Our Newest National Park

When you think of cities, many things come to mind- a lot of people, a lot of buildings, smog, and traffic, among other things. You certainly wouldn't think of a large waterfall. However the newest addition to our National Park system is within walking distance of downtown Paterson in New Jersey, and its most prominent feature is a 77-foot waterfall.

Alexander Hamilton visited the Great Falls in 1778, and saw huge potential in the city of Paterson and in the waterfall (as a source for hydropower) for industry development. Paterson became a bustling manufacturing center for textiles, firearms, silk, and railroad locomotives. Some of these buildings still remain today. For more information on the history of the Great Falls, visit the Paterson Friends of the Great Falls website.

The waterfall is a magnificent sight to see any time of the year, but it is most spectacular after a lot of rain.

The Great Falls in May 2009.

The Great Falls in August 2011, right after the area received torrential rainfall from Hurricane Irene.