Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
522.00 ft (159.11 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.20 mi (1.93 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Stag Brook Trail at Whiteface Mountain is a waterfall-lover's dream that features over a dozen waterfalls packed into a half mile.

You begin by parking in the main lot and walking across the bridge that spans the West Branch Ausable River. Heading toward the main building, you’ll see a dirt road that leads up the mountain and joins another road at a T intersection. Here you will see the trailhead straight ahead next to the brook. The red-blazed trail parallels Stag Brook the entire way, crossing once. Note: You will see old blue blazes that follow the same trail so do not be confused.

As you continue along the brook, you will notice several picturesque waterfalls, one with a picnic table nearby. The trail comes to meet a dirt road that you will cross to find the trail continuing on the other side. Once again, the trail follows the brook. 

After crossing the road, the waterfalls will be immediately visible. It could be argued that this series of falls is really one massive waterfall as it seems to rise the entire stretch of what the eye can see and ends with a 20-foot high block cascade. However, this series of step and flume cascades is just the beginning on this half of the trail.

Once above the block cascade, you will find several more unique waterfalls of differing shapes and sizes.

The trail ends at a large, narrow gorge where you will see one last waterfall from a distance in the gorge. To return, you can either follow the trail back down or walk down the mountain on one of the slopes and enjoy the views.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

A bounty of waterfalls. Small crowds. Great views.

Cons

None.

Trailhead Elevation

1,327.00 ft (404.47 m)

Features

Waterfalls
Bird watching
Wildlife
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers
Fishing

Location

Comments

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