Salmon River Falls Unique Area

• Open for recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 7 Cortland Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM), (607) 753-3095; [email protected]
  • Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) 
    A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
• Location: Town of Orwell, Oswego County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6K
• Map: Salmon River Falls Unique Area Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Salmon River Falls Unique Area encompasses 112 acres of land. The 110-foot Salmon River Falls and the scenic gorge are the popular attractions on this wonderful parcel of state land.

Please take note of the special restrictions below, which exist both for your safety and for the protection of the property.

During winter months, ice climbing is a popular activity at Salmon River Falls. Each individual climber must register daily by depositing a registration form in the kiosk box prior to entering the gorge.

Accessible Features

From the Falls Road Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Hiking trail

The Salmon River Falls Accessible Trail is 0.2 mile one way with a gentle grade (max. slope 10%), wide tread (min. width 3 feet), and firm compacted stone surface.

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

From Route 81 take the Pulaski exit and head east on State Route 13 to Altmar. Turn onto County Route 22 at Altmar and go past the Salmon River Fish Hatchery, to Bennett's Bridge. Continue north on County Route 22 and take a right turn heading east on Falls Road .The parking area is on the right, about one mile up the road.

• Falls Road Parking (43.549161°N, 75.942301°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Salmon River Unique Area must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Salmon River Falls Unique Area Site-Specific Rules and Regulations

For your safety and protection of the resource, the following regulations are in place:

• A restricted area exists around and including the cliff face, plunge pool and falling rock zone. All public access is prohibited within the restricted area including swimming and wading in the plunge pool. Access is prohibited within 15 feet of the falls edge and all cliff edges.
• The throwing or causing of anything to fall over into the gorge is prohibited.
• The River Bed Trail is closed from November 15th to May 1st and during high water events.
• The Gorge Trail is closed from November 15th to May 1st and during high water events. Only registered ice climbers may use the Gorge Trail during winter months.
• The Salmon River Unique Area is closed to the public from sunset to sunrise.
• It is illegal to possess alcoholic beverages, glass containers or paint while on the property.
• Open camp fires are prohibited.
• Camping is prohibited.
• Rock climbing is prohibited on Salmon River Falls Unique Area.
• Ice climbing is prohibited on the falls and restricted use area, but is allowed on the gorge cliff face down river of the falls restricted area. All ice climbers must register each day of use.
• Keep pets under control and on a leash while other forest users are around.
• Horses are prohibited on the hiking trails of the unique area.
• Unauthorized use of motor vehicles is prohibited. This includes snowmobiles, cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.
• All State Forests are carry-in, carry-out facilities. Please take your trash with you when you leave.
• Unauthorized cutting of live trees or new trail building is prohibited.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Salmon River Falls Unit Management Plan (UMP). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at [email protected].

Forest Management

The 110-foot waterfalls and the 3,000-foot long gorge are the key attributes of Salmon River Falls Unique Area. Within the gorge, there are sheer cliffs and steep slopes as high as 120 feet. There are four plant communities located on this property. Most of the upland forest acreage is a northern hardwood plant community dominated by deciduous hardwood species. Major species include sugar maple, red maple, American beech, yellow birch, black cherry, white ash and red oak. There is also a hemlock plant community dominated by conifer species mixed with northern hardwoods. Major species include eastern hemlock, white pine, red maple, American Beech and yellow birch.

Additionally, a shale talus slope woodland community is found on the banks of the gorge. The shale cliff and talus community is characterized by sheer cliffs and loose or fallen rocks with a sloping bottom of rock debris. Cliff faces offer ledges that may contain some soil and plant growth. The overstory consists of mainly hemlock and northern hardwoods, and most of the plant cover is herbs.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Chateaugay State Forest
• Salmon River State Forest
• Hall Island State Forest

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

• Gas, food, dining and lodging may be found in the nearby community of Pulaski.

Oswego County Tourism can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and online booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search online for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

History

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Salmon River Falls was part of lands occupied by the Five Nations of the Iroquois Indians. The Salmon River Falls, located 19 miles upstream from the mouth of where the Salmon River enters Lake Ontario, was an upstream barrier to fish migration, including native Atlantic salmon. The Onondaga, Oneida and Cayuga tribes of the Iroquois Nation used the falls as fishing ground where they annually harvested salmon. European settlement of the Salmon River area started in the early 1800s. Atlantic salmon runs ceased by the 1860s as development of dams in the lower river blocked fish migration.

The history and use of the Salmon River and Salmon River Falls from the early to late 1900s was driven by development of hydroelectric power facilities. In 1912, the Salmon River Reservoir was created to harness hydropower by diverting water from the falls through a 10,000-foot pipeline from the Salmon River Reservoir to the power station at Bennett's Bridge. Summer flows were diverted to practically only leakage, and the falls lost its tourist appeal.

During the 1960s, public use increased along with camping, drinking and drug use, graffiti and cliff diving. Accidents resulted in injuries and deaths at the site. In 1993, Niagara Mohawk Power Company (now owned by National Grid) was directed by the New York Power Authority to divest all the lands they owned along the Salmon River which were not essential to their core business of hydroelectric generation. In 1993, Niagara Mohawk developed a comprehensive plan which guided the sale of land. As part of the plan, Niagara Mohawk sold 1,700 acres of land and 13 miles of conservation easements and fishing rights along the Salmon River to DEC. Salmon River Falls was included in that transaction.

In 1996, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission renewed Niagara Mohawk's operating license, a new requirement directed Niagara Mohawk to ensure minimum flow releases to enhance aesthetic beauty of the falls.