Clinton Falls

Clinton Falls

Clinton Falls is a moderately large waterfall tucked away just below Clinton Road in West Milford. The waterfall is located on the infamous Clinton Road and is located just below a stone bridge nicknamed Ghost Boy Bridge due to a legend of a ghost boy tossing thrown coins back up to the road. This stone bridge creates one of the most unique waterfalls in the state as the waterfall plunges into a narrow chasm while being framed by the scenic bridge above.

Despite its proximity to the road, access is challenging. Because the waterfall is located within the Pequannock Watershed, hikers are required to obtain a permit. Furthermore, parking is limited to designated spaces, which are labeled on the trail map. Despite the numerous pull-offs along Clinton Road, there is no official parking near the falls. I found it easiest to park in the P1 parking area and bushwhack roughly 0.25-0.5 miles toward the falls. Fortunately, an unofficial purple trail has been spray-painted to help guide the way. I strongly recommend avoiding a walk along Clinton Road itself, as it is fast-moving and the local police may give you a hard time because of the road’s haunted reputation. The immediate area around Clinton Falls features a clear ATV path.

Even upon reaching the falls, getting a clear view requires some effort. The area is filled with numerous unmarked, unmaintained trails, a few of which have been affected by minor landslides. The closest view requires a steep, narrow scramble down to the waterfall near the road. For a safer alternative, a much gentler trail leads to the top of the first unnamed waterfall downstream, providing a more distant view.

Clinton Falls Information

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WaterwayClinton Brook
Drainage Area (square miles)10
Drainage Area SizeLarge
Height (feet)20
Latitude and Longitude41.072003, -74.450046
LocationWest Milford, Passaic County
TypePlunge, Chute
Best Time to VisitSpring
Property TypePrivate/Public: Pequonnock Watershed (Newark)
Current StreamflowN/A

Alerts

  • A permit is required to hike to Clinton Falls. More information on permits can be found here.

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