Current Conditions

VIP Terry McKenna

 

Alerts

 

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Current Weather for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

7-Day Forecast 40.91N 74.15W (weather.gov)

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Lat: 40.91611099243164 Long: -74.18138885498047

Last updated:

 

Waterfall Conditions

Curious about the flow of the falls before your visit? Check our live Earthcam to view the current condition of the Great Falls as viewed from Overlook Park!

Pack it in, Pack it out! Practice Leave No Trace principles - properly dispose of trash, leave what you find, and respect wildlife and other visitors to help preserve and protect the park and it's resources.

 

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 grounds are always available, but the best time to see the falls is between sunrise and sunset. The City of Paterson may close the Overlook Park lot after dark situationally. 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 two-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 extremely limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Additional parking is available within walking distance downtown at several Paterson Parking Authority locations including the new Hinchliffe Stadium garage.

 

Safety Guidelines

When visiting any National Park, plan like a Park Ranger! Be sure to follow all safety guidelines, dress for the weather and environment, and be alert for wildlife. For more information, review our safety resources.

 

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/