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Cohoes Falls

The second-largest waterfall in New York State by volume after Niagara — a thundering 1,000-foot-wide cascade on the Mohawk River, ten miles from downtown Albany.

Where
Cohoes
Time needed
1 hr visit
Tickets
Free
Free entry
Yes
Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River with viewing platform Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River with viewing platform

What to expect at Cohoes Falls

Cohoes Falls is New York's biggest secret waterfall — 90 feet high, 1,000 feet wide, and second only to Niagara in volume of water flowing over a natural cascade in the state. It's on the Mohawk River in the small city of Cohoes, ten miles north of downtown Albany, and it's freely accessible from a well-built viewing platform at Falls View Park on School Street. In spring snowmelt and after heavy rain the falls are genuinely thunderous; in dry August they're reduced by upstream hydropower diversions but still striking.

Two viewing areas: Falls View Park on the south (Cohoes) side has the main paved overlook with interpretive signs about the Mohawk people, for whom the falls were sacred (the origin site of the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace, according to oral tradition), and the industrial history that harnessed the falls for the 1830s Erie Canal era power mills. Cross the river to Waterford for a different angle from Peebles Island State Park. Neither viewpoint requires more than a 10-minute walk from parking.

Best in April-May for peak snowmelt flow, or the day after any significant rain. September mornings after autumn rains are the golden combination — good flow, cool light, changing leaves. Cohoes itself has a small but real downtown with a couple of decent lunch spots (Smith's Tavern, La Capital Tacos) if you want to stretch the visit. Family-friendly: the platform is fully railed, wheelchair-accessible, and stroller-friendly.

Plan your visit TicketsFree Free entryYes Time needed1 hr visit WhereCohoes Opening hours Falls View Park 6:00-21:00 Best in spring and after rain Hotels near Cohoes Falls

Questions about Cohoes Falls

Is there a cost?

Free. Falls View Park is a city park with no admission or parking fee.

Is it always free?

Yes, always free, 6:00-21:00 daily.

How long to visit?

45 minutes to an hour at the falls. Half a day if combined with Peebles Island State Park across the river.

When are the falls closed?

Falls View Park closes 21:00-06:00. The falls flow year-round; peak flow is April-May snowmelt and after any heavy rain.

Do I need to book?

No — free walk-up access to the platform.

How do I get there?

Falls View Park, School Street, Cohoes — 15 minutes' drive north of downtown Albany. Free on-site parking. No direct transit; CDTA route 22 gets within a mile.

Where to stay

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