Wondering How to Get to Kaaterskill Falls? Take the Trolley

It’s no secret that Kaaterskill Falls is one of New York State’s most beautiful and visited waterfalls. Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, Kaaterskill Falls is known for its stunning two-tiered waterfall that drops 260 feet from the top. With so many miles of trails and limited parking near the falls, it can be overwhelming to plan your trip. But I’m here to give you some of the best tips on how to get to Kaaterskill Falls.

Parking at Kaaterskill Falls

When the world shut down during the pandemic in 2020, people flocked outdoors because it was a safe space… For better or worse. Because while it inspired a renewed love of nature for many people, it also brought massive crowds to otherwise serene locations. I particularly remember Katterskill Falls making headlines for becoming overcrowded. Visitors were leaving trash along the trails. Their cars were getting ticketed and towed. Because there’s very little parking available close to the falls, people were parking along the winding mountain roads. Rightfully so, local police were ticketing the cars for parking in dangerous areas.

It was a mess. But it doesn’t have to be. The park police have cracked down on parking. Visitors driving to Kaaterskill falls are required to park in a certified DEC parking location.

BUT — There is a better solution than parking close to the falls. Taking the Kaaterskill Trolley.

The Kaaterskill Trolley

Not many people know that there is a trolley that circles through the Catskills every day. The route travels between Tannersville and Palenville, with stops at eleven of the most popular places to visit. It is actually very helpful to assist you in planning your itinerary around Kaaterskill Falls.

Before you head out for the day or even for your trip, visit the Kaaterskill Trolley website and buy your tickets for the trolley. I highly recommend buying a day pass, which lets you get on and off the trolley as often as you would like. One ride is $5, while a day pass with unlimited stops is just $10. When we visited, we asked our trolley driver for advice on the best places to get on and off. So I’m here to share that information with you.

To start, check the trolley’s website for the schedule on the day that you will be visiting. There are red day and blue day schedules that differ depending on the frequency of the trolleys.

First, park your car in the municipal lot in the middle of Tannersville. Then, take a five minute walk down to the Tannersville boathouse at Rip Van Winkle Lake. That is the westernmost stop for the trolley. When you board the trolley, show your ticket on your phone and let the driver know where you are planning to get off.

The Easiest Kaaterskill Falls Hike

If you were looking for a day of hiking and seeing the best views around Katterskill Falls, I recommend getting off the trolley at Laurel House Road (stop 10). From here, you will start at the top of the waterfall and hike down to the bottom. Which is far easier than hiking up, of course.

Depending on the day you go (like a Saturday in the summer) there may be a park ranger stationed at the trailhead. They will have a full park map and be able to answer any questions you may have before you go hiking.

Shortly after the start of the hike down, make sure to veer off to the right for the upper viewing platform. This is where you will get views of the falls from the top. There are also also several informational signs about the history and nature of the falls.

Once you finish getting your photos and taking in the views from the top, get back on the trail and follow the trail markers for the Lower Falls. Keep in mind that the terrain, while well-worn, does have lots of tree roots, rocks, and stairs to traverse. Good hiking shoes are a must!

Once you hit the bottom of the falls, there are few small pools that you can dip your toes in. It’s also a great spot for the dogs to cool off. There are plenty of large boulders that you can climb on, sit on, and take photos from. If you go on a busy summer day, the lower falls area is usually packed full of people.

Hike to Bastion Falls

Here’s where the best advice comes in. While most people would then turn around and go back up the mountain, climbing their way to the top of the falls, I have a better idea. Keep following the trail that brought you down to the lower falls. It continues alongside the creek. Once you hit that section of the trail, the crowds will have dispersed. It will feel like you are alone in the woods. But in the best way possible.

There are lots of little scenic spots where you can stop for a water break or to take some pictures. But the absolute best part? This trail brings you down to Bastion Falls. This may be a hot take, but I loved Bastion Falls so much more than Kaaterskill Falls.

Although it is much smaller in size, it is so much more picturesque. Several different water streams trickle down across the rocks. And since it’s not so powerful, you can get right up close to the waterfall and sit on the rocks. And did I mention that they were no other people around?

Depending on the water level (which was quite low when we visited), you can also walk down underneath the bridge of Route 23A. Underneath the bridge you’ll see some gorgeous Catskill Mountain views.

Finish the Day in Tannersville

Once you finished taking in the beauty of Bastion Falls, walk up to the road. You can choose to go either left or right – either direction will lead you to another trolley stop. I recommend going to the left because you can walk against the traffic but also away from the cliffside. Hop on the trolley to go back to the village of Tannersville to wrap up your day. You can also choose to stop at another trolley stop to explore the swimming holes or other hiking trails.

Once you get back to the village of Tannersville, spend some time exploring cute local shops and restaurants along Main Street.