Salmon River Falls
Orwell, Oswego County, New York
Salmon River Falls is a stunning 110-foot waterfall located in the town of Orwell, Oswego County, New York. It is the centerpiece of the 112-acre Salmon River Falls Unique Area, managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) .
The waterfall is a ledge-type formation where the Salmon River cascades over a cliff composed of Oswego sandstone atop softer Pulaski shale. Over time, the erosion of the shale beneath the more resistant sandstone has created the dramatic drop seen today .
The surrounding gorge stretches approximately 3,000 feet and features steep cliffs and diverse plant communities, including northern hardwood forests and hemlock-northern hardwood forests. Notably, the area supports rare plant species such as bird’s-eye primrose and yellow mountain saxifrage, which thrive in the damp cliffside habitats .
Visitors can access the falls via a short, 0.4-mile out-and-back trail that is generally considered easy and takes about 9 minutes to complete . The main Falls Trail is ADA-compliant, featuring a hard gravel surface suitable for wheelchairs and strollers . For those seeking a closer view, the 600-foot Gorge Trail leads from the Falls Trail to the bottom of the gorge .
Salmon River Falls is located approximately 15 miles inland from the Salmon River’s confluence with Lake Ontario. The falls are situated within the Salmon River Falls Unique Area in Orwell, NY. Visitors can access the area via Falls Road, which leads to a parking area near the trailhead .
For more information, including maps and current conditions, visit the NYSDEC Salmon River Falls Unique Area page.