How to Hike the Indian Ladder Trail at Thacher State Park
Indian Ladder Trail is a quick and easy trail in the Upper Hudson Valley area that packs a big punch. In such a short distance, only 1 mile, you will immediately be rewarded with some epic features like walking behind waterfalls, peaking into caves, and admiring dozens of outstanding views.
Over the past years, we hiked a variety of trails in Upstate New York but for a long time, the Indian Ladder Trail was not even on our list. What a shame! This trail blew us away with its various special features. Especially if you are looking for a stunning hike with little effort, it is a bucket list trail you don’t want to miss.
For an even better experience, hike the trail during fall foliage when the trees are covered with vibrant orange and red leaves.
Let us fill you in on what you need to know about hiking the Indian Ladder Trail in John Boyd Thacher State Park.
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Our Other Resources for Waterfalls in New York State
- Explore the Awosting Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park
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- Stony Kill Falls: Best Kept Secret in Minnewaska State Park
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Where is the Indian Ladder Trail?
Before heading out to hike the Indian Ladder Trail, you have to know where to find it. Indian Ladder Trail is located in John Boyd Thacher State Park about 30 minutes outside of New York’s State Capital, Albany.
About John Boyd Thacher State Park
Address: 830 Thacher Pk Rd, Voorheesville, NY 12186
Opening Hours: The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Fees: $6 per vehicle, collected daily between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from May through October
Note: Keep in mind the Indian Ladder Trail is usually open from the beginning of May to the middle of November each year. Occasionally, the trail can be closed at other times throughout the year due to unsafe trail conditions. It is always a good idea to check the park’s website to see if the trail is open before making your way to the park.
If you plan on visiting more of New York State’s beautiful parks, consider purchasing an Empire Pass. It costs $80 for a year and grants you access to all New York State Parks.
The state park is named after a well-known politician, who served as a senator and mayor of Albany, named John Boyd Thacher. It is located on a prominent feature known as the Helderberg Escarpment.
The Helderberg Escarpment runs for more than 300 miles, however, the approximately 3-mile stretch which runs through the park is probably the most impressive area, featuring remarkable waterfalls and caves.
How to Get to the Indian Ladder Trail
Simply input the park’s address from above into your GPS and hit the road. It is pretty straightforward and easy to find.
Once at John Boyd Thacher State Park, make sure to park in a designated lot, purchase the parking fee at one of the pay meters, and place the ticket on your dashboard.
The trailhead for the Indian Ladder Trail is a little north of the Visitor Center. Try to grab a spot in the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center. If you are standing near the building, the trailhead will be off to the left-hand side. Simply go down the stairs to find the trailhead.
What to Expect Hiking the Indian Ladder Trail
Indian Ladder Trail Statistics
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.0 mile
Type of Hike: Loop
Elevation Gain: about 300 ft
Location: Voorheesville, New York
Time: 40 minutes – 1 hour
You have reached the trailhead to the Indian Ladder Trail. The fun begins.
The trail starts off by heading down to the base of the cliff via a metal staircase. We liked this feature a lot since it is way easier and faster than swerving back and forth down a few switchbacks.
After the climb down the staircase, you will follow the easy trail along the limestone cliff. Expect the path to take some windy bends along the cliff’s edge. The cliff will remain on your right-hand side until it is time to take the stairs back up.
In just a few moments you will reach the trail’s first waterfall. This waterfall doesn’t have an official name but some refer to it as Outlet Falls. This is the smaller of the 2 waterfalls along the trail but it is still very impressive with its approximate 100-foot drop.
The Indian Ladder Trail will continue behind the falls, along the cliffs as you continue to Minelot Falls.
Minelot Falls is the bigger of the 2 waterfalls, however, they do look pretty similar.
We found Minelot Falls a little more fascinating since it has a larger cave-like overhang and is more powerful. It is a popular spot to hang out for a few minutes, so expect smaller crowds around.
After Minelot Falls, the Indian Ladder Trail will continue for a little longer. You will soon reach a section with a very low overhang which requires you to duck down. If hikers are coming from the opposite direction, wait for them to pass.
Shortly after, you will come to the metal staircase which leads you back up. That section of the trail is known as the Escarpment Trail.
Follow the trail to your right which is parallel to the trail you just hiked down below. You will be walking across the top of the Helderberg Escarpment with the cliff overhang being on your right-hand side.
The Escarpment Trail is a wide flat trail that will take you back to where you parked your car.
Do take your time on the Escarpment Trail. There is a viewing point that overlooks the escarpment, Minelot Falls, and the surrounding area. It is quite eye-catching.
As you continue, you will also walk over the small feeder streams for both of the waterfalls you saw below. Although this section of the Indian Ladder Trail is not as impressive, it does offer pretty awesome views of the whole surrounding area.
More to Do at John Boyd Thacher State Park
Most of John Boyd Thacher State Park visitors are there for the sought-after Indian Ladder Trail, but there is much more to do at the park.
We absolutely loved visiting this State Park during the Fall to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage, but every season offers various activities and guided events. The park is especially popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
No matter which season you are visiting, you always have to check out the park’s Visitor Center. It has a variety of geological and historical exhibits which examine the Helderberg Escarpment and its importance and influence on the area.
Here is a quick list of the different amenities in the park throughout the seasons:
- Biking
- Campsites, Cabins & Lodging – Thompson’s Lake Campground
- Disc Golf
- Grills
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Interpretive Programs
- Nature Center
- Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
- Picnic Areas
- Playgrounds
- Playing Fields
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing (Snowshoe Rental available)
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Volleyball Courts
- Waterfalls
Top Tip: Looking for more adventures? Another cool feature of the park is the Wild Play adventure course which is open from May to October. The course features zip lines, tightropes, climbing up cargo nets, rope swings, swinging logs, and wobbly bridges plus a 40 ft jump. For more information visit Wild Play website.
Final Thoughts
The Indian Ladder Trail is one of the best, easy hikes in the Hudson Valley. It encompasses fascinating geological features, fun trail conditions, and beautiful views. All of that in a quick 1.0-mile walk. It honestly doesn’t get any better, this hike has it all.
If the trail itself hasn’t already excited you enough to give it a try for yourself, combine it with a trip to New York State capital city, Albany, which is a 30-minute drive away. The trip would be a great combination of nature and urban entertainment.
What is your highlight from the Indian Ladder Trail? Which other waterfall hikes can you recommend?
Let us know in the comments below!
Our Other Resources for Hiking in New York
- 13 Most Scenic Minnewaska State Park Trails
- Explore the Awosting Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park
- Hike to the Unforgettable Verkeerderkill Falls in Minnewaska State Park
- How to Hike the Dramatic Gertrudes Nose Trail
- Stony Kill Falls: Best Kept Secret in Minnewaska State Park
- How to Hike the Mysterious Cornish Estate Trail
- Beautiful Anthony’s Nose Hike: All You Need to Know
- How to See the Picturesque Indian Brook Falls
- How to Hike the Striking Indian Head Trail Adirondacks + Rainbow Falls NY
- 33 Most Beautiful Trails for Hiking in Hudson Valley
- 34 Top Rated Best Hikes Upstate New York
- The Ultimate Guide to 11 Best Cold Spring Hiking Trails
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