First Person: Top Three Waterfalls to Visit in St. Lawrence County

When searching for colleges to apply to my senior year of high school, I was looking for a school that was the perfect distance from home and was close to water. I grew up camping on the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay and that is how I stumbled on St. Lawrence University during my college search.

I immediately fell in love with this school and the surrounding area. Although Canton is a small town, it provides a perfect opportunity for students to get more in touch with nature. My favorite thing to do when I have free time or need a break from studying is to drive out to the river in Waddington and sit on the dock and watch the boats go by. One of the best things about this area is the amount of exploring that students can do. 

Following County Route 27 from campus, it takes about 20 minutes to get to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in St. Lawrence County, Lampson Falls. The falls is about 40 feet tall and 100 feet wide with a picnic and swimming area located at the bottom. On campus, I work as a Community Assistant and I know that my residents spent almost every weekend of their fall semester at Lampson Falls.

Much like Lampson Falls, another beautiful waterfall located on the Grasse River and follows Route 27 is Harper Falls. Harper Falls is a bit more hidden, but only requires a short hike from the parking lot to get to. It is also a great place to camp for a weekend, as the site is located at the end of the hiking trail close to the falls. If you enjoy hiking, biking, or swimming, these falls are definitely a must-see.

If you are an avid hiker and enjoy sightseeing, another gorgeous destination that follows a network of trails ranging from one to eight miles, is Stone Valley Falls. This is easily one of my favorite places to hike because it is an easy/moderate trail and the falls along the river are truly amazing to see. The Stone Valley Trails are located in Colton, NY and are easily reached by following NY-68 East to Colton and then taking a left on main street onto Riverside Drive.

Each of these waterfalls are amazing places to explore while you are in the North Country! My favorite thing to do on the weekend is to go hiking or sit and study by the river, both of which these places are perfect for.

Even though the town of Canton seems a bit small, it's close to vast outdoor areas that are just waiting to be explored!