Paterson Great Falls NHP - Schedule
As of January 1st, 2023, park staff will be available onsite 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Wednesday - Sunday. The park grounds remain open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. Portable toilets are available at the Overlook Park parking lot at our main address and are unlocked from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, staff permitting.
Upcoming changes to the park schedule can be reviewed by checking our Operating Hours & Seasons.
Check our Park Tours and Special Programs page for up-to-date tour offerings and schedules, as well as links to our Educational Programs.
Parking
In general, there is free four-hour parking available at Overlook Park (72 McBride Avenue Extension) for park guests. Additional limited free streetside parking is available on Maple Street beside the entrance to Mary Ellen Kramer Park near Hinchliffe Stadium.
Please note: Parking at Overlook Park is limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Additional parking is available within walking distance downtown at several Paterson Parking Authority locations.
Please assist the City of Paterson in their trash collection efforts by practicing Leave No Trace principles (carry out your trash).
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.
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.
The Paterson Great Falls is located in Passaic County, NJ. The current community level can be found here: COVID-19 by County | CDC
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.
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 the park property, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance from the Federal Government, State Government and the City of Paterson and are regularly monitored. 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.
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/
