Waterfalls near Buffalo

29 named waterfalls within 50 miles of Buffalo, nearest first, with height and directions.

Showing the waterfalls around Buffalo, nearest first. Tap the button to start from where you are instead.

    Waterfall names and positions: USGS Geographic Names Information System (public domain) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Heights are from OpenStreetMap where a mapper recorded one. Data as of September 2026. Always check the land manager for trail status, closures and parking before you go.

    Waterfalls around Buffalo at a glance

    There are 29 named waterfalls within 50 miles of downtown Buffalo. The nearest is Glen Falls, about 8.7 mi NE in a straight line, a 30 ft drop. Most of the falls around the city lie to the east: 16 of the 29. All of them are in New York.

    Distances here are straight lines from the city centre. Roads bend around ridges and rivers, so a fall 20 miles out can take an hour to reach. Search your own street or tap Find falls near me above to measure from where you are.

    How far you have to drive

    WithinNamed waterfalls
    10 miles of Buffalo1
    25 miles of Buffalo12
    50 miles of Buffalo29

    Well-known falls within reach of Buffalo

    Niagara Falls (17 miNW) and Middle Falls (47 miESE) are among the best-known waterfalls within 50 miles. Each is described on its state page: waterfalls in New York.

    The 15 nearest waterfalls to Buffalo

    WaterfallDistanceHeightWhere
    Glen Falls 8.7 mi NE 30 ft New York
    Mattulke Falls 12 mi S not recorded New York
    Eternal Flame Falls 14 mi SSE 30 ft New York
    Horseshoe Falls 17 mi NW 167 ft Niagara County, New York
    Niagara Falls 17 mi NW not recorded Niagara County, New York
    Bridal Veil Falls 17 mi NW 180 ft Niagara County, New York
    American Falls 17 mi NW 112 ft Niagara County, New York
    Cromer's Mill 17 mi S not recorded New York
    Akron Falls 22 mi ENE not recorded New York
    Upper Akron Falls 22 mi ENE not recorded New York
    Indian Falls 22 mi NNE not recorded New York
    Johnson Falls 24 mi ESE not recorded Wyoming County, New York
    Royalton Falls 25 mi NE not recorded New York
    Indian Falls 26 mi ENE not recorded New York
    Angel Falls 27 mi ESE not recorded Wyoming County, New York

    Tallest recorded waterfalls near Buffalo

    Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap. 6 of the 29 falls have one; the rest are often small ledges and cascades. Why published heights differ.

    WaterfallHeightDistance
    Bridal Veil Falls180 ft17 mi NW
    Horseshoe Falls167 ft17 mi NW
    Ensminger Falls131 ft32 mi S
    American Falls112 ft17 mi NW
    Glen Falls30 ft8.7 mi NE
    Eternal Flame Falls30 ft14 mi SSE

    Counties with the most falls near Buffalo

    Niagara County, NY (4), Wyoming County, NY (4), Livingston County, NY (3), Chautauqua County, NY (2) and Cattaraugus County, NY (1). County is from the USGS record, so falls mapped only in OpenStreetMap are not counted here.

    Before you go

    The map shows where falls are, not whether a trail reaches them or the land is open. Check the land manager for closures, fees and parking, and stay on the trail near the water. See waterfall safety, waterfall hikes near me and the best time to see waterfalls.

    Waterfalls near other cities: Rochester, Ithaca, Cleveland, Pittsburgh.

    Waterfalls near Buffalo: common questions

    How many waterfalls are near Buffalo?

    Our map has 29 named waterfalls within 50 miles of Buffalo, 12 of them within 25 miles. The count uses USGS and OpenStreetMap names as of 2026-09-23; unnamed and seasonal falls are extra.

    What is the closest waterfall to Buffalo?

    Glen Falls, about 8.7 mi NE of the city centre in a straight line, with a recorded drop of 30 ft. The drive is usually longer; use the Directions link in the list above.

    What is the tallest waterfall near Buffalo?

    Among falls with a height recorded in OpenStreetMap, Bridal Veil Falls at about 180 ft, 17 mi NW of Buffalo. Published heights vary between sources.

    When is the best time to see waterfalls near Buffalo?

    Snowmelt and spring rain make April and May the peak. Gorge trails in the Finger Lakes often open in May and close in November, and many falls run thin by late summer.