Areas of the park can be dramatically affected by weather & temperatures - take proper precautions for a safe, enjoyable visit
VIP Terry McKenna
Ensure your visit to Paterson Great Falls is memorable for the right reasons! Take the time to plan your visit and follow these guidelines and regulations:
Observe all instructions given by rangers for safety & ease of access
VIP Terry McKenna
General Guidelines:
• In case of emergency, call 911 immediately. Alert a ranger if possible
• Park programs are outdoors, given rain or shine, dangerous conditions excepting. Wear appropriate clothing - during the summertime, wear loose-fitting garments, sunscreen, and bring plenty of water and snacks. In the wintertime, wear layers and avoid cold and wet exposure.
• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes. The park and it's environs have paved and unpaved paths with uneven footing. Guided tours led by the National Park Service, or its designees, can follow paved, wheelchair-accessible routes (assistance may be required, especially along narrow city sidewalks). If you have any concerns or questions, review our accessibility resources or contact the park.
• Be aware: in winter the river water above and below the Falls may freeze over; water will continue to flow underneath the ice, which is thin and dangerous. Snow covered ice may look like solid land - watch out for icy surfaces and stay on designated walking paths. If the weather worsens, the park may need to close quickly without advanced notice - alerts will be posted as soon as possible.
• Stay on designated paths and trails and do not climb or cross barriers. Walls and railings are often slippery with water or ice - in winter, areas of the park may be closed for safety. No photo is worth falling!
• Parts of the park are located in woodland areas. Carefully check for ticks; wear long pants and use insect repellant to prevent them. In the spring/summer bees and wasps may be present - If allergic, please bring your epinephrine auto injector.
• Watch out for poisonous plants such as poison ivy, and know how to identify them.
• Pets must be kept on a six-foot "hard" (non-retractable) leash at all times. Observe all pet guidelines and regulations.
• The park is located in a busy urban area. Drive safely, wear your seatbelt at all times, and watch for pedestrians. Lock vehicles when parked, and avoid leaving valuables visible or unattended.
• Please be aware of traffic, use crosswalks, and pay attention as you cross.
Be safe and respect wildlife - keep a safe distance and don't feed the animals
NPS
Keep Wildlife Wild
Though it may seem like our "cute and cuddly" wildlife could use a handout, don't be fooled. There is plenty of natural food for them at the park, and they know where to find it. While it may seem as though feeding them will make their lives easier, it usually does the opposite.
There are many reasons the quote, "A fed animal is a dead animal" is true. When animals are taught that humans can be trusted, they tend to approach people and rely more on their food. This is akin to eating junk food, and fed wildlife will gnaw through backpacks, purses, jackets, and will rifle through garbage pails looking for the junk food they crave. Not only is this a nuisance for humans, it hurts the animals. Human food does not provide them with the nutrients they need.
"Tame" animals may act as if they want to be pet so they will be fed. Don't be fooled. Some of these animals - notably mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and groundhogs - can be carriers of disease such as bubonic plague. These animals often lose their fear of people and have been known to bite humans in order to get at snacks. Finally, animals will approach vehicles and are more likely to be run over than their truly wild relatives.
Feeding often encourages species of animals or waterfowl not normally found in the area to concentrate. Without human feeding, these increased populations can be unsustainable, increase stress for animals fighting for this food, eases the spread of disease, and in some cases lead to concentrated breeding which increases hybridization which can eventually weaken the gene pool in certain species.
It may seem like sharing your left over potato chips with a local groundhog, goose, or squirrel could help curb their hunger, but feeding wildlife hurts them and possibly you. Please respect all wildlife - leaving them alone and wild. If the presence of you or your pet changes the behavior of any wild animal, you are too close.
COVID-19 Impacts
How Will Covid-19 Affect My Visit?
When the COVID-19 Community Level is LOW or MEDIUM in the county or all the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals are not required to wear masks.
VIP Terry McKenna
When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in the county or all the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the CDC, all individuals over the age of two must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to, park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops and restaurants.
When the COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in one or more, but not all, of the counties where the park is located based on data provided by the CDC, the superintendent will determine whether individuals are required to wear masks. The requirement, if any, will apply to all facilities within the park. Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
Paterson Great Falls is located in Passaic County, NJ. The current community level can be found here: COVID-19 by County | CDC
Regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level, individuals may wear masks if they choose to do so. Where a state, local, tribal, or territorial government where the park is located imposes more protective mask-wearing requirements than those indicated by the COVID-19 Community Level, individuals must follow those more protective requirements within the park. More protective state, local, tribal, or territorial mask-wearing requirements are hereby adopted as federal requirements in all units of the National Park System located within that state, locality, area subject to a federally recognized Indian tribe’s regulatory jurisdiction, or territory, regardless of a particular park’s jurisdictional status.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. Since the City of Paterson owns some property within the park boundary, our operational approach examines each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations are regularly monitored and comply with current public health guidance from the Federal Government, State Government and the City of Paterson. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, park vehicles in designated parking spaces, practice Leave No Trace principles (carry in, carry out trash), avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. Regardless of conditions, Plan like a Park Ranger and be familiar with our safety guidelines.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
For More Information About Covid-19:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/
New Jersey's Covid-19 Information Hub - https://covid19.nj.gov/
