During the planned water releases in spring, the dam-controlled Great Falls of the Housatonic puts on a spectacular show for sightseers. This water flow is unsurpassed in power by any other waterfall in the region. When the water is flowing (and in the summer months it generally is not) whitewater kayakers often take to the strong currents below the falls. From the upper viewpoint near the top of the falls, it is always interesting to watch them paddle the powerful currents of rapids below the falls. The volume of water flowing over this 50-foot feature is impressive. If you are unable to make it to Niagara Falls in New York this summer, this waterfall might just be about as close as you can get in New England.

The trail follows a short, worn, nearly flat path to an upper viewpoint of the falls. For better views, you can also hack your way downstream to river-level, but this is moderately difficult, so take caution in doing so.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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