Salmon River Falls Lower Dam Trail is a 2.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Richland, New York that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from May until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
NOTE: As of October 3, 2020, the trail is reportedly damaged past the falls so you may not be able to complete the entire route.
Trail is a wreck right now, don’t go if you plan on walking any further past the falls :/
So glad that I came on a week day! It is Monday but there were still lots of cars when I arrived. Most folks were at the top of the Falls enjoying the sunny weather. I hiked along the river bed to the end. There were some tough spots where I thought about turning around because of the roots, mud and slope, but I’m glad I pressed on because it didn’t last long. Wonderful last hike with warm weather!
Great, short little trail! Well behaved dogs will do just fine on these trails, but make sure they are good about going slow on steep slopes. The Lower Gorge Trail is open as of 9/28, but the trail is steep and it would be very easy to slip, given the wet leaves covering the rocky steps. Wear hiking boots and go slow — it’s definitely worth the view! The trail to the top of the falls is also gorgeous, especially when the leaves are bright and colorful like they were today. I hear both trails are very busy on weekends, and given how narrow and steep the gorge trail is, I’d really recommend a mid-week trip if you can! I saw only a few people, and was the only one at the park for most of the day on a Monday morning.
So crowded by the falls. we did not complete the rest of the trail due to a steep incline and the wrong footwear. It was still a great sight to see the falls. But I was more interested in reading the rock carvings at the top of the falls, some had been carved in the 1930s!
Dog friendly, easy to navigate. The gorge trail can be moderately difficult, at least coming back up. Definitely worth the trip. Would recommend to anyone.
The bridge on Rt 22 is closed - plan your route accordingly so you don't have to do any backtracking. I took the upper falls trail, since the gorge trail is currently closed for reconstruction. There is a beautiful tall waterfall and informational placards at the beginning of the trail. Overall, nice place. I'll be back when the gorge trail re-opens.
If coming from 81 south the bridge is out right before the last turn. I had to back track 10 minutes and follow the detour signs. The lower trail is closed. The view is at the beginning of the trail. The trail next to the creek was good to trail jog on except for a view muddy and spots with roots. The trail was well shaded.
A nice easy trail to the waterfall. I like that there were no barriers so you could walk down in the riverbed and up to the top of the falls but it's a double edged sword because then people were all over the top and tarnishing the view of the waterfall.
too many people at the time we went, and the lower trail was closed. and the view was meh but nice.
Poor visibility of the river throughout the hike. Trail ends at the dam without access for any kind of view. Best part of the trail is the very beginning at the top of the falls. Anticlimactic. Enjoy a picnic at the falls near the parking lot and hike elsewhere.