Description

The Kay Cottage Waterfall is a scenic man-made waterfall along the Black River at the Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center. The waterfall was created by Alfred and Elizabeth Kay, who built a cottage along the river. The cottage included a swimming pool created by damming the Black River. Today, the cottage has been reduced to ruins, but the dam and pool remain. Note that swimming is not allowed in the park, though most people would not want to swim in the pool anyway; years of neglect and the naturally dark color of the Black River make it an uninviting place to swim.

The waterfall is visible from both sides of the river. Despite what most GPS maps show, there is no water crossing at the waterfall itself; it is located about a quarter mile upriver. The directions below explain how to get to both sides of the river. View 1 includes the Kay Cottage Ruins and is worth visiting for that alone; view 2 features a better view of the waterfall.

Directions

The trail to the waterfall is easy, but it follows a zigzag route, switching between multiple trails. While it may seem complicated, this is actually the fastest way to the waterfall.

1. From the Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center parking area at 200 Pottersville Rd, Chester, NJ 07930, take the Blue/Patriots Path Trail, walking past a sign pointing left towards a butterfly garden.
2. Take the trail 0.2 miles until you reach a fork with the Yellow Trail. Turn left onto the Yellow Trail.
3. Take the Yellow Trail for 0.2 miles until you reach the Orange Trail on the right. Turn right onto the Orange Trail.
4. Take the Orange Trail 0.3 miles until you reach the Green Trail.
   • View 1 (along with the Kay Cottage Ruins):
     • At the Green Trail, continue straight on the Orange Trail, crossing the Black River via a wide bridge.
     • After 0.4 miles take an unmarked side trail down to the ruins of Kay Cottage where you can see the waterfall. This trail is easy to find, and you can see and hear the waterfall from the main trail. The Orange Trail ends shortly after, and you have to return the same way you came.
   • View 2:
     • If you hiked to view 1:
       • Hike back on the Orange Trail to where you crossed the Black River. Just after crossing the river located the Green and Black Dot Trail on the right.
       • Follow the Green and Black Dot Trail, which soon merges into the main Green Trail 0.2 miles until you reach the waterfall.
     • If you chose not to hike to view 1:
       • Turn left on the Green Trail and follow it 0.3 miles until you reach the waterfall.

Galley