
Ready to spend an afternoon chasing falls? Head to the Sonyea State Forest and find Keshequa Creek, a winding gorge trail with multiple falls along the way. This 4-mile trail is fairly level but longer, and you’ll want to plan accordingly with snacks and water. The trail is well-maintained but not marked, so download the trail map before you head out. Spring can be buggy in the gorge and you’ll appreciate having bug spray on hand.
Private Land in Geneseo
Difficulty: Medium
Dogs: Not allowed
One of the tallest falls in Western New York, Fall Brook Fall’s 70-foot drop is worth the hike. The 1-mile out-and-back trail isn’t long, but covers challenging terrain through the gorge, across slippery creek banks, and over wet rocks.
Don’t attempt this hike on your own. Fall Brook Falls is on private property and only accessible with a guided tour from Trail Otter, an outfitter store based in Leicester, New York. The trailhead is just a short drive from their store, and their expert guidance ensures that the giant sycamores, fossils, and other natural wonders along your way won’t go unnoticed.
In Hemlock-Canadice State Forest
Difficulty: Good for All Levels
Dogs: Leashed Dogs Welcome
This short trail beckons hikers of all levels to enjoy the fleeting beauty of spring waterfalls. Park your car in a gravel lot where the trailhead starts and explore a mostly-level 1.5-mile out-and-back trail. Your route follows a creek bed to a series of six waterfalls, the tallest of which tumbles down nine feet on its way to Hemlock Lake. Three of the falls are on clearly marked private property, but can be easily enjoyed from the public trail.
