Bog River Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on the Bog River in St. Lawrence County, New York, where the river ends directly in Big Tupper Lake, about 7.7 miles southwest of the village of Tupper Lake. A stone bridge on Route 421 crosses it, and the falls are a local swimming, fishing and picnic spot.
The falls
The falls come in two parts. The upper section, estimated at just under 8 feet, splits around a small island just upstream of the bridge. The steeper lower section runs beneath the stone bridge and cascades straight into the lake, so the river has no downstream run below the falls. The total drop is 30 feet.
Getting there
From the village of Tupper Lake, take NY Route 30 south to Route 421, turn right and drive about 0.75 mile. A small unpaved lot for about 6-7 vehicles sits on the left just past the bridge. Herd paths run along both banks to the top of the falls and the lake shore; an easy 0.2-mile round trip is listed. The falls are on state land in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest, part of the DEC's Bog River Complex.
When to go
Spring brings peak flow; by late summer and fall the Adirondack falls usually carry less water.
On site
The stone bridge is a handicap-accessible viewpoint. Large flat rocks beside the falls are used for sunbathing and picnics, and there are picnic tables near the parking area; posted signs prohibit overnight camping. Tupper Lake's tourism office rates the falls as one of the best natural waterslides in the Adirondacks, but advises first-timers to go with someone who knows the falls, wear a life jacket and keep a spotter in the middle pool, and to swim elsewhere when the water is high and fast. Anglers fish the base of the falls for brook trout and largemouth bass, and loons are especially plentiful, along with osprey, ravens and bald eagles.
Paddlers can launch from a short dirt path behind the parking area and travel about 2 miles upstream on the gentle, motor-free river. On the way back, take the left channel to the put-in rather than drifting over the falls.
History and name
The stone bridge was completed about 1925 as part of Route 421, built to reach the American Legion Camp recovery infirmaries; the road was extended in 1968 and overhauled in 1980. Tupper Lake marked the bridge's 100th year in 2025.
Nearby
Upper Falls on the Raquette River is about 10.7 miles away, Raquette Falls about 11 miles and Buttermilk Falls on the Raquette River about 15.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.