Paterson Great Falls with kids

Did you know New Jersey had a National Park? 

We drove out there to explore and it was quite impressive!  Paterson Great Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the US measuring 300 feet wide and 77 feet high!  This location is as quick or long as you make of it with a parking lot right next to the falls with additional parking down the street.  

There is a short walk you take down to the base of the falls as well as a short walk up to a foot bridge for a view of the top of the falls.

The museum was closed due to COVID-19.  Luckily there was a ranger tent set up so my kids could get a Junior Ranger booklet.  If you have kids make sure you stop by Visitor centers to get them a Junior Ranger booklet.  

If they finish the activities they can get a pin from the Park Rangers to become a Junior Ranger for that National Park.  It is one of my kids favorite things to do and collect when we go to any National Park.  

A few fun facts we learned about the Great Falls:

-In 1791, Alexander Hamilton as the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, created the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manutactures (S.U.M.) because he believed the new country should have a strong and secure economy not be dependent on other nations.  

-In 1792, S.U.M. developed the Town of Paterson as America's first planned industrial city.  

-Civil engineer Pierre Charles L/Enfant was commissioned to design a system fo canals known as raceways to supply power the mills in the new city.  

-After 100 years of waterpower the city built a hydroelectric plant across from the falls to provide electricity to the mills.  

-To this day the Great Falls create electricity that provides "green energy" to homes and businesses in the nearby area.

-In 1976, President Gerald Ford designated Paterson Great Falls as a National Historic Landmark distric.  

-In 2007, New Jersey designated it Great Falls State Park.  

-In 2011, Paterson Great Falls State Park was designated as the 397th National Park - Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.