N.J. Waterfalls Home
NEW JERSEY WATERFALLS
(PASSAIC COUNTY)

The GREAT FALLS of the Passaic (Passaic County) free-falls about 80 feet into a red sandstone gorge.  Alexander Hamilton founded his Society for Useful Manufacture -- which grew into one of America's first centers of heavy industry -- on the power of the falls.  Great Falls roars in the heart of Paterson, easily accessible from Interstate 80.  It is unquestionably the patriarch of New Jersey's waterfalls Great Falls
Great Falls
Hamilton Statue

 


Chickahokie Falls

Otter Hole

Wynochie Falls

CHICKAHOKIE FALLS (Passaic County, 20-25 feet), on Posts Brook in Norvin Green State Forest, can be reached only via a one-mile hike. 

To find Chickahokie Falls hike east on the Hewitt-Butler Trail from its intersection with Otter Hole Road.  There are two bonus falls along the way: the Otter Hole (about 10 feet), and an unnamed falls on Posts Brook.

WYNOCHIE FALLS (15 feet), also in Norvin Green State Forest, is found along the yellow/red Mine Trail.


CLINTON FALLS (Passaic County, about 20 feet) once provided power for the old Clinton Ironworks.  the partially restored blast furnace stands just downstream from the falls.  When running high, Clinton Falls thunders through a cleft in the rocks, shaking the ground and raising a cloud of mist.

The falls is located under a stone bridge on Clinton Road, about one mile north of N.J. Route 23, on lands of Newark Watershed.  Permission must be gained to hike in the area.

Clinton Falls
Clinton Falls (high)

Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil winter
Bridal Veil Falls
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS (Passaic County, 40-45 feet) is spectacular after a good rain, free-falling off a ledge into an old sandstone quarry.  A trail passes behind the falls, allowing visitors to stand in a "cave" of falling water.  In winter, the falls freezes into a stack of huge icicles. 

One of New Jersey's most accessible falls, Bridal Veil is on the grounds of William Paterson College, just to the west of the Overlook Avenue entrance.


HEWITT FALLS (Passaic County, about 15 feet) is formed where the Wanaque River funnels through a hemlock-shrouded ravine into a deep pool.  The falls is not very high, but is always flowing and has significant historical interest.  Hewitt Falls powered the old Long Pond Ironworks from the late 1750s to the late 1800s.  The partially restored blast furnaces with their huge waterwheels, can be found a short distance downstream from the falls. 

Hewitt Falls is within Long Pond Ironworks State Park, about one-half mile up the Sterling Ridge Trail from its intersection with Greenwood Lake Road.  The area is posted against trespassing, but bona fide hiking is allowed.

Hewitt Falls


 
All photos and text copyright ©1999 Gary R. Letcher
 
 
Use this form to contact the author and photographer 

Any questions or comments regarding the site are welcome -click here.

 




last update 15 sept 99