This 50-foot waterfall forms on Shelving Rock Brook in the Shelving Rock area of the Lake George Wild Forest on the eastern side of Lake George. The short, family-friendly hike to the falls makes this one of the more popular waterfalls in the region.
Two trails lead to the falls, each from separate parking areas along Shelving Rock Road. Both the upper parking area, Parking Lot 3, and the lower parking lot for the Shelving Rock Mountain Trailhead have trails that lead to the top and bottom of the falls.
An unmarked trail that follows an old carriage road lies just down the road from the parking lot for Shelving Rock Mountain. Marked with a metal gate, this wide and level trail leads straight in to the top of the falls on the east side. A trail leading steeply down to the base of the falls connects prior to reaching the top. To reach the other side of the brook, hikers will have to walk through the water or rock-hop. Caution must be used; the rocks here are extremely slippery. The trail from Parking Lot 3 is a bit longer, but it has an easier grade to the bottom of the falls and eliminates the need to cross the brook.
On the west side of the falls, visitors will find plenty of room for a picnic near the falls or back in the open wooded area. The medium-sized pool at the base of the falls and one smaller pool just downstream offer an opportunity to cool off on a hot day. Many hikers who summit nearby Shelving Rock Mountain make Shelving Rock Falls their next stop to do just that.
Along the west side of the road that leads to the Shelving Rock area, you will see Buttermilk Falls, a large waterfall on private property, a smaller, multi-tiered waterfall at roadside, and a 25-foot waterfall in a deep gorge on the eastern side of the road. Be mindful of the shoulder of the road; the outer edges show signs of erosion and may slip if a vehicle gets too close.
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