We love visiting waterfalls, and we usually find that by the end of the summer that waterfalls are not often at their peak.  I had High Falls Conservation Area on my list of places I wanted to visit, so when we had a nice spring day, we decided to check it out.

The Conservation Area was easy to find using Google Maps, and is just about an hour from Albany, NY.  This is a short hike, and only 15 minutes from Art Omi in Ghent, NY, which I thought was a great way to spend the day.

There is a decent size parking lot as well as a trailhead.

The trailhead has some information and maps, as well as a register where you can sign in.

The trails are clearly marked along the trail.  We took the red trail in, and explored the green and blue trails on the way out.

The trails here are easy, with no major incline.  The hike in to see the waterfalls is also short (no more than .5 mile in, depending on which trail you take).

Along the way we found a salamander (I think it is a Northern Red-Backed Salamander).

Trillium flowers.

Neat carnivorous plants!

I was actually surprised as we approached the waterfall.  I could hear the roar of the water and realized it was probably much larger than I had thought.  This is Columbia County’s highest waterfall, and I have to say it is very impressive.

There is a overlook for the large waterfall.  Unfortunately you cannot get close to the base of the falls or swim here.

On the way back, we switched to the green and blue trails to enjoy the walk along the water.  There is a smaller falls along the way that is also very nice.

One of the reasons I chose this hike, besides the waterfall, is that the trail to see the waterfalls is not long.  It is nice to have some shorter hikes for the kids to enjoy without having to hike for a long time.

Visit the High Falls Conservation Area website at https://clctrust.org/public-conservation-areas/high-falls/