American Falls Waterfall

Website: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com

The American Falls is the portion of Niagara Falls located on the U.S. side of the Niagara River in New York State and is one of three principal waterfalls at Niagara Falls. It is a major natural landmark on the international border between the United States and Canada.

The waterfall drops to the river below and presents a broad, rock-strewn crest several hundred metres across; the cascade is flanked by observation points and parkland on the American side. A number of public viewpoints and trails on Goat Island and at Prospect Point provide close views of the crest and the river below.

The falls and surrounding parkland have been managed and developed for tourism and safety, with constructed walkways and viewing platforms. Boat and shore-based tours operate in the area during the tourism season, and lighting systems are used at night for seasonal displays.

The American Falls sits on the Niagara River at the city of Niagara Falls, New York, immediately adjacent to the Canadian province of Ontario; it forms part of the river system connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

• Scale: The American Falls forms one of the three main waterfalls at Niagara Falls and presents a vertical drop of roughly 34 m (about 110 ft) to the river below and a crest several hundred metres wide.
• Viewing and access: Best viewing from the U.S. side is from Goat Island and Prospect Point; seasonal boat tours operate from the base area to view the falls from the water in warmer months.

What to See#

• Prospect Point: Prospect Point on the U.S. side offers an observation platform with direct views across the crest of the American Falls and toward Goat Island. It is one of the primary vantage points for the American Falls from land.
• Goat Island: Goat Island sits between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls and provides several short trails and lookout points close to the crest of the American Falls.

From Niagara Falls, NY city center, the American Falls are a short walk within Niagara Falls State Park-follow signs from the Visitor Center or walk across from Goat Island. The park is accessible by car via Robert Moses Parkway; parking and pedestrian paths link the major viewpoints.

• Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest crowds and to see better photos of the falls with angled light.
• Walk the Bridal Veil and Cave of the Winds areas on the U.S. side for different perspectives-each viewpoint reveals different columns of spray and rock.
• Purchase the Niagara Falls State Park map at the visitor center to find the lesser-known viewing platforms and interpretive signs.