3 waterfalls within 3 hours of Long Island

Waterfalls are among nature’s most beautiful spectacles. And while they may seem a bit exotic to Long Islanders, three of these wonders are within about three hours from home. From the Hudson Valley to Connecticut, this trio will make for an adventurous day trip or weekend getaway.

AWOSTING FALLS

5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson

A trip to Awosting Falls in Minnewaska State Park Preserve is worth the trip to Ulster County, especially in the autumn.

Featuring a 65-foot drop, Awosting Falls can be accessed by various trails inside the park, according to the website for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The cascade was featured on an episode of Apple TV’s “Severance” earlier this year when several characters were incorrectly told it was the “tallest waterfall on the planet.”

Awosting Falls is also near Minnewaska’s entrance, making it a convenient destination for those who wish to see the falls without exploring the rest of the park.

There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle, with spaces available in two parking lots, parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska.

KAATERSKILL FALLS

103 Laurel House Rd., Haines Falls

Head to the eastern Catskills and you’ll find Kaaterskill Falls.

The two-tiered waterfall — which drops 260 feet, according to the nonprofit Catskills Visitor Center — is a sight to behold on Spruce Creek. Surrounded by lush greenery and pastoral beauty, the falls have inspired many great painters and authors who depict the waterfall as the idyllic sight it is, according to Patty Austin, director of tourism for Greene County Tourism.

“For over two centuries, Kaaterskill Falls has captivated visitors with its dramatic beauty and rich history,” she said.

The round-trip hike to the base of the falls is 1.4 miles, and it is advised that visitors adhere to the trail signs and not veer off the path, as conditions can be slippery. Parking is available, and visitors can also take the Kaaterskill Trolley (kaaterskilltrolley.com) for $10 to access the falls, dec.ny.gov/places/kaaterskill-wild-forest.

CHAPMAN FALLS

366 Hopyard Rd., East Haddam, Connecticut

Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Connecticut is home to Chapman Falls. The 60-foot waterfall drops from the Eightmile River, which plays host to one of the most popular fishing spots for trout.

“It’s very accessible and very scenic in the fall,” said James Ventres, the land use administrator for the Town of East Haddam.

If you’re one for eerie tales, the potholes in stones in the park are said to have been made by the devil himself when he stomped his foot in rage after getting his tail wet, according to the Connecticut state parks website. Geologists, on the other hand, attribute the formations to rocks that got caught in an eddy while traveling downstream, ctparks.com/parks/devils-hopyard-state-park.