Remsen Falls

Of course, all of the hikes in 12 Short Hikes Near Old Forge are short, but some are shorter than others. One of the easiest of the shorties is the 0.7-mile walk to Remsen Falls on the South Branch of the Moose River.

This hike begins on Wolf Landing Road, a gravel road that leads from the tiny settlement of McKeever to Woodhull Lake. From the parking area, an old woods road—refurbished to allow motorized access by the disabled—leads through the forest and downhill to the river. On the way, you cross another woods road (closed to all ve-hicles) that leads to an abandoned fire tower on Woodhull Mountain.

At Remsen Falls, the Moose squeezes between giant boulders and pours over bedrock shelves. It’s no Niagara: the drop is just a few feet. However, the scene on the pristine river is peaceful and picturesque, well worth the small effort to get there.

After visiting the falls, you can extend the outing by following an unmarked footpath a few hundred feet to Harry’s Point and a memorial for Harry A. Menz, an angler who fished the Moose. On the riverbank opposite Harry’s Point is a state lean-to.

REMSEN FALLS DIRECTIONS: From downtown Old Forge, drive west on NY 28 toward Thendara, crossing the Middle Branch of the Moose River. About 10 miles on, you cross the Main Branch of the Moose. Just after this bridge, turn left onto McKeever Road. Go 0.2 miles, then bear right onto a dirt road that soon passes a former train depot and crosses railroad tracks. After 0.4 miles, the dirt road reaches a large parking area. Instead of parking here, continue driving 3.3 miles up a gravel road to a pull-off on the left next to a vehicle barrier and a trail sign. N 43° 37.072’, W 75° 02.212’