The Secret Waterfalls of Norvin Green State Forest

Most visitors to Passaic County’s Norvin Green State Forest are familiar with the scenic Otter Hole Falls and Chikahoki Falls. While these two waterfalls see a lot of foot traffic, many people are unaware that several other impressive waterfalls are located on the same stream between them. The reason these falls remain unnoticed is that they are located off-trail and require a short bushwhack to reach. Adventurous visitors are rewarded with three peaceful waterfalls that rival some of the state’s best. Keep reading to learn more about how to visit these hidden gems in Norvin Green State Forest.

Reaching the Waterfalls

Norvin Green State Forest features several notable waterfalls just downstream of Otter Hole Falls. There are no official (or even unofficial) trails to reach them, so I will not provide a detailed hiking route. Instead, I have included GPS coordinates for each waterfall. If you decide to visit, I recommend approaching them from below, as it is rocky and far easier to scale the rocks uphill.

I typically begin at the Otter Hole parking area, hike past Otter Hole Falls, and continue to Chikahoki Falls as described in this post. From there, I return toward the parking area, leaving the trail about a quarter mile past the Yellow Trail intersection. In my experience, this is the most straightforward approach, and it has the bonus of including the impressive Chikahoki Falls. If you are pressed for time, I still recommend parking above and hiking below, but skipping Chikahoki Falls. Alternatively, there is a small pull-off located lower on Glenwild Road accessing the Yellow Wyanokie Crest Trail which reaches the waterfalls from below.

Unnamed Waterfall on Posts Brook 1

This is the lowest of the three main waterfalls, and the easiest to reach. This waterfall also tends to look its most impressive during low-water periods. I have found the upper two waterfalls nearly dry, while this one still has a steady flow.

To get the best view of the waterfall, you will want to cross Posts Brook. This can be somewhat challenging due to the rocky terrain and is easiest to cross from below the waterfall. A large rock (pictured to the right in the above picture) is a nice spot to sit and view the waterfall from across its small pool.

Note that for the next two waterfalls, pictures were taken during high water. While likely impressive, it is impossible to reach this waterfall during high water because the required stream crossings cannot be done safely.

To continue to the next waterfall, I recommend ascending from the right side as the left side is much steeper.

Unnamed Waterfall on Posts Brook 2

The second waterfall from the bottom is the toughest to get close to, as the terrain immediately next to Posts Brook here is relatively steep. Unlike the previous waterfall, this one tends to appear less impressive during low-water periods, which is surprising, considering they are only a few hundred feet apart on the same stream.

During high water, this waterfall is much more energetic.

From this waterfall, continue climbing uphill. Above the waterfall, you will find two streams merging. These are actually both Posts Brook, which briefly splits below Otter Hole Falls. Work your way to the left branch of Posts Brook, where you will find the third and final waterfall before Otter Hole Falls.

Unnamed Waterfall on Posts Brook 3

This is the uppermost of the three waterfalls, and the smallest of the group. For those not wanting to hike off-trail, this waterfall is actually visible from Glenwild Road just below the Otter Hole parking area.

Despite its size, it becomes an aggressive chute during high-water conditions.

If you are hiking uphill as recommended, you will shortly reach Otter Hole Falls, and be back at the Otter Hole parking area.

Review

These are three of the most underrated waterfalls in New Jersey. If there were a marked trail to them, especially the lowest one, they would likely be a popular destination on their own. Instead, they remain for those who are willing to put in a bit more effort to find them. Combined with Otter Hole Falls and Chikahoki Falls, Posts Brook may have the best set of waterfalls in the state, alongside Van Campens Brook. The only real downside to these waterfalls is that they have a somewhat small drainage area and will run dry during the late summer months and during exceptionally dry periods.