Bog River Falls

If you approach this location from the west, take NYSR 30 south from the village of Tupper Lake.  Make a note of your mileage as you go by the Adirondack Medical Center.  You will have the lake on your right for several miles.  At the very southern end of Tupper Lake, just over eight miles from the Adirondack Medical Center, Rt 421 will be on your right.  If approaching from the other direction, Rt 421 will be about 1.5 miles from the Hamilton/Franklin county line.  Traffic signs at this corner will indicate "Horseshoe Lake" and there is a DEC sign for the "Bog River Area".  In about 0.6 miles, the road will take a bend to the left and you will cross a small bridge.  There is a little turn-off/parking area just past the bridge on the left.

These falls are somewhat unique.  Most waterfalls are on a river or stream somewhere upstream of the outlet.  The Bog River Falls are comprised basically of two parts.  The upper part is estimated to be just under 8' and is split around a small island just upstream from this bridge.  The lower part accounts for the remainder of the 30' drop and is right under the bridge.  The bottom of this part is at the outlet to Tupper Lake.  Right across the road from the parking area, there is a trail leading to the lake shore where there are better views of the bottom.

Another interesting bit about these falls are that they are in St. Lawrence County.  When you travel Route 30, however,  you are in Franklin County.  According to maps, the portion of Route 30 by the Route 421 intersection is in St. Lawrence County, as is Route 421.  There are no county line signs marking this from either direction.

The Bog River flows into Tupper Lake, which feeds the Raquette River. The Raquette flows into the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York.

Hover on any of the thumbnails to see an enlarged image