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| Rochester's Lower Falls |
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Location -
Rochester, Monroe County Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi GPS - Falls: (N 43.1796, W 77.6277) Directions - From the East: Take 104 Clinton Ave N. Head south to Norton St. and make a right. Make a left on St. Paul St. and then a right onto Driving Park Ave. Park in the Maplewood Park parking lot on the Right. From the West: Take i390 to Lexington Ave. Follow it east and turn left on Lake Ave. Make a right at the next intersection onto Driving Park Ave. Park in the Maplewood Park parking lot on the left. Alternate viewing: You can view this falls from the other side via the RG&E access road by parking on Seth Green Dr. (The same parking lot you would use for Norton's Falls) or by using the fisherman's trail from the base of Norton's Falls. |
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Information Number of falls: 1 Size/Types: 110' classic drop. Best time to visit: Year round. Excellent views in snow-covered winter. Coatings of ice make the gorge a wondrous sight. Flow: High Waterway: Genesee River Time: 20 minutes |
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| Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Open year-round, all day/night Parking: 50 car parking in the Maplewood Park parking lot. 10 car parking on the other side of the gorge in the public fishing access lot on Seth Green Dr. Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: Yes. Pets: Allowed (on leash). Accommodations: restrooms, benches, picnic tables, playground, drinking fountains, tennis courts, basketball court, tour guides. |
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Description
This is an easy waterfall to view, but a difficult one to photograph. Like the other waterfalls of the Genesee, the Rochester lower falls has a rich history of development and exploitation. Today the falls is still used for electric power generation on one side, but opposite the RG&E plant is a beautiful series of connected parks, offering visitors a glimpse of this powerful falls. The crest of at the top is artificial, a man-made dam, several feet high that not only serves its intended purpose of regulating flow for the electric generators, but also spreads out the water for a more even tumble down the sandstone rock. Once interesting characteristic of this falls is the stone pillar, dividing the falls in two mid-way down, that gives the falls an unique look. The trip down into the gorge, using a RG&E access road is one well worth taking. Although it doesn't offer the picturesque view of Lower Falls that you get from the Driving Park Bridge, descending the gorge offers a great look at the rock layers in the Rochester region. On cold winter days, the gorge wall is coated in towering icicles. |
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| Trails
Difficulty: Easy Markings: Across from the rose garden is the Genesee Riverway Trail. This trail is paved and fenced and will lead you right past the Lower Falls into the Lower Falls Overlook Park, where you can also catch a glimpse of the Middle Falls. You can follow this trail back or take the gated road across Driving Park Ave. From Maplewood Park, you can also walk across the Driving Park Bridge just north of the falls, which offers the best view of the falls and the gorge. Following the RG&E access road. From Seth Green Dr. is a breeze. Follow the gated road as it stems from the opposite side of the parking lot. It ends at the falls. |
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| Do not
miss... The gorge in winter. Most falls are not very impressive in winter. Low water flow and lack of green foliage tend to be a little depressing. The amount of water flowing over these falls in winter, combined with the cold air- creates spectacular ice-frosted cliff-faces. The RG&E access road will lead you safely down the gorge giving a great view of the cliff walls (see photos). The Maplewood Rose Garden. Located off of Driving Park Ave., this 1+ acre garden features over 3,000 rose bushes and hundreds of varieties. The best time to visit is the second week in June when the roses are in full bloom and the Rose Festival is taking place. Lower Falls Overlook Park. This recently opened park (2001) is a great gathering place for family and friends. From here you can get the closest look at the Lower Falls and currently the only look at the Middle falls. The centerpiece is the dramatic (and somewhat creepy) sculpture "The Seat of Remembering and Forgetting" |
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| Photography Tips ▪ A great shooting location is from the Driving Park Bridge. The problem is that there's a 10 foot high chain link fence. ▪ Maplewood Park has a wonderful rose garden. A great opportunity for shots. ▪ This falls is completely out in the sun. Bring a polarizer to get rid of glare. ▪ ▪ See the Articles section for more waterfall photography tips. |
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| Area Attractions Other Waterfalls High Falls, Rochester, NY Zoo Falls, Rochester, NY Turning Point Falls, Rochester, NY Norton's Falls, Rochester, NY Densmore Falls, Irondequoit, NY Corbett's Glen, Brighton, NY Sgoh-sa-is-thah Falls, Penfield, NY Bed & Breakfast Clematis Inn - Rochester, NY Dartmouth House - Rochester, NY The Edward Harris House - Rochester, NY 428 Mt. Vernon - Rochester, NY Marigold Gardens - Pittsford, NY Museums The Strong Museum of Play - Rochester, NY Memorial Art Gallery - Rochester, NY George Eastman House - Rochester, NY Rochester Museum & Science Ctr. - Rochester, NY Susan B. Anthony House - Rochester, NY Genesee Country Village & Museum - Mumford, NY Restaurants/Cafes The Triphammer Grill - Rochester, NY (High Falls) Jimmy Mac's - Rochester, NY (High Falls) Spin Caffé - Rochester, NY (High Falls) Entertainment GEVA Theatre - Rochester, NY Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - Rochester, NY Seabreeze Amusement Park - Rochester, NY Shops The Creator’s Hands - Rochester, NY (High Falls) Parkleigh - Rochester, NY Stever's Candies - Rochester, NY |
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| Links Genesee Riverway Trail Map PDF (Page 1) (Page 2) Vintage Views of Maplewood Park Vintage Views of Lower Falls The Maplewood Neighborhood Association - has info on the Rose Garden and Rose Festival. Maplewood/Lower Fall Virtual Tour |
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| Contact City of Rochester Parks and Recreation Division 400 Dewey Avenue Rochester, New York 14607 Telephone: (585) 428-6690 |
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