Hiking to Auger Falls in Adirondack Park

Introduction to Hiking Auger Falls

Located near the town of Wells in the southern region of Adirondack Park, the hike to Auger Falls is a short and pleasant walk with picturesque views of the Sacandaga River. 

This easy one-mile hike winds through the forest and along the banks of the Sacandaga River to Auger Falls: a series of three drops about 40-feet high. The hike is both dog and kid friendly, and great for families with young children.

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Note: Parts of the trail get very close to the river and may be slippery or even submerged when water levels are high. If hiking to Auger Falls with young children, be extra attentive to their whereabouts and keep them away from the river bank.

Guide to Hiking Auger Falls

The northern portion of the hike is a beautiful 0.5 mile walk. There is little to no elevation gain, making this hike ideal for families with young children. We hiked to Auger Falls with our kids, aged 2 years and 6 weeks. Our two-year-old was able to walk much of the trail, however he did get tired and needed to be carried at times.

Hiking to Auger Falls can be done as either an in-and-out hike or as a loop. Due to proximity with the river, parts of the trail may be inaccessible when water levels are high.

We hiked to Auger Falls in winter and, while the trail was icy in parts, we were fine in our snow boots and did not need microspikes.

How to get to Auger Falls

From the town of Wells, head north on NY-30 for approximately 6 miles. The parking area and trailhead are on the right side of the road, about 1.7 miles after the Route 30/Route 8 intersection.

The gravel road leading to the parking area is not explicitly marked, but entering “Auger Falls Trailhead” into Google Maps will take you to the right place. You can also enter the following GPS coordinates: 43.469219, -74.252142. The parking area is large and there is ample parking along the trailhead.

To get to the northern section of the hike, walk to the far end of the gravel parking area away from NY-30/NY-8. When you get to a gravel culdesac and are facing the river, turn right and head towards the treeline. The trailhead is through the trees and begins with crossing a small stream. 

The trail is marked with yellow blazes, however this section of the trail is not well marked. From here to the falls is about 0.5 miles.

To begin at the southern section of the loop, walk from the parking area back towards Route 8. Before you reach Route 8, turn onto the dirt path to your left. This path will take you to the trailhead. Follow the trail to approach the falls from the south, approximately 0.5 miles.

Final Thoughts

We did this hike in late December with our two-year-old and 6-week-old. Our two-year-old was able to walk portions of this trail, but if hiking with younger children I recommend bringing a carrier for them. I would love to repeat this hike in the spring or summer, but it was absolutely gorgeous in the winter after a fresh coat of snow. Unfortunately, the final portion of the trail was underwater and we were unable to make it to the falls, though we still enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to get out in nature with our kids. If you’re visiting the southern part of Adirondack Park and staying near Wells, Speculator, or Lake Pleasant, consider adding the hike to Auger Falls to your itinerary.