There are many epic hikes in the Adirondacks. However, if you are looking for a quick hike to a beautiful waterfall, Dunkley Falls is a great choice.
Dunkley Falls is located near Weavertown in Warren County, New York, and is a roughly 25-minute drive from the popular resort town of Lake George. From the parking area, it is a short tenth of a mile walk to the top of this small waterfall, making it a quick and easy spot to visit while you are exploring the southern Adirondacks.
How to Get to Dunkley Falls
Dunkley Falls is located near Weavertown, NY near the intersections of Route 28 and Route 8.
The parking area is located along Harrington Road at the following coordinates: 43.632370, -73.899215. It is on the right side of the road if traveling from Route 28 and on the left side if traveling from Route 8.
Harrington Road is a beautiful tree-lined road that connects Route 28 to Route 8. When I visited, I traveled Harrington Road the 1.9 miles from Route 28.
If you are traveling Route 8, it is 1.5 miles from this main road to the parking area for the waterfall.
It’s worth noting that much of Harrington Road is lined with “No Parking” signs. However, for a small area at the trailhead, there is room for several cars to pull off to the side of the road.
There is little to denote that this parking area is a trailhead. In fact, the only marker here is a sign that says “No Littering. $500 Fine”. However, next to the sign, you’ll be able to see an obvious trail heading into the woods.
While it’s only about a tenth of a mile to Dunkley Falls, there are a few crisscrossing trails here, so make sure to follow the directions here so you don’t get turned around.
From the road, walk past the large rocks and the sign and continue for a short distance until you reach a fire ring and metal grill. At this point, take the trail to the left and follow it the short distance to the top of the waterfall, where you’ll find another fire ring.
For those that hike with a GPS, Dunkley Falls can be found at the following coordinates: 43.633278, -73.897556.
While you can enjoy the waterfall from the top, it’s also possible to pick your way down the hillside to the base of Dunkley Falls. The descent isn’t overly difficult, but it does require some tricky footing and might be slippery when wet.
Dunkley Falls is only about 10-12 feet in height, but it’s located at a beautiful spot on Mill Creek. Depending on how much water there is in the stream, this waterfall can look quite different.
If you visit during a period of normal water levels, as I did, the water flows primarily on the side of the stream with the trail. This gives you a chance to really see the shape of the waterfall and the rocks it cascades over.
On the other hand, if water levels are especially high, this waterfall could cover the entire 30-35 foot width of the stream and be a very impressive cascade.
Regardless of which state it’s in when you visit, this is definitely a great spot to check out. In fact, the only negative I have to say about this spot is that the viewing areas aren’t really the best if you want to take a variety of photos. Otherwise, it’s simply a beautiful and easy-to-reach spot that you won’t want to miss in the Adirondacks.
So, the next time you find yourself traveling through Warren County and the southern Adirondacks, make sure to make a quick stop at Dunkley Falls.
Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, Auger Falls, and Fort William Henry.
[Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]
