Kaaterskill Falls
Catskills, New York · 1,843 ft
Typical peak
Oct 4 – Oct 12
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best under flat overcast
Classic view faces ENE (70°)
A two-tier drop of 231 feet lands in a hemlock amphitheater, and from the base the full column reads against the wet rock wall. Flat light holds the highlights on the water while the maples above the rim stay saturated.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
extreme
Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.
Getting there
Park at the Laurel House Road lot in Haines Falls off NY 23A and follow the marked trail and stairway about 0.5 mile down to the falls.
What turns here
- eastern hemlock
- sugar maple
- yellow birch
- american beech
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 8Typical color progression for Kaaterskill Falls. No change from Aug 31 to Sep 17. First color from Sep 17 to Sep 26. Approaching peak from Sep 26 to Oct 4. Peak from Oct 4 to Oct 12. Past peak from Oct 12 to Oct 22. Bare from Oct 22 to Nov 5.
Kaaterskill Falls is typically at bare on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 18
1 night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
58°F / 37°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Kaaterskill Falls on October 8, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:32 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 97° | 7:00 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 38 min of low, warm light | 7:38 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:43 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset | 5:49 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 263° | 6:26 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:54 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 11h 26m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sunrise: backlit
Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.
Sunset: front-lit
Sun behind you. Flat, even light — accurate color, little drama. Good for wide valley scenes, weak for single trees.
Classic composition faces ENE (70°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.