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| Norton's Falls |
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Location -
Seneca Park,
Rochester, Monroe County Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi GPS - Falls: (N 43.19059 W 77.62018) Directions - From the West: Follow Ridgeway Ave east to the St. Paul exit. Turn left onto St. Paul St. Turn right onto Seth Green Dr. Park at the public fishing access parking lot. From the East: Take 104 west to the Clinton Ave N Exit. Go south and turn right on Norton Street. Take Norton St across St Paul St, where it becomes Seth Green Dr. Park at the public fishing access parking lot. |
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Information Number of falls: 1 Size/Types: Roughly 50' tall. Starts out dropping 15' from a limestone tunnel then cascading another 15' over shale as it turns 45 degrees and tumbles the rest of the way over large limestone rocks into the Genesee River. Best time to visit: Year round. Flow: Low (can be spectacular in high rain) Waterway: Norton's Creek Time: 15 minutes |
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| Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Open year-round, 24-hours/day. Parking: Park at the public fishing access parking lot just as you turn onto Seth Green Dr. Parking for 10 cars. Alternative parking along Seth Green Dr. Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: Possible. Pets: Allowed (on leash). Accommodations: None. |
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Description
A small hidden treasure in downtown Rochester and part of the historical Seneca Park, this trail has been used for centuries as an access trail for Iroquois to access the Genesee river. Early settlers recognized this area as an excellent access point as well and founded the village of Carthage along this trail. Today, the falls is in rough shape, relocated for construction above, it runs from a drainage tunnel below an apartment complex. It drops several feet then tumbles over large rocks and debris, passing old bicycles and plenty of trash as it makes its way to the river below. It's easily viewable from the first bend along the trail that winds down into the gorge. At the base, residents frequently use the bank of the river for fishing. Despite the trash and and occasional homeless resident, the area is beautiful and is worth knowing about for Rochester residents. One would never guess such an area exists tucked away within the city. Though a cleanup effort is greatly needed in order to make this trip worth the visit for any out-of-towners. |
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| Trails
Difficulty: Easy Markings: Red circles nailed on trees, labeled "Switchback Trail." The start of the trail is marked by a wooden sign marking the history of this area. This dirt trail winds down the side of the gorge and ends at the river. About a third of the way down the trail gives a perfect view of the falls. The trail and the falls itself is littered with debris, both natural and man-made. |
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| History This winding trail was used thousands of years ago by native Americans. Pioneer settlers founded the village of Carthage, expanded the trail, and built several mills on the site. The bank of the river at the trail's end is easily accessible and was used by settlers to ford the river. It was commonly referred to as Brewer's Landing. Seth Green was a famous fish conservationist. Known as "The Father of Fish Culture." In this area he cataloged fish, studied their breeding habits and ran a successful fish market, known for its chowder. He founded the Caledonia Fish Hatchery, which stocks the Genesee River with salmon today. |
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Do not miss... Among the trash usually round among the rocks, one set of ruins is the foundation of a mill wheel. Rock Slides. This unique shape of the gorge wall was shaped by rock slides. A massive rock slide, thousands of years ago, must have reduced the slope and allowed for native Americans to access the riverbank. Smaller collapses and rock slides happen today during periods of high rainfall Fishing. Like Seth Green did hundreds of years ago, many fishermen use Brewers Landing for fishing. Lower Falls. Fishermen have, for a better location, created a rough trail along the bank towards the lower falls. You can also get to the lower falls by using the RG&E access road by going left from the parking area. |
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| Contact Monroe County Parks Department 171 Reservoir Avenue Rochester, New York 14620 Telephone: (585) 256-4950 Fax: (585) 753-7284 Website |
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| Area Attractions This trail is part of Seneca Park which also contains the Seneca Park Zoo. Other Waterfalls Rochester High Falls, Rochester, NY Rochester Lower Falls, Rochester, NY Zoo Falls, Rochester, NY Turning Point 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 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) Cheyenne Supper Club - Rochester, NY (high falls) Jimmy Mac's - Rochester, NY (high falls) Spin Caffé - Rochester, NY (high falls) Tiki Bob's Cantina - Rochester, NY (high falls) Wineries Casa Larga - Rochester, NY 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 Parkleigh - Rochester, NY |
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| Weather |
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| Links Article on Seth Green Iroquois Museum |
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