Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
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Paterson Great Falls at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Main Paterson Great Falls highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Gateway towns in NJ
Explore this park
About Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 1792, Paterson was established as America's first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills rose industries that changed the face of the nation.
4 current NPS alerts
- Information: Friday November 6, 2026 11AM Tour to Be Replaced With Special Program
- Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
- Information: Note About Using GPS for Directions
- +1 more in the Alerts tab
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 10, 2026). Official Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park page on nps.gov
Operating Hours
General Park Hours
Grounds are open 7 days a weel and Rangers are available 9:00AM-4:30PM Wednesday-Sunday . Please call 973-523-0370 or 201-458-3475(park cell number) the day of your visit to ensure tour availability. Grounds open suggested time for visiting grounds between sunrise-sunset. The National Park's main visitor parking lot at 72 McBride Avenue Extension will be closed every day sometime after dark and reopened every morning between 7:45am and 8:45am.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdayAll Day
- Wednesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 4:30PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 4:30PM
Common questions
Planning Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Paterson Great Falls. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
