Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at the site of the 77-foot Great Falls of the Passaic River (also known as the Paterson Great Falls). This large and powerful waterfall sits in the center of Paterson, New Jersey’s third-most-populous city. While it may be surprising to see such a large waterfall in an urban area, the falls actually led to the founding of Paterson after Alexander Hamilton realized they could be harnessed for industrial power. This historical significance is why the site is designated as a National Historical Park.

Because it is located in an urban environment, viewing the falls is incredibly easy and does not require a hike. History fans can walk alongside the ruins of the city’s industrial past, made possible by the power of the waterfall.

Basic Information

Pros and Con

Points of Interest

• Great Falls of the Passaic/Paterson Great Falls
  • The 77-foot centerpiece of the park
• Raceway Park
  • A small trail following a former industrial water raceway
• Quarry Lawn and River Walk
  • A new addition downriver of the falls featuring ruins and seating areas

Trails

The main trails through the park are the winding paved paths around the waterfall, which connect all park areas. As of 2026, a footbridge over the chasm the falls drop into has reopened. This has significantly improved the park experience, eliminating the need to walk along side streets. The newly opened Quarry Lawn and River Walk expand the trails a short way downriver.

Across the street from Great Falls is the Raceway Trail. This hard-packed trail follows the old water raceway that powered local industrial projects. This trail is easy to follow, but it is not as nice as the rest of the park. On the map, there is another trail, the Stoney Ridge Trail, that is essentially abandoned. There is a very small sign on McBride Avenue for this trail.

Parking

The main parking area is at Overlook Park, which is located at 72 McBride Ave Ext, Paterson, NJ 07501. This lot holds about 30 cars and can fill up on busy days. There is additional free street parking surrounding the falls. Note that there is a large parking area next to the aforementioned one, but this lot is reserved.

Crowds

Located in the city, the Paterson Great Falls always has some level of foot traffic, but it is never overwhelming. Occasionally, you may see some homeless tents along Maple Street.

Maintenance

The immediate area surrounding the falls, including Overlook Park, Mary Ellen Kramer Park, and the Quarry Lawn, is nice and well-kept. There is some litter on the cliffs at the top of the falls, which is an eyesore, but it is understandable considering the safety risks of removal.

Outside of the paths around the falls, the upkeep is much worse. The Raceway Park area is notably unkempt.

Who is this park for?

There are two main groups this park is for: waterfall fans and those interested in Paterson History.

For waterfall fans, visiting is a no-brainer: this is easily the most aggressive waterfall in the region and one of the most voluminous in the entire eastern part of the country.

Local history buffs will also be interested in the waterfall that led to the creation of Paterson.

Final Thoughts

The City of Paterson has a bad reputation, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting the Great Falls, as the waterfall is legitimately impressive, and the park is in a safe area despite what some naysayers who have never been there claim. This is far from an all-day experience, with most visitors needing only about half an hour, so it’s best combined with other activities, such as the neighboring Garret Mountain Reservation.

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