Little Falls: The Perfect Place to Call Home

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The friendly, scenic city of Little Falls is a vibrant cultural gem that sparkles among the Mohawk River's whitewater rapids. Indeed, Little Falls owes its very existence to the waters of the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. Canal Place and Main Street in Little Falls offer modern shopping opportunities. They are the gateway to the sprawling Little Falls National Historic District, encompassing nearly 350 historically significant buildings that preserve the heritage of the vibrant way of life that the Mohawk River and Erie Canal made possible in this scenic small city.

Why visit Little Falls?

  • Rock Climbing at Moss Island—Climbers worldwide come to Little Falls. They say, “If you can climb here, you can climb anywhere. It’s hard climbing. There are only about six easy climbs.” They rank the difficulty of climbs with numbers up to 15. Most of the climbs on Moss Island are from 5-8 to 5-10. They are top-roped, but some of them are underrated.
  • Canal Harbor and Rotary Park—The City of Little Falls and the New York State Canal Corporation operate Canal Harbor and Rotary Park. The facility offers kayak and canoe rentals, overnight docking, electricity, water, showers, bathrooms, and useful area information.
  • Buttermilk Falls Park—A 50-foot waterfall that has been turned into a City park behind the municipal pool with picnic tables and a less than 1/4 mile trek to view the water. The trail is relatively flat but rocky, with a few short up-and-over climbs.
  • Erie Canal Lock No. E17 - Located just west of the remains of the Enlarged Erie Canal lock No. 36, southeast of the City, this lock is an imposing structure and the largest lock in New York State at 40.5 feet. The site is one of the most recognized in Erie Canal iconography, just east of the famous Profile Rock of Moss Island, along the routes of the original Clinton’s Ditch Erie Canal and the Enlarged Erie Canal.
  • Municipal Golf Course—Little Falls is a city of hills, and the Municipal Golf Course rests atop the highest. It offers rolling fairways, magnificent greens, beautiful flowers and evergreens, and a stunning view of the valley below. It is the only municipally owned golf course in the area, which allows us to keep membership and green fees very affordable.

Interactive Map

Parking & Trail Access

  • The Harbor in Little Falls: Located on Southern Avenue, this lot has plenty of parking and facilities for cyclists.
  • Miracle Mile trailhead: There is a small parking lot just northeast of the intersection of Flint Avenue and West Casler Street.
  • Canal Place: City parking lot in front of 410 Canal Place - the Stone Mill building

Stay overnight

Lodging - Little Falls has a large number of Airbnb locations within the City. Just search their website for the best deals. We also have a Rodeway Inn, which is currently undergoing renovations. However, part of it is open, and the rest is near completion. The Inn at Stone Mill is also another great location to stay within the City and close to the trail. It is certified bike-friendly.

Overnight Camping- There are two locations where cyclists can overnight camp in Little Falls. One is along the trail in the harbor area, and the other is Moreland Park up the hill. The (Canal Season) rates for the harbor are $20/per person. If you are interested in making a reservation, email kmiller@cityoflittlefalls.net. Maximum stay is two nights. Harbor amenities include free water, electricity, restrooms, free shower, free wifi, kayak rental $5/hr.

Events & Festivals

  • Rock Valley Music Festival is the third Saturday in May - This festival features live local music, food vendors, and NYS craft beer.
  • Canal Celebration is the second week of August - The Annual Canal Celebration, spanning 36 years, represents our recognition of the community, our heritage, and the spirit that makes Little Falls a unique place in the Mohawk Valley.
  • Garlic & Herb Festival is the second Saturday in September - The Mohawk Valley’s climate and soils are ideal for growing garlic and herbs, which is why we have so many local producers in this non-profit agricultural festival.
  • Cheese Festival is the first Saturday in October - The Little Falls Cheese Festival has become known as New York State’s premier gathering of cheesemakers, reminiscent of its early history as the nation’s cheese market capital.
  • Christmas in Little Falls is the second weekend of December - It is a fun, family-oriented holiday celebration brought to you by businesses and not-for-profit agencies serving the City.

See Little Falls' events page for a full listing of city events.

Visitor Information

  • The Little Falls Harbor on Southern Avenue (seasonally available when the canal is open) is open from 7 am until 5 pm.
  • City Hall at 659 E Main Street, has a wealth of information for travelers and is open from 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Trail Town Partners

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