There’s something about a waterfall on a summer hike that stops us in our tracks to pause and watch the water flow. You may already suspect that simply being near a waterfall can feel calming, but there are also studies that suggest there may be more behind that feeling than we realize.
Our love of waterfalls goes beyond the beauty and peaceful feelings they bring. Humans have depended on fresh water throughout our evolutionary history, and that long relationship may help explain why we continue to be drawn to landscapes where water is present. We are instinctually drawn to water for our own preservation.
In the book Blue Mind, marine biologist and researcher Wallace J. Nichols explores how being near, in, on, or under water can positively affect our physical and mental well-being. He describes “blue mind” as a “mildly meditative state” associated with water and suggests that our attraction to water may run deeper than simply appreciating its beauty. As Nichols writes, “Stand next to a rushing waterfall and you’ll feel the vibrations in your bones.”
That connection also relates to Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that certain natural environments capture our attention effortlessly, giving our minds a chance to recover from the stress caused by everyday life. Researchers call this “soft fascination,” and waterfalls are a great example because their continuous movement and sound hold our attention without demanding it. One study comparing images of waterfalls and urban environments found that waterfall imagery produced measurable physiological responses while producing more positive, comfortable, and relaxed feelings.
All this research suggests that waterfalls have an amazing ability to draw us in and spark a calming feeling, both mentally and physically.
Luckily, the Hudson Valley and the Catskills offer dozens of special places to experience that feeling firsthand. Here are six outstanding spots to experience the positive effects of tumbling water for yourself this summer.
Diamond Notch Falls
Tucked into the Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness in the Catskills, Diamond Notch Falls is a great spot for a shorter and less strenuous hike with an amazing waterfall payoff. From the end of Spruceton Road, follow the Diamond Notch Trail for about one mile to reach the 25-foot waterfall.
Plattekill Falls
Located within the Catskill Center’s Platte Clove Preserve in the northeastern Catskills, 61-foot Plattekill Falls can be reached by a short hike. The waterfall trail is approximately one-third of a mile each way, descending through a steep, narrow gorge before ending at the base of the falls. It’s important to remain on the marked trail to protect fragile ecosystems, and remember that swimming at the falls is prohibited.
Mine Kill Falls
Mine Kill Falls is a combined 80-foot waterfall that plunges through a narrow gorge at Mine Kill State Park in the Schoharie Valley. A separate parking area about a quarter-mile south of the park’s main entrance provides access to viewing platforms overlooking the falls, while hikers searching for a closer perspective can follow the Long Path toward the lower falls.
Stony Kill Falls
Hidden along the western side of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Stony Kill Falls drops approximately 87 feet over the Shawangunk Ridge’s rock cliffs. A designated trail from the Shaft 2A Road area provides access to the waterfall, including footbridges, stone steps, and a viewing platform near its base. Water flow can vary considerably with rainfall, making this an especially rewarding waterfall to visit after some showers.
Verkeerder Kill Falls
At 187 feet, Verkeerder Kill Falls is a dramatic sight, dropping from the edge of the Shawangunk Ridge at the Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Reaching the falls requires more effort than some of the other waterfalls on this list, with an approximately 5.5-mile round-trip hike from the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Parking reservations are required on weekends and holidays from April 18 to Nov. 15. The falls are especially impressive after rain, and during particularly dry stretches, nearby Awosting Falls may offer stronger flow.
Falling Waters Preserve
For a different kind of waterfall outing, Falling Waters Preserve in Saugerties combines waterfalls with beautiful views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. Two waterfalls, located at opposite ends of the preserve, flow along unnamed tributaries of the Hudson River and give the preserve its name. A network of trails through forest and meadows connects the falls with more than a mile of Hudson River shoreline.
When exploring all these waterfalls, please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles. While spending time near a waterfall can benefit our own well-being, these places are also important habitats for the plants and animals that depend on them. By staying on designated trails, carrying out what we carry in, and respecting the landscape, we can help protect these special places so future generations can experience them, too.
