United States · Rochester
High Falls (Rochester)
The High Falls or Upper Falls is a waterfall on the Genesee River in the city of Rochester, New York. They are one of three waterfalls within the city; the Middle and Lower Falls are about 2 miles downstream.
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
High Falls (Rochester) drops over a series of steps on the Genesee River. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is City of Rochester, United States. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at High Falls (Rochester) itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from City of Rochester are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
Getting there
- Base town City of Rochester, United States
- Country United States
- Region Rochester, United States, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
High Falls (Rochester)
United States
Height—Width—
Most similar
Churchill River
Canada
Height—Width—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Canada
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
We don't have a reliable crest width for High Falls (Rochester) yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
On the map
43.1615, -77.6135
Quick answers
Where is High Falls (Rochester)?
High Falls (Rochester) is in United States (Rochester). The nearest base is City of Rochester, United States. Its coordinates are 43.1615, -77.6135.
When is the best time to visit High Falls (Rochester)?
Peak flow is April to June and October. Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
What can you do at High Falls (Rochester)?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to High Falls (Rochester)?
The usual base is City of Rochester, United States. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
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