Lampson Falls

CLARE WEATHER

Number of falls: 1 large waterfall.

Size/Types: Lampson Falls is a broad, sloping slide waterfall with a smooth, gently inclined rock face approximately 100 feet wide, cascading down 40 feet into a large, deep swimming hole at its base. The width is about 100ft, but this can vary based on flow. The pool at the bottom is expansive, ideal for swimming, and popular in the warmer months.

Best time to visit: Year-round. Summer brings in crowds for swimming. Winter is a great time for photography.

Waterway: Grass River. The Grass River originates upstream from here in the southwestern part of St. Lawrence County near Pine Pond and Silver Lake Mountain in the Adirondacks. It flows generally northward and then eastward, passing through the towns and villages of Russell, Canton, and Madrid, before eventually turning northeast toward Massena, where it empties into the St. Lawrence River and heads east to the Atlantic Ocean. The Grass River is about 73 miles long.

Time: About 45 minutes round-trip at a moderate pace. It’s an easy, leisurely walk suitable for families and casual hikers.

Seasons/Hours: Open year-round from dawn until dusk.

Admission: Free.

Handicap Accessibility: Surprisingly, this “wild” area has an accessible trail leading to a viewing area below the falls. It averages a 5% grade with up to a 10% grade near the viewing area. Note: As of August 30, 2024 due to degradation of the trail, the accessible portion is no longer accessible until further notice. 

Pets: Allowed on a leash.

Swimming: No official rules are posted, but people go and attempt to slide down the falls and bathe in the pool below all the time.

Camping: Primitive camping is allowed at the Lampson Falls Tent Site at the end of a short spur trail off the Grass River Trail. Map.

Accommodations: Hiking trail; Primitive Camping; Cross-country Skiing; Snowshoeing. The closest restrooms are probably going to be in the hamlet of Russell, a few miles northeast of here.

Sometimes referred to as “Lampsons Falls”

Lampson Falls is a scenic and family-friendly waterfall located on the Grass River. With its expansive 100-foot width, the falls descend along a smooth, gently sloping rock formation into a substantial swimming hole, making it a local favorite for recreation and relaxation. During spring, melting snow and rainfall create a powerful, continuous veil of whitewater that covers the entire breadth of the falls. In summer, lower water levels split the falls into distinct streams, exposing a picturesque dark rock island with a smooth surface split by multiple cracks. The surrounding area features lush forests, abundant wildlife, and well-maintained trails, providing visitors with a peaceful natural environment perfect for hiking, photography, and picnicking.

Lampson Falls lies along the Grass River, historically significant as a transportation and resource hub in the North Country region of New York. The river and falls were integral to the logging industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where logs were floated downstream to mills and processing centers. In fact, the trail loop at the falls is an old logging road from this period. It was likely named after François Joseph Paul, Marquis of Grasse-Tilly, a French Navy officer who fought the British in the American War of Independence, most notably defeating the British fleet at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781.

The Town of Clare saw settlement in the early 1800s, but wasn’t incorporated until 1880, and grew modestly around the lumber industry. Lampson Falls may have been named after the Lampson Family, of which N.H. Lampson was one of the first town assessors. Today, the region retains its natural beauty and charm, drawing visitors interested in outdoor recreation and historical exploration. The town has barely over 100 residents and very few establishments.

Difficulty: Easy. The trail is clearly marked and well-maintained. The gradients are minimal and most of the trail is gravel.

Markings: Blue blazes.

Distance: Just over a half mile to the base of the falls. If you want to hike the full loop, it’ll be about 2 miles.

How to get to Lampson Falls:

The trail starts at the sign in the parking area and immediately enters a pleasant, shaded forest. The well-maintained gravel path is mostly flat, with gentle undulations, making it accessible for all skill levels. This section is apparently across private land, so please be respectful. Along the route, you’ll pass through mixed hardwoods and conifers, and occasional benches provide spots for resting and enjoying nature.

About halfway to the falls, the path widens and splits with the left path being an accessible route leading to a wheelchair-accessible wooden viewing platform at the east side of the falls. Continuing down the main trail, the path steepens a little and winds down to the beach area at the pool at base of the falls. The trail does continue on and loop left/west to an area offering a few views of the falls from a distance.

Those that continue north up the trail will find no more waterfalls, but some small rapids. The trail continues north along the river and will connect with another logging road on the right. North leads to a dead end, so take the trail to the right. This will loop you back to the area near the wooden observation deck.

Map: Interactive.

Silky Water Effect

• To get that smooth cotton-candy look to the falls, you 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.  Check out the article for all of the details.

Composition

• Use the expansive width of the falls to your advantage by capturing panoramic shots. From the cliffs opposite the falls, incorporate dynamic foregrounds, such as swirling foam patterns or even people in the pool below.

More tips

• See the Articles for more photography tips.

DEC Region 6 Potsdam Office
M-F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
315-265-3090
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