Known today as the Great Falls of Paterson, a 77-foot, 260-foot-wide drop that powered America's first planned industrial city.
Passaic Falls — long known to visitors as the Great Falls of Paterson — drops about 77 feet over a span roughly 260 feet wide on the Passaic River, a National Natural Landmark now protected as Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Alexander Hamilton toured the falls in 1778 and later championed harnessing their power, which by 1793 had made Paterson the site of Samuel Slater's pioneering cotton mill and one of the birthplaces of American industry.
The park sits inside the city of Paterson, with viewing areas overlooking the gorge near the old mill district. Because this is an urban historic site rather than a backcountry trail, check the National Park Service's current hours and any posted alerts before visiting, and plan to pair the falls with the surrounding Great Falls Historic District's mills and raceways.
Know before you go
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ.
Year-round; an urban site with street-level viewing.
No hike required; overlooks are within the historic park grounds.
Check the park's current fees-and-passes page.
Urban viewing areas; check the park's accessibility page for specifics.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.