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Fawns Leap

Haines Falls, New York

2.3/5
based on 4 reviews

Description

Added by Kyle Pierce

This 30 foot cliff is a gem buried in the Catskill Mountains that features excellent swimming in crystal-clear turquoise water. Please be responsible and pack in out what you pack in.

Please be respectful if visiting this local swimming hole. Pack out what you pack in, carry out others' trash, and familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles. 

Hidden in the Catskill Mountains is one of the coolest cliff jumping locations I have ever been to. The first time I went was a failed attempt on finding the legendary cliff called Fawns Leap. On my second trip, I didn't want it to be another failed attempt so I decided to just hike and wade all the way up the stream.

From Palenville, NY drive up scenic rt23A until you cross a bridge. Shortly after the bridge there is street parking on the right. Walk down hill back toward the bridge. When approaching the first small bend, look over the guardrail and down the hill and you should see it. You can't see it from driving on the street because of the drop off.

Looking straight ahead from the bottom of the waterfall there is a path that leads up to the left that has a rope to help walk up the steep hill. You can jump from the sides or from right over the waterfall into the clear mountain water.

I always recommend bringing a pair of goggles to any cliff jumping spot so you can swim in and check the water before you jump. Make sure its deep enough and there is no debris (logs, rocks, etc.) in the water. Fawns Leap is probably about 12-15 deep and is suitable for its cliff height.

A little up the road is Kaaterskill Falls - a massive double waterfall that you can swim in as well. I recommend checking that out while you're there!

Have fun and be safe! Bring an extra trash bag to pack out what others may have left. 

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Features

Photography
River
Waterfall
Swimming Hole

Fawns Leap Reviews

Quite a nice little spot. Crowded on a Monday so I bet it’s crazy on a summer weekend. The standard cliff jump is nowhere near 40 feet, by the way. You could maybe push 40 if you jumped off the higher slanted boulder above the falls like a lunatic? But the regular one is probably under 30.

this would be a beautiful spot if tourists didn't destroy it and cover the entire mountain in garbage forcing the locals to clean it up weekend after weekend only for it to be crowded and disgusting a week later.

THE LOCALS ARE PISSED BECAUSE OF THE OVERCROWDING, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE NATURAL HABITAT AND THE GARBAGE THAT IS LEFT BEHIND SO THE TOWNS OF HUNTER AND CATSKILL ARE NOW DOING FULL ENFORCEMENT. IF YOU PARK ILLEGALLY YOU WILL GET A $150.00 TICKET AND YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED (ANOTHER $450.00). IF YOU GET CAUGHT TRESPASSING, YOU WILL BE ARRESTED AFTER ONE OF THE PISSED OFF LOCALS TAKES A SHOT AT YOU! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY!

So many people are leaving trash there that it is just disgusting. Please if you carry things in with you, carry it out. Don't just leave beer cans and wrappers everywhere like the last few years.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Layman's Monument and Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls

Hike to Newman's Ledge

Summit North Mountain

Hike to Huckleberry Point

Hike to Plattekill Falls