Description

MacMillan Falls (sometimes known as Ramapo Falls) is a moderately sized waterfall at the popular Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah. The waterfall is extremely easy to get to, only about a half mile from the parking area, with generally flat terrain. Unfortunately, the waterfall is just downstream of the MacMillan Reservoir, a small body of water that restricts some of the flow of MacMillan Brook. For this reason, the waterfall may have less flow than one might expect, especially during the summer months, when it can be nearly dry. However, when it flows well, MacMillan Falls is very impressive.

Directions

1. From the parking area walk towards the directory and down a set of steps to reach a wide dirt trail.
2. Follow this trail, crossing over the Ramapo River, and walking along the side of Scarlet Oak Pond.
3. At the end of the pond, turn left onto the Yellow Vista Loop, another wide dirt trail.
4. Follow this trail until you cross MacMillan Brook where the trail becomes rocky.
5. Just after crossing the brook, you will reach MacMillan Falls.

Parking

Ramapo Valley Reservation is extremely popular, and parking can be a challenge year-round, despite its massive parking area at 610 Ramapo Valley Rd, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Unfortunately, this massive lot is basically the only parking for the park, as street parking is forbidden, and a large church next door has posted signs against hiker parking. If you are dead-set on hiking here, you may be able to find parking at Continental Soldiers Park (or Ramapo College, though this is likely frowned upon), though this is a distance from the park.

If you decide to visit, make sure you arrive before 9:00 a.m. on weekends to secure parking. If visiting on a weekday, try to avoid the lunch rush or after work crowds.

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