Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Wind blows US Flag and surrounding area
Doesn't get more photogenic than this
Sunny day and waterfall view
Find Your Park at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park!
snow covered hydro plant and waterfall
Lovely winter day at Paterson Great Falls
Man overlooking the falls while taking a selfie
Talk about a selfie!
Mist coming up from where the water drops into the passaic river
One of the best spots to overlook the falls and Garret Mountain, Paterson's largest mountain.
summer foliage surrounding a bridge
bridge over the upper raceway to the old stoney road trail
Walking path behind the falls, during sunset with cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms in bloom along the pathway behind the falls.
Photos: National Park Service

About Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 1792, Paterson was established as America's first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills rose industries that changed the face of the nation.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Historical Park
Park State / Territory MembershipNew Jersey
Current Alerts3
Visitor Centers0
Campgrounds0
Things To Do0

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.91475800178142&lon=-74.1678490947591#.VusP4uIrK71

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: New Jersey. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

Grounds are open 7 days a weel and Rangers are available 9:00AM-4:30PM Wednesday-Sunday . Please call 973-523-0370 or 201-458-3475(park cell number) the day of your visit to ensure tour availability. Grounds open suggested time for visiting grounds between sunrise-sunset. The National Park's main visitor parking lot at 72 McBride Avenue Extension will be closed every day sometime after dark and reopened every morning between 7:45am and 8:45am.

Friday9:00AM - 4:30PM
MondaySunrise to Sunset
Saturday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday9:00AM - 4:30PM
TuesdayAll Day
Wednesday9:00AM - 4:30PM

Activities

Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsFoodDiningGuided ToursJunior Ranger Program

Current Alerts

Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot

Parking is extremely limited on weekends & event days. Overflow parking is available at the Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street. On weekends only, additional parking is available at the lot across from the Museum.

Note About Using GPS for Directions

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501. Use this full address when searching using a GPS device or map app or use GPS coordinates N40.91533° W74.17992°

Overlook Park Lot Unavailable After Dark

The park parking lot at 72 McBride Extension is open from dawn to dusk every day. Any vehicles left in the parking lot after dusk (i.e. sunset) are subject to towing at owner's expense.

Getting There

From: Garden State Parkway (New Jersey) North: Take exit 155P on left to Route 19 TO WEST Route 80 Paterson. South: Take Exit 159 (Saddlebrook) on your right. After taking the exit, make your second right onto I-80 West (Paterson). From: Interstate 80 I-80 West: Take Exit 57 A-B. Taking (Exit 57- B) (Downtown Paterson) follow the Downtown Paterson sign. I-80 East: Take (Exit 57- B), take exit Route 80 west Grand St./ Del Water Gap KEEP RIGHT exit. Stay to the right for Grand Street exit ramp.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ, 07501

Topics & Themes

Waterfalls

Nearby Cities for Trip Planning

These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.

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