MacMillan Falls (also known as Ramapo Falls), is an easy-to-reach waterfall in Bergen County’s Ramapo Valley Reservation. Less than a mile from the parking area is the 20-foot waterfall, passing the scenic Scarlet Oak Pond along the way. As one of the only waterfalls in Bergen County, this is a perfect place to visit for people wanting a close and easy waterfall hike.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Other Attractions: Hawk Rock, MacMillan Reservoir
MacMillan Falls
Height: 20 feet
Waterfall Coordinates: 41.079778 -74.197051
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Easy of Access: Easy
Rating:
Explore North Jersey Review: An easy to reach and good waterfall when the water is high
To reach MacMillan Falls, begin in the large parking area off Ramapo Valley Road. From here, walk into the park where you will immediately cross a bridge over the Ramapo River. Continue straight ahead, where you will soon see Scarlet Oak Pond. Continue straight until you reach the end of the pond where you will reach an obvious intersection. Turn right onto the Yellow Trail, walking away from the pond. Continue for a few hundred feet until you reach another bridge. Cross the bridge, and turn right where you will reach MacMillan Falls.
MacMillan Falls is a decently sized waterfall at 20 feet tall, but unfortunately, it rarely has much water flowing down. This is because a short distance upstream, MacMillan Brook is dammed to create a small reservoir. The dam catches most water except during periods of high water. Because of this, it is not uncommon for the waterfall to be just a trickle. For the best view, I recommend visiting in the spring when water levels are traditionally high.
When looking at the map you may notice an alternate way to reach the falls on the Orange Trail. This area is usually wet and muddy as it is in the floodplain for the Ramapo River. Since I recommend you visit after rain in the spring, I do not recommend you take this route as it will be muddy.
GPS Route
Attached is the route as described above for reference. Additionally users can download the route to use on their preferred GPS.
Additional Information
- Ramapo Valley Reservation is extremely popular. Despite having a large parking area, the park does fill to capacity on nice days. There is no alternate parking if the parking lot is full.
- Waterfall heights are from the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. Heights of waterfalls not listed by them are estimated and noted with an asterisk “*”
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