Discover Harper's Falls Trail

Short woodland trail to the edge of a 60-foot waterfall on the North Branch of the Grasse River.
TRAIL ACTIVITY
LENGTH
1.40 miles, Round Trip
DIFFICULTY
Easy
SURFACE
Dirt/Forest Floor
PETS
Permitted
FEES
No

Description

The Harper's Falls Trail travels 0.6 miles to the edge of a 60-foot waterfall on the North Branch of the Grasse River. The upper falls is a series of small cascades, which channel into a narrow chute for the final drop. Old stone walls next to the waterfall are remnants of an old mill once located at this site.

Starting from the trailhead off Donnerville Road (sometimes spelled Downerville), the trail descends through a mixed deciduous and hemlock forest to cross two small bridges. The trail then climbs briefly before making its final descent to the falls. Look for signs of beaver and porcupine activity along the trail.

A lovely designated campsite is located next to the falls, perfect for a quick overnight backpacking trip. 

For those looking for a longer hike, the trail continues west along the river, leaving the Adirondack Park boundary and entering Donnerville State Forest. Many trails spur from the river trail, and the area is a popular mountain bike destination.

Other Information

This trail is part of the Grass River Wild Forest, a 54,000-acre collection of public forest preserves located in the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton and Fine in St. Lawrence County and managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

 
This trail is part of the Great 8 Challenge. Learn more!

 

 

 

Trail Manager

For more information, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation online, or contact:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Potsdam Sub-Office
190 Outer Main Street - Suite 103
Potsdam, NY 13676
Phone: 315-265-3090
information.r6@dec.ny.gov
View website

Nearby Businesses

Trail Tips

Prevent Tick-Borne Illnesses
Avoid walking in long grasses, wear long pants/sleeves, use insect repellents, and check yourself for ticks regularly.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

Park in the small dirt lot on the south side of the Donnerville Road. The GPS coordinates are 44.441549, -75.069148.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Sign In or Create Account to add comments.
SHARE THIS TRAIL

Add Trail Log

Please wait…
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of STLC Trails: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…