As you pull into the campground, you will be immediately facing the office.  Bear left and park in that area and go into the office.  When we were there in 2014, we were told there was no entrance fee to see the falls, but we only have 30 minutes.  On a second trip in 2016 we were told that there is a day-use fee.

Any New York State resident age 62 or older, is eligible for the Golden Park Program.  On any weekday, except holidays, you can obtain free vehicle access to state parks simply by presenting your currently valid New York State Driver License or New York State Non-driver Identification Card.

Behind the office, there are two buildings.  The first appears to be some kind of storage/utility facility and the second is a bathroom.  Immediately behind the bathroom is a trail heading down the embankment that appears to have been formed by run-off.  Walk down this.  During much of it, tree roots have formed somewhat of a natural set of steps.  It is quite steep and somewhat of a scramble but very doable.  The walk down is about 500 feet, but you drop close to 250 feet to get to the river's edge.  There are two spots above the gorge where you can look down on the waterfall, but there is also a section of rocks between where you can get close to the river level.  The return up the embankment is a bit more strenuous.

The waterfall itself is a beauty.  At about 50 feet, it is essentially a vertical plunge.  Although this one is not officially named, it is just downstream from two other waterfalls that are listed on the USGS GNIS.  The High Falls Gorge area is within a mile upstream from this campground and Monument Falls is a short distance above that.

The Ausable River West Branch joins forces with the East Branch in Ausable Forks.  The combined Ausable River empties into Lake Champlain in the town of Peru.

Last update:  May 14, 2016

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