© 2001 Jon Binder
Overview
Ratings (ratings explained)
Power: 5/10
Beauty: 2/10
Ease of Access: 9/10
Pratt's Falls is a 137-foot waterfall located in Manilus, Onondaga County, near Syracuse. A short trail leads to the falls.
Photos
Directions
Take I-481 to Jamesville exit 2. From here, go south on Jamesville Road to NYS route 91. Drive south on NY 91 for about 6 miles to Pratt's Falls Road. Turn left onto this road, and follow the signs for "Pratt's Falls County Park." There is a $1 admission fee per vehicle in season. Park in the very large lot and follow the signs to the falls.
Description
Judging by the size of the parking lot (it's huge), this park gets extremely heavy use in the summer months. Nonetheless, it's a short five minute walk to the falls. The trail leads down some steps, with inconspicuous metal railings, to a viewpoint about midway up the 137-foot falls.
While railings discourage going down to the base of the falls, it is possible with caution, as the slope is extremely steep and unstable. The falls are nice, but not wonderful. Perhaps if I was there when there was some green around my opinion of the area would be different, but overall, Pratt's Falls is nothing special. The metal railings and potentially huge crowds undoubtedly take away from this area. However, the falls are so easily accessible, and so close to Syracuse, that a visit is indeed worthwhile.
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Page Last Revised: February 21, 2002
