Vernooy Kill Falls
New York · 60-foot drop · Sundown Wild Forest (NY Catskill Park) · Last verified 2026-06-26
Today at Vernooy Kill Falls: mostly cloudy, 64°F.
Right now
Overnight
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
Friday
77°F
Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Today's daylight
Sunrise 5:31 AM · Sunset 8:33 PM · 15h 3m
Snapshot built 4m ago. Sources: NWS ALY.
No verified photo yet
Vernooy Kill Falls is a 60-foot four-stage cascade on the Vernooy Kill in the Sundown Wild Forest of the southeastern Catskills, with each tier carving a small pool — one of the best swimming destinations in the southeast Catskills. The 3.5-mile loop trail from Upper Cherrytown Road gains 650 ft. Below the falls sit the stone remains of an early-1700s mill complex that operated until 1809. Free, no fee, leashed dogs allowed.
A short history
The 15-20 foot stone wall below the falls is the remains of a mill complex that operated from the early 1700s until 1809. The Vernooy family ran a sawmill and gristmill here for nearly a century before the operation was abandoned.
The trail
3.5 miles each way, rated moderate with 650 feet of elevation gain. Upper Cherrytown Road trailhead (main, 1.8 mi each way to the falls). Alternate trailheads at Trails End Rd and Yeagerville Rd. All free.
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernooy Kill Falls (this page) | — | 60 ft | moderate · 3.5 mi | Y | Free |
| Buttermilk Falls | 4 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Metacahonts Falls | 4 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Mine Hole Falls | 9 mi | 23 ft | — | Y | Free |
| Little Stony Kill Falls | 9 mi | — | — | Y | Free |
| Hanging Rock Falls | 9 mi | — | — | — | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~60 ft)
- Bridal Veil Falls60 ft
- Buttermilk Falls60 ft
- Looking Glass Falls60 ft
- Looking Glass Falls60 ft
- Looking Glass Falls60 ft
Same best season in New York
- Pratt's Falls137 ft
- Plattekill Falls60 ft
- Rainbow Falls60 ft
Questions visitors ask about Vernooy Kill Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Vernooy Kill Falls?
Vernooy Kill Falls is 60 feet (18 m) tall. Height is sourced from NYS DEC.
Is Vernooy Kill Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Vernooy Kill Falls is inside Sundown Wild Forest (NY Catskill Park). See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Vernooy Kill Falls?
Yes — dogs are allowed (Sundown Wild Forest (NY Catskill Park) permits leashed dogs in most areas). Always leash and pack out waste.
Can you swim at Vernooy Kill Falls?
Vernooy Kill Falls has a swimmable area. The pools between the four cascades are popular Catskill swimming holes in summer — clean, shaded, refreshingly cold. Long considered one of the best swim spots in the southeast Catskills.
When is the best time to visit Vernooy Kill Falls?
Peak flow is typically June, July, August, September, October. Season-wise: summer, fall. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Vernooy Kill Falls?
No entrance fee. Sundown Wild Forest (NY Catskill Park) is free to access. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Vernooy Kill Falls from a major city?
Vernooy Kill Falls is 7 miles from Kerhonkson (about 15 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in New York
Where it is
41.8725, -74.3709
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-06-26
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