Pixley Falls State Park - View from the trail
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Pixley Falls State Park

4.7
Β·652 reviewsΒ·Boonville, United States

Discover Pixley Falls State Park, a serene natural escape with numerous cascades and scenic trails, perfect for a peaceful hike.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring mornings

Peak waterfall flow

CrowdLow
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Pixley Falls State Park - View from the trail

Pixley Falls State Park

Best Time

Spring mornings

Peak waterfall flow

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover Pixley Falls State Park, a serene natural escape with numerous cascades and scenic trails, perfect for a peaceful hike.

4.7
(652 reviews)

"The real reason are the trails, plenty of exploration and plenty of things to see."

Vertical photo
TIP

Pack for the Terrain

Wear sturdy shoes! Trails can have stairs, loose stones, and roots. :athletic_shoe:

Check Water Levels

Visit after rain for best waterfall views; dry spells can significantly reduce flow. :droplet:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 Β· 652 reviews

Type

State Park

πŸ‘Ά Good for kidsπŸ…ΏοΈ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Pixley Falls

Pixley Falls

Main waterfall area

The park's namesake, a beautiful cascade that's most impressive after rainfall.

Numerous Smaller Falls

Numerous Smaller Falls

Along the trails

Dozens of smaller, charming waterfalls dot the trails, offering constant visual interest.

Scenic Walking Trails

Scenic Walking Trails

Throughout the park

Well-marked paths offering opportunities for exploration and enjoying the natural beauty.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything for Pixley Falls

Visit during wetter seasons for the most impressive waterfall views. Fall foliage offers stunning scenery, but water flow might be low. Check conditions before you go to avoid disappointment.

Trail Accessibility & Conditions

While some trails are easy, others have stairs, loose stones, and exposed roots, making them challenging for toddlers or those with mobility issues. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for varied terrain.

Best Times

When
Spring mornings
Why
Peak waterfall flow
Crowd
Low
When
Fall afternoons
Why
Stunning foliage
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Swimming holes/cliffs to jump from in the area?

Does anyone know any good swimming holes or cliff jumping spots around the area? I live a bit south of Utica in Madison County but I am willing to drive. I'm aware of the boiling pot in canajoharie but I heard that it closed last season. Been hard to find any other spots online.…

Pack for the Terrain

Wear sturdy shoes! Trails can have stairs, loose stones, and roots. :athletic_shoe:

Check Water Levels

Visit after rain for best waterfall views; dry spells can significantly reduce flow. :droplet:

reddit.com

Recently acquired more free time, plan to hike myself to better health

Hey, I am familiar with many of the nature parks and hiking trails within the cuse area any suggestions on great places? Yes I know valley trails exist, but I would rather hear first hand the difficulty or hidden gems of the parks. Thanks in advance,

reddit.com

Pixley Falls

A little hidden gem in Oneida County. Certainly not the biggest falls out of the state parks, but still dramatic. What a great spot for a picnic table too.

Explore Beyond the Main Falls

Don't miss the many smaller cascades scattered along the trails. ✨

Parking Can Be Tricky

Parking isn't clearly marked; observe where others park near the entrance. πŸš—

Tips

from all over the internet

Pack for the Terrain

Wear sturdy shoes! Trails can have stairs, loose stones, and roots. :athletic_shoe:

Check Water Levels

Visit after rain for best waterfall views; dry spells can significantly reduce flow. :droplet:

Explore Beyond the Main Falls

Don't miss the many smaller cascades scattered along the trails. ✨

Parking Can Be Tricky

Parking isn't clearly marked; observe where others park near the entrance. πŸš—

What Travellers Say

4.7
(652 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Pixley Falls State Park is lauded for its numerous beautiful waterfalls and scenic, well-marked trails, offering a peaceful escape. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities and the natural beauty, though water flow can be low during dry spells. Some trails present challenges for those with mobility issues, and parking can be a bit unclear.

"Absolutely beautiful in the fall and I had the entire park to myself. I was staying in Herkimer and wanted to chase some fall foliage so I drove north and stumbled upon this gem. The trails are all easy buy bot very well marked. The bathroom is clean and well maintained. While Pixley Falls itself was"

Noah Von Dauber

"Intro: A nice little place with several trails. Plenty of little falls along many of the trails.

Entrance: Clearly marked, however, it's very out of the way and isolated. Though that makes it easy to enter and exit.

Parking: There are no clearly marked parking spots, I ended up parking far up the park away from the entrance, since I wasn't sure what was considered parking. As I left, I saw where others decided to start parking near the entrance, I guess that works.

Facilities: Unfortunately, nothing was very well maintained, there was some sitting areas and grills, and even a small covered area, but the only thing that was bright and in great condition was the trash and recycle bins. On that note, I barely saw any trash, I was happy with that.

Trails and other Features: This is where it shines, plenty of trails, mainly 3 trails. Two of the paths are easy, parallel to each other, an upper path and lower path that follows the main falls and river. Unfortunately, I visited during a very dry spell, so both the main waterfall and river was dried up. What made up for it was the many, MANY smaller falls scattered along the path, made it very worth it. Both the easy trails converge at the end, leading to a harder path. Well, because I spent all my energy climbing up and exploring the many falls, I didn't explore the harder path so I can't really compare them, lol.

Final Word: I would not come to this place for the picnic area, it's doable, but there are so many other parks that offers better picnic areas. The real reason are the trails, plenty of exploration and plenty of things to see. Definitely come here if you want to take a very long scenic walk."

Balgerus

"I loved that they had accessible bathrooms, picnic/grill areas, it was very clean and the falls were beautiful. Parking was a little weird if you haven't been here before. The trails were great for able bodies people, a bit difficult for a toddler or elderly."

Cat House

What People Like

Abundant smaller waterfalls
Scenic and well-marked trails
Clean facilities

What People Dislike

Low water flow in dry spells
Challenging trail sections
Unclear parking

Frequently Asked Questions

πŸš‡ πŸ—ΊοΈ Getting There

Pixley Falls State Park is located in Boonville, NY. It's described as quite out of the way and isolated, making it a bit of a drive. While specific public transport options are limited, driving is the most common way to access the park. Reddit

The entrance is clearly marked, but due to its isolated location, it might feel a bit remote. Planning your route in advance is recommended. Reddit

The park features several trails, with two easy paths running parallel to the main falls and river. There's also a harder path that converges with the easy ones. Reddit

While Pixley Falls is a bit isolated, it's located in the general vicinity of Utica and Madison County, offering opportunities for exploring the wider region. Reddit

Specific driving directions will depend on your starting point, but the park is situated in Boonville, NY. GPS navigation is advised due to its somewhat remote location. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Information regarding entrance fees is not explicitly detailed in the provided reviews. However, the park is described as having a clear entrance, suggesting it is an accessible public space. Reddit

Specific operating hours are not mentioned in the reviews. As a state park, it's likely open during daylight hours, but it's advisable to check official park resources if available. Reddit

There's no mention of needing to book tickets in advance. The park seems to operate on a first-come, first-served basis for entry and parking. Reddit

No specific entry restrictions are noted, other than the general advice to be mindful of trail conditions and potential seasonal water flow. Reddit

While the park is beautiful in the fall and spring, trail conditions might vary significantly in winter due to snow and ice. It's best to check local conditions before planning a winter visit. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

The primary draw is Pixley Falls itself, a beautiful cascade. However, the park also features numerous smaller falls along its well-maintained trails, offering plenty of scenic beauty. Reddit

The park offers a mix of trails. Two are described as easy, while a third is considered harder. Some easy trails involve stairs and uneven terrain, which can be challenging for some. Reddit

The park has accessible bathrooms, picnic areas with grills, and a small covered area. Trash and recycling bins are well-maintained. Reddit

Yes, the numerous waterfalls, especially after rain, and the fall foliage make it a picturesque spot for photographers. Reddit

One Reddit user inquired about swimming holes and cliff jumping, mentioning Pixley Falls as a spot with 'nice' features, implying potential for water activities, though direct confirmation of swimming is not provided. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no restaurants within the park itself. However, picnic areas with grills are available for visitors to bring and cook their own food. Reddit

Given its isolated location, dining options are likely limited directly around the park. It's recommended to pack your own food or plan to eat in nearby towns like Boonville or Utica. Reddit

Absolutely! The park offers picnic areas with grills and a covered space, making it a great spot for a scenic outdoor meal. Reddit

There is no indication of food being sold within the park. Visitors should come prepared with their own provisions. Reddit

Simple picnic fare like sandwiches, salads, and snacks are ideal. If you plan to use the grills, bring along items that are easy to cook outdoors. Reddit

πŸ“Έ πŸ“Έ Photography

The main Pixley Falls and the numerous smaller cascades along the trails are prime photography locations. The surrounding forest also offers beautiful shots, especially during fall. Reddit

Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer light, ideal for capturing the beauty of the falls and the forest. Golden hour can be particularly stunning. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the falls and the landscape. A tripod can be useful for longer exposures to smooth out the water. Reddit

No specific photography restrictions are mentioned. However, always be respectful of the natural environment and other visitors. Reddit

Expect to capture cascading water, lush greenery (especially in spring/summer), vibrant fall foliage, and serene forest scenes. Reddit

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