Beecher Creek Falls
Location:Â Near Great Sacandaga Lake; hamlet of Edinburg; town of Edinburg; Saratoga County;Â New York.
Maps:Â Google Map;Â Topographic; Interactive map.
GPS:Â Falls: (N 43.22079 / W 74.10035)
Covered Bridge: (N 43.22090 / W 74.10026)
Directions: From Albany, take NY-147 north and make a left onto NY-29 W. After a half mile turn right onto Fish House Rd. Take that all the way to the lake and then turn right onto CR-110. It will become CR-7 (Northshore Rd). After about 5 miles it will swing left and become Northville Rd, crossing the lake. In the hamlet on the other side of the lake, turn right onto N Shore Rd. About a quarter mile after it loops right, look for the small park, parking area, and covered bridge on your right.
Or use Google Directions.
Parking: There’s a gravel parking area off of N Shore Rd that has space for about 4 cars.
Weather
Information / Accessibility / Accommodations
Number of falls: 1
Size/Types: 20 ft tall stepped cascade.
Best time to visit: Most months. It may dry up in summer.
Flow:Â Low to moderate.
Waterway: Beecher Creek, which starts out a few miles north. It empties into Great Sacandaga Lake a few thousand feet east of the falls.
Time: It can be seen in a few minutes.
Seasons/Hours: Open year-round.
Admission: Free.
Handicap Accessibility:Â A paved pathway leads to the covered bridge and a view of the falls.
Pets:Â Unknown policy.
Accommodations:Â Trail, viewing area, picnic tables, and historical markers.
Description
Beecher Creek Falls, known locally as just “Beecher Falls” is a beautiful 20 ft tall cascade within a historical industrial ravine known as Beecher Hollow. Once filled with various sawmills and woodworking factories, now part of it sits below Great Sacandaga Lake. On the west side of the hollow, one of the former proprietors constructed a beautiful covered bridge just downstream from the falls, offering the perfect view.
The local historical society maintains the small park around the falls, as well as the bridge, and contributed to the bridge’s restoration not long ago. Open to the public, it’s a quick and satisfying stop for those interested in both waterfalls and colonial architecture. Be sure to drive or walk around Military, Olmstead, and North Shore Roads to spot various historical buildings and signs.
History
The town of Edinburg was first settled in the 1790s, with the Sumner, Barker, Deming and Partridge families settling on this side of the lake. At the time, the town’s name was officially spelled “Edinburgh.” Utilizing the waterpower along the creek near the confluence with the Sacandaga River, several lumber and wood working businesses cropped up in what was known as Beecher Hollow.
Local farmer and businessman Ely Beecher (often spelled as Eli) constructed a sawmill and dam nearby in the 1820s. Beecher also ran a farm, carding mill, and general store, which contained the settlement’s post office, of which he was also postmaster. Eventually Eli’s carding mill was turned into a cabinet shop.
In 1828 Arad Copeland (from Vermont) purchased Eli’s farmland, sawmill, and cabinet shop. The covered bridge was constructed by Copeland in 1879 as a way of taking his livestock to pasture on the other side of the creek. Copeland opened a carriage shop in the old cabinet shop. In 1884 it was converted to a machine shop by John W. Walter.
In the 1920s, plans were finalized to dam Sacandaga River, creating Great Sacandaga Lake, and flooding several surrounding communities, including parts of Beecher Hollow. Remaining residents were relocated and the dam was put into operation in 1930.
The bridge stayed in the Copeland family until 1997, when it was turned over to the Edinburg historical Society. The Society now maintains the park and bridge at the site. They have plans to restore and open the former carriage factory.
Hiking / Walking Trails
Difficulty: Easy.
Markings:Â Smooth pathway and gravel.
Distance: Less than 100 ft.
Description: There’s not much to this one. From the roadside parking area, you can head to the viewing area right next to the falls or down to the bridge and see the falls from there.
Map:Â Interactive.
Beecher Creek Falls Interactive Map
Beecher Creek Falls Media
Videos
Interesting Stuff
Copeland Covered Bridge
The 35 ft long bridge is the only Queenpost Truss Bridge in New York State and the only covered bridge still standing in Saratoga County. The bridge sits on dry-laid fieldstone abutments. Our advice is to check them out only after enjoying the bridge from within. Looking at the mish mash of stacked stones beforehand may make you unnecessarily cautious. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Conklingville Dam
While the dam’s construction did put an end to some early communities along the Sacandaga River, overall it was successful in protecting many more. Plans to dam the Sacandaga began as early at the 1860s. The river had a tenancy to flood, causing damage to towns along its path. The Easter Flood of 1913 was the most catastrophic of them all, killing 1,000 and leaving a quarter million homeless.
Interestingly enough, the dam was built over a small divide at Conklingville, where a prehistoric glacial blockage once existed. Great Sacandaga Lake’s basin was previously filled with water some 11,000-75,000 years ago.
Photography Tips
Inside the Bridge
- From inside the Copeland Bridge, try your hand at capturing the falls through the open window.
Silky Water Effect
- To get that smooth cotton-candy look to the falls, you may need to use a Neutral Density (ND) filter on your lens. The ND filter will block some of the light from entering the lens without altering the color, and thus allows your shutter to stay open longer. This blurs the water and creates a soft white gloss to the foamy areas of the falls. If the skies are overcast, you may not need one to shoot Beecher Creek Falls. Check out the article for all of the details.
More Tips
- See the Articles for more photography tips.
Who to Contact
Edinburg Historical Society
PO Box 801
Edinburg, NY 12134
(518) 460-1746
