Diamond Notch Falls via Spruceton Road is a 3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near West Kill, New York that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from March until November.
February 12, 2021We'll...I feel like an idiot. After reading that people did this with people in the winter with kids, I THOUGHT my family was good to go. Nope. on 2/12 we parked at the last official parking area along the road to find human footprints that lasted 20'. Then the foot prints stopped and we started our own path. We went on for another 100' and gave up. We did go to the 2nd from the end parking area and enjoyed that hike. We then went to Artists Falls at Winter Clove and loved that 2 minute walk for our kids.
January 5, 2021"Road Closed" sign was up across half of the lane and buried in snow, but since there were notes about trail closures on the DEC, we just drove around it and parked at the trailhead about a mile further down-there were about 6 or 7 other cars there and the road was plowed and maintained. The trail was beautiful, a lot less icy and barely any incline so much easier to navigate than some of the other hikes we did this week.
December 30, 2020Road closed about a mile before trailhead and private property just before the closure.
December 10, 2020November 16, 2020October 25, 2020October 25, 2020October 21, 2020October 18, 2020This trail was great! Lightly trafficked on a Sunday afternoon, we even had the falls and viewpoint to ourselves for some time. Parking is at the end of the road (there are a couple of small lots). The first 0.8 miles were muddy in places and had a gradual incline. Once you reach the intersection with the red trail at the falls (stay on blue), the trail begins to climb a bit and gets a bit rocky, but I would still rate this on the easy side of moderate. After the viewpoint, the trail is narrow with lots of loose rock and a step fall off. I wouldn't recommend the hike beyond the viewpoint for young children. This was a great trail, well marked, and well maintained!
October 12, 2020Awesome short easy hike. You have a water for fall and an overlook. I can not ask for much more.
October 10, 2020Busy, but should be expected this time of year.
September 25, 2020Difficult to find the trail entrance if you are not familiar with the area, but once you’re on it, it’s a quick and pretty hike!
September 20, 2020Boring road.
September 5, 2020September 3, 2020Fun trail. Nice falls.
August 16, 2020August 11, 2020Entrance is at the end of the street which has some limited parking. Very rocky terrain. Was nice and cool in mid-August under the trees. The water is pretty cold and refreshing. Some nice little pools but nothing seemingly too deep. The biggest falls is, of course, where most people hang out, so go early to get some peaceful dips in. The smaller falls have small pools which are nice and mostly empty.
July 31, 2020Cool little trail, some awesome little natural pools of water along the right side after about a mile up, crystal clear. Not a tough one, a few little spots are steep but not a killer
July 22, 2020Short, flat hike to a beautiful, more secluded waterfall. Water is ice cold but felt great after hiking Westkill Mountain. Saw a mama bear and three cubs hiking out right before the parking lot - be careful!
July 19, 2020This trail was okay if your looking for a short hike that’s a decent workout. It’s not particularly difficult, and there isn’t really a “wow” factor to speak of.
July 12, 2020July 11, 2020The last bit from the bridge to the overlook is much more rocky and tough, be aware! It’s a gorgeous view at the end but that last 3/4 mile will ask more of you than the rest of the trail. Otherwise, totally gorgeous and great views of the water and mountainside throughout, nice and shady. Great hike.
July 7, 2020Pretty easy out and back. My 6 year old son and I did it together. We saw 8 turkeys and 12 snakes (garter snakes, harmless). The waterfalls are really nice and the views from just past the notch are worth going another 500 yards or so. I would recommend going just after a good bit of rainfall to really enjoy the falls.
June 25, 2020After the bridge met a bear, and had to turn back.
June 15, 2020Quick and easy hike to the falls from the end of Spruceton Road, it was less than a mile from where we parked. The trail is very rocky in places, but as long as you have good footwear, it is easy for all abilities. If you’re heading to Diamond Notch Falls from Spruceton Road, I suggest continuing across the bridge past the falls for another 3/4 mile to a great lookout viewpoint in the notch area. Definitely bring bug spray for when you are near the creek and falls!
