Ausable Chasm

About this spectacle

Ausable Chasm is a dramatic sandstone gorge carved by the Ausable River in the Adirondack foothills of upstate New York. Visitors walk along narrow canyon pathways where towering reddish-brown walls rise steeply on either side, the river churning through sculpted rapids and pools below. The sheer rock faces display layered geology worn smooth in places and jagged in others, while mist from the rushing water keeps the air cool even in summer heat. Trails wind along the canyon rim and descend to river level, offering perspectives from above and within the chasm itself. Autumn brings spectacular foliage framing the gorge walls with fiery color. The sound of rushing water echoes off the stone, and in places the walls narrow dramatically, creating an almost cathedral-like enclosure. It is one of the oldest natural tourist attractions in the United States, drawing visitors with its accessible yet visually striking river canyon scenery.

When to go

May — Oct, peak Sep — Oct

Getting there

Nearest airport: BTV. Nearest city: Plattsburgh.

Booking options

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