Stony Kill Falls sits inside Minnewaska State Park Preserve, so the walk in comes with the park around it: marked trails, signed junctions and, usually, other things worth a stop on the same day.
Part of the appeal of Stony Kill Falls is that it rewards a little effort: the closer you get, the cooler the air and the louder the water, and the photos rarely do it justice.
Geology and background
What makes Stony Kill Falls special
Stony Kill Falls is a back-door waterfall. It sits on the northwestern edge of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, in the town of Wawarsing, New York, and for a long time it was a little-known back entrance into the preserve, used by curiosity seekers and more experienced mountaineers as a more convenient way in.
The land has a recent history. It was acquired in 2001 by the State of New York, the Open Space Institute and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference from the Napanoch Sand and Gravel Company, which once owned it. The fall is also the site of one of many access points to the Delaware Aqueduct.
Know the rules before you go. This area only provides access to Stony Kill Falls: no other trails are allowed to be reached from here, and parking is not permitted on town roads.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Download an offline map before you lose signal. Do not park on town roads: parking is not permitted there.
Best time and crowds
No stream gauge is linked to Stony Kill Falls, so recent rain is your best guide. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
This is a quiet back entrance, not a main gate, and it is unlikely to be crowded. Even so, an early start is the best way to have the place to yourself.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Remember this entrance serves Stony Kill Falls only: no other trails are allowed to be reached from here.
Do not park on town roads.
Pair it with Little Stony Kill Falls, 1.5 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Waterfalls mark a change in the ground beneath a stream: a fault, a glacier-cut valley wall, or a band of hard rock the water cannot wear down as quickly as what lies below it.
Water flow and seasons
No stream gauge is linked to Stony Kill Falls yet, so recent rain is your best guide. The weather panel on this page adds up the last three days of rain at the fall.
Flow tends to peak in spring with snowmelt and seasonal rain, and again for a day or two after a big storm. By late summer smaller falls can drop to a thin ribbon.
The trail and the viewpoint
We do not have a trail length for Stony Kill Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Minnewaska State Park Preserve: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Stony Kill Falls
Stony Kill Falls is in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, New York. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (41.7275, -74.3017) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our New York waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Stony Kill Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Weekday mornings are the quietest. On summer weekends, popular falls can fill their parking by mid-morning, and the viewpoint becomes a queue.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Stony Kill Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Stony Kill Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Stony Kill Falls, New York located?
Stony Kill Falls is in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, New York. Its GPS coordinates are 41.7275, -74.3017.
What kind of waterfall is Stony Kill Falls, New York?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Stony Kill Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Stony Kill Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
No gauge is linked, so use the last three days of rain in the weather panel: more rain usually means more water.
The bottom line
Stony Kill Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Check the flow before you go, start early to beat the crowds, and stay well back from the edge.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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