High Falls Gorge vs. Ausable Chasm: How Do These Adirondack Attractions Compare?
Two of the most popular attractions in the Adirondacks are High Falls Gorge and Ausable Chasm. Both were carved by the Ausable River, both showcase dramatic waterfalls and towering rock well, and both have been welcoming visitors for over 100 years.
Because they seem like similar attractions upon first glance, you might be wondering which one to visit - our easy answer is both! But, you may be wondering about how accessible they are, how kid-friendly, pricing, and how the overall experiences differ.
Discover the difference between High Falls Gorge and Ausable Chasm below!
At a Glance
High Falls Gorge
- Located in Wilmington on Route 86, near Whiteface Mountain, a short drive from Lake Placid
- 22-acre, privately owned nature park, welcoming visitors since the 1890s
- Four waterfalls you can get close enough to feel the mist
- Self-guided walk, typically about 45 minutes
- Easier terrain, with a flat path option, benches, handrails
- Summer season from early May through late October, winter season from mid-December through March
- Admission is $20 for ages 13+ and $15 for ages 4 to 12
Ausable Chasm
- Located near Keesville, just off I-87, about 45 minutes from Lake Placid
- Opened in 1870, making it one of the oldest natural attractions in the US
- Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks"
- Hiking, raft and tube floats, a via ferrata, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking
- Plan for at least 2 hours, up to a full day or weekend
- More stairs and rugged terrain throughout
- Trails open year-round (weather permitting), with river activities running mid-May through Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend
- Basic trail admission starts at $19.95 for ages 13+, $11.95 for ages 5-12, with packages like the Classic Tour at $49.95 for ages 13+,
Gilded Age Gem VS American Original
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge has provided visitors with safe access to an otherwise unreachable, narrow granite-walled gorge since the 1890s. Early visitors made their way along rugged wooden footbridges and beaten paths. Today, those have been replaced with sturdy steel bridges, decked walkways, and groomed paths.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm opened to the public in 1870, just five years after the end of the Civil War and 22 years before the Adirondack Park was established. That makes it one of the country's very first organized tourist attractions, and more than 11 million visitors have explored it since.
For the Geology Fans
High Falls Gorge
At High Falls Gorge, you can touch an anorthosite boulder that's over 1.5 billion years old. Anorthosite is the base rock of the Adirondacks, and it's similar to rock found on the moon!
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm's towering walls are made of Potsdam sandstone, roughly 500 million years old, shaped by the Ausable River since the end of the last Ice Age.
In other words, one lets you touch some of the oldest rock on Earth, and the other lets you walk between walls of it hundreds of feet tall.
The Scenery: Up-Close & Intimate VS Grand & Dramatic
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge's biggest draw is just how close you can get to the water. Its four waterfalls are strong and powerful, and many visitors say the views are impressive from nearly every angle along the walkways.
Highlights include:
- Two glass platforms (summer season only) that suspend you over the rushing Ausable River
- The Climax Forest, a protected stand of American hemlocks hundreds of years old and one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the Adirondacks
- One of New York's largest natural potholes, formed by river currents grinding stone against the riverbed
- Named features along the trail like Rainbow Falls, Climax Falls, Whirlpool Cove, and the Master Pothole
- Educational signage throughout, plus wildflowers in late spring and brilliant foliage in the fall
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm earns its "Grand Canyon" nickname with sheer scale. You'll descend hundreds of feet below the rim on stone walkways, bridges, and stairways, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and primeval forest.
Highlights include:
- Rainbow Falls (yes, both attractions have one!)
- Elephant's Head, one of the Chasm's most recognizable formations
- Column Rock, Hyde's Cave, and the serene Mystic Gorge
- The Grand Flume, the narrowest and deepest section of the Chasm, best seen from a raft or tube
- Interpretive signs covering native plants, wildlife, and geology
Peaceful Walk VS Adventure Park
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge keeps things simple, which is part of its charm. There are two ways to see the falls:
- The Easy Path Trail: A half-mile round trip on gravel and decking with no stairs, and benches along the way
- The Waterfall Loop: A half-mile round trip over suspended wooden walkways, with open stairs, handrails, and the glass platforms
Groups with mixed abilities can split up between the two paths and regroup quickly.
If you're up for more adventure, there's a separate one-mile nature trail rated beginner to intermediate. It climbs about 300 feet up the side of Whiteface Mountain, takes around 30 minutes, and includes steep inclines and uneven, rocky ground. Closed-toe shoes are required, and the trail may close on stormy days.
In summer, you can round out your visit at the riverside Woodlands Picnic Area.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm is where the high-energy action is. Popular experiences include:
- Hiking trails: Over five miles of self-guided trails, including the Rim Walk Trail (2 miles), Dry Chasm Trail (1.5 miles), Inner Sanctum Trail (1 mile), and the Rainbow Falls & Elephant's Head Vista (half a mile)
- Raft Float Tours: A guided family float through the lower chasm, with no minimum age (guests must weigh at least 30 lbs.)
- Tubing Float: A summer-only float for ages 8+, with height and weight requirements
- Riverwalk Tour: A guided walk for ages 5+, starting with a 200-step descent into the Chasm and crossing two suspension bridges beside the river
- Adventure Trail (Via Ferrata): A guided, harnessed route for ages 8+ with cable bridges, a cargo net climb, and edge walks over the river
- Rappelling: A two-hour guided course for ages 13+, including an 80-foot rappel and a cable traverse suspended high above the river
- Rock Climbing: Guided sessions for ages 13+, with routes for first-timers and experienced climbers
- Mountain Biking & Disc golf: Over 15 miles of biking trails at the Recreation Center at Ausable Chasm Campground, with rentals available
The most popular option is the Classic Tour, which pairs a hike through the upper chasm with a float through the lower chasm. After your float, you can explore more trails or hop on a trolley back to the Welcome Center.
Pricing & How Much Time You'll Need
High Falls Gorge
- Admission: $20 for ages 13+, $15 for ages 4 to 12
- Time Needed: Plan on at least 45 minutes for the waterfall walk, plus about 30 minutes if you add the nature trail
Ausable Chasm
- Basic Trails admission: $19.95 for ages 13+, $11.95 for ages 5 to 12
- Classic Tour (Trails plus Scenic Float): $49.95 for ages 13+, $39.95 for ages 5 to 12
- Rappelling and Rock Climbing: $75 per person, plus Chasm admission
- Additional Packages: Other options include the Explorer Package (trails, float tour, and Riverwalk), a Premium Package for the Adventure Trail plus a float, and a Stay & Play package with the campground
- Time needed: A minimum of two hours, though many visitors spend most of the day
Ausable Chasm carries a higher price tag, especially if you add activities, but you're also getting a lot more to do. High Falls Gorge is the more budget-friendly option for a shorter scenic stop.
Visiting Year-Round: Summer Splendor & Winter Ice
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge has two distinct seasons. Summer (early May through late October) brings wildflowers, lush greenery, and fall foliage.
Winter (mid-December through March) transforms the gorge into a gallery of ice formations along the granite cliffs. Staff clear the waterfall walk with snow blowers and shovels, and Yaktrax traction devices are provided to wear over your footwear. On weekends and holidays, there's a campfire with marshmallow roasting. Weather permitting, you can also snowshoe the one-mile nature trail for an additional fee, with rentals available.
High Falls Gorge is closed in April, November, and the first half of December, plus Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and IRONMAN Lake Placid Sunday. Their website lays out the full schedule, including last admission times.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm's trails are open year-round, weather permitting. Certain activities may close for a season, or have limited availability - for example, the raft tours go into fall, but are not available on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Each season has its appeal:
- Spring brings roaring waterfalls and high river flows
- Summer offers the full lineup of activities
- Fall features foliage and comfortable hiking temperatures (note some activity schedules shrink, such as no raft tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Winter brings snow-covered cliffs and ice formations
Ausable Chasm is open rain or shine, and waterfalls can be even more dramatic after rainfall.
Crowd & Wait Times
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge tends to be less crowded, though the paths can get busy at peak times.
Ausable Chasm
At Ausable Chasm, float tours are very popular in summer, and reservations aren't accepted for most activities. Wait times can exceed 60 minutes between 11am and 2pm, so arriving early (they open at 9am daily) is your best bet. The Adventure Trail can sell out on busy days. Rappelling and rock climbing are the only activities that require reservations.
Accessibility & Mobility
Neither attraction is fully accessible, and this is one of the most common questions visitors ask.
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge is the easier of the two. The Easy Path Trail has no stairs and includes benches, making it a good option for older visitors and anyone who prefers flatter ground. The park notes that parts of the path are wheelchair accessible, and one wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the admission gate. That said, some visitors report that stairs are needed to see the full loop, so we recommend calling ahead if mobility is a concern.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm's Welcome Center, including the café, gift shop, and museum, is ADA compliant. However, the outdoor trails include staircases, uneven surfaces, and narrow walkways, and are not wheelchair accessible. The Chasm does not recommend its tours for visitors who have difficulty walking or managing stairs, though some visitors have found gentler walking options by sticking to certain marked routes.
Visiting With Kids & Teens
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge is a great pick for families with little ones. Fencing is at least four feet high with metal mesh, and strollers work well on the Easy Path Trail. For the walkways, stairs, and nature trail (and all winter visits), a backpack carrier is recommended instead.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm is a crowd favorite for families with older kids and teens. In online travel forums, parents frequently point to the Chasm as the better choice for teens, thanks to the tubing, via ferrata, and climbing options. Strollers are not permitted in the Chasm, but backpack carriers are available to rent.
Food & Gift Shops
High Falls Gorge
The River View Cafe gets high marks for food that's better than you'd expect at an attraction. In summer (Memorial Day through Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend), it serves Adirondack-style pub fare, specialty coffee, and snacks. In winter (mid-December through March, Friday through Tuesday), there's a lighter menu of soups, sandwiches, baked goods, espresso drinks, and hot chocolate.
The gift shop features local, handcrafted merchandise, and visitors love the mystery bags. Picnic lunches are welcome in the Woodlands Picnic Area from May through October (no alcohol or grills).
Ausable Chasm
The seasonal cafe in the Welcome Center serves made-to-order sandwiches, paninis, burgers, pizza, nachos, and soups, with signature menu items named after Chasm landmarks. The gift shop showcases souvenirs, apparel, and work from local artisans, and gift cards are available.
Getting There & Parking
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge sits right on Route 86 in Wilmington, making it an easy add-on to a Lake Placid or Whiteface Mountain trip. Cars, motorcycles, and RVs can park on the west side of the building. There's an ATM on site, and major credit cards are accepted.
Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm is located near Keeseville, just off I-87, which makes it a convenient stop for travelers heading north toward Plattsburgh or Montreal, or those staying near Lake Champlain. It's about 45 minutes from Lake Placid. Lockers are available to rent, which comes in handy if you're rafting or tubing.
There are no EV chargers at either attraction. Parking is free at both.
Pets & Drones
This is an easy one - neither allows pets or drones.
Hear It From the Guests
High Falls Gorge
This place is beautiful and very easily walkable for children and older folks. There is a few short staircases, but mostly flat terrain. Gorgeous views of the waterfall and fun gift shop to browse with reasonable prices. Takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace to walk through. - Elizabeth B. on Google Reviews
Ausable Chasm
Visited for the first time with my Dad this weekend. We did the “explorer package” which included the basic trails, guided riverwalk tour, and scenic float tour. Great views and an overall fantastic time. We wanted to thank our enthusiastic tour guide Jonathan for an awesome river walk tour! I recommend arriving early (when it opens at 9am) to avoid lines, and wear closed toed shoes! - Kylie G. on Google Reviews
Which Is Right for Your Adirondack Excursion?
Choose High Falls Gorge if: you want a shorter, more relaxed visit with up-close waterfall views, easier walking options, and a lower price point. It's ideal for young kids, multi-generational groups, and anyone staying in the Lake Placid, Wilmington, or Whiteface area. It's also a standout winter outing.
Choose Ausable Chasm if: you want a full day of adventure, especially with teens or thrill-seekers. Rafting, tubing, climbing, and miles of trails make it a true destination in its own right, and it's easy to reach from the Northway.
Have the time? Do both! Many visitors say each is worth seeing, and the two could pair well on a multi-day Adirondack trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About High Falls Gorge & Ausable Chasm
What's the main difference between High Falls Gorge and Ausable Chasm?
High Falls Gorge is a smaller, more intimate nature park with a self-guided walk past four waterfalls, typically taking about 45 minutes. Ausable Chasm is a larger adventure destination with miles of hiking trails, plus rafting, tubing, a via ferrata, rappelling, and rock climbing.
Which one should I visit if I only have time for one?
It depends on your group! High Falls Gorge is ideal for a shorter, relaxed visit with up-close waterfall views, especially with young kids or older visitors. Ausable Chasm is the better pick if you want a full day of adventure, particularly with teens.
Can I visit both on the same day?
Yes, especially in the summer. We recommend arriving at Ausable Chasm when it opens at 9am to beat the crowds, then heading to High Falls Gorge in the afternoon. Just check High Falls Gorge's last admission time for the day you're visiting.
How far are they from Lake Placid?
High Falls Gorge is in Wilmington, a short drive from Lake Placid on Route 86. Ausable Chasm is near Keeseville, about 45 minutes from Lake Placid and just off the Adirondack Northway (I-87).
How much does each cost?
High Falls Gorge admission is $20 for ages 13+ and $15 for ages 4 to 12. At Ausable Chasm, Basic Trails admission starts at $19.95 for ages 13+ and $11.95 for ages 5 to 12, and the Classic Tour (trails plus a scenic float) is $49.95 for ages 13+ and $39.95 for ages 5 to 12. Prices are subject to change, so check each website before you go.
How much time should I plan for each?
Plan on at least 45 minutes at High Falls Gorge, or about an hour and 15 minutes if you add the nature trail. At Ausable Chasm, plan on a minimum of two hours, though many visitors spend most of the day.
Do I need reservations?
High Falls Gorge sells tickets online, and groups of 20 or more need a reservation. At Ausable Chasm, tickets for most activities can be purchased online or upon arrival at the Welcome Center, but rappelling and rock climbing do require advanced reservations. It's easiest to buy tickets online ahead of time.
Which is better for people with mobility issues?
High Falls Gorge is the easier option. Its half-mile Easy Path Trail has no stairs and includes benches, and one wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ausable Chasm's Welcome Center is ADA compliant, but its trails involve stairs and uneven terrain and are not wheelchair accessible. We recommend calling either attraction ahead of your visit.
Which is better for young children?
High Falls Gorge is more manageable for little ones, with a stroller-friendly Easy Path Trail and fencing at least four feet high. Strollers aren't allowed at Ausable Chasm, but backpack carriers are available to rent, and raft tours have no minimum age (riders must weigh at least 30 lbs.).
Which is better for teenagers?
Ausable Chasm is the go-to for teens, with tubing, the Adventure Trail via ferrata, and, for ages 13+, rappelling and rock climbing.
What is a via ferrata?
A via ferrata is a protected climbing route where you stay clipped to a steel cable anchored to the rock the entire time. Ausable Chasm's guided Adventure Trail features cable bridges, a cargo net climb, and edge walks over the Ausable River, and no climbing experience is needed. It's open to ages 8+, with reach, weight, and waist-size requirements.
Are they open in the winter?
Yes! High Falls Gorge's winter season runs mid-December through March, featuring ice formations, traction devices provided at no extra cost, weekend campfires, and snowshoeing (for an added fee). Ausable Chasm's trails are open year-round, weather permitting, though river activities run mid-May through Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend.
When are they closed?
High Falls Gorge is closed all of April, all of November, and the first half of December, plus Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and IRONMAN Lake Placid Sunday. Ausable Chasm's trails are open year round, but the additional activities vary by season, so check their website or call ahead.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes work well for the High Falls Gorge waterfall walk, but closed-toe shoes are required for its nature trail. At Ausable Chasm, sturdy closed-toe shoes are required for many activities, and footwear you don't mind getting wet is recommended for float tours. In winter, dress warmly and in layers at both.
Can I bring my dog?
Neither attraction allows pets.
Is there food on site?
Yes, both have cafes. High Falls Gorge's River View Cafe serves Adirondack-style pub fare in summer and a lighter menu in winter, and picnics are welcome in the Woodlands Picnic Area from May through October. Ausable Chasm's seasonal cafe serves made-to-order sandwiches, paninis, burgers, soups, and more.
Is parking free?
Parking is free at both attractions!
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