Ausable Chasm
Keeseville, NY
A sandstone gorge on the Ausable River with walkways and bridges that lead past rapids and waterfalls to the Rainbow Falls. Wear shoes with grip, as the rock paths stay wet; the site is easy to reach from Lake Champlain.
Ausable Chasm is a gorge about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and roughly 150 feet (46 m) deep, cut into Potsdam sandstone near Keeseville, New York. The rock is about 500 million years old and contains ripple marks as well as rare Cambrian jellyfish fossils. The gorge began forming some 10,000 years ago through headward erosion by Rainbow Falls, a 91-foot (28 m) waterfall; today further development has largely been halted by a dam upstream and the diversion of water.
Tourism began in 1873 with boat tours on the river. The site is now nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks." There are about 5 miles (8 km) of trails, plus paid activities such as climbing, rafting and a via ferrata. Two major floods destroyed the facilities in 1996, and they were rebuilt on higher ground. Allow a few hours for a visit.
- Nearest town
- Keeseville, NY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5290, -73.4690
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Ausable Chasm CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Ausable Chasm
- Ausable Point CampgroundCampsite4 mi from Ausable Chasm
- Apple Island ResortCampsite12 mi from Ausable ChasmCaravans
- Cumberland Bay State Park CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Ausable ChasmTentsCaravansElectricity
- Taylor Pond CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Ausable ChasmTentsDrinking waterToilets
- Wilmington Notch CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Ausable Chasm · 54 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Ausable Chasm?
Ausable Chasm is in Keeseville, NY, at GPS 44.5290, -73.4690. It is about 13 mi from Burlington.
Can you camp near Ausable Chasm?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Ausable Chasm Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 36 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Ausable Chasm?
Places worth a stop nearby: Church Street Marketplace (13 mi), Shelburne Museum (16 mi), Mount Philo State Park (21 mi) and Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (24 mi).
When is the best time to visit Ausable Chasm?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)