Great Falls (Passaic River)

Paterson Great Falls
National Historical Park
The Great Falls of the Passaic River.
Location of the Great Falls of the Passaic River in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County in New Jersey.
Great Falls (Passaic River) (New Jersey)
Great Falls (Passaic River) (the United States)
LocationPaterson, New Jersey
Coordinates40°54′58″N 74°10′54″W / 40.91611°N 74.18167°W / 40.91611; -74.18167
Area36.30 acres (0.1469 km2)
WebsitePaterson Great Falls National Historical Park
NRHP reference No.70000391 (original)
86001507 (increase)
NJRHP No.2383
Significant dates
Added to NRHPApril 14, 1970
Boundary increaseAugust 14, 1986
Designated NHLDMay 11, 1976
Designated NHPNovember 7, 2011
Designated NJRHPMay 27, 1971

The Great Falls of the Passaic River is a prominent waterfall, 77 feet (23 m) high, on the Passaic River in the city of Paterson in Passaic County, New Jersey. One of the United States' largest waterfalls, it played a significant role in the early industrial development of New Jersey starting in the earliest days of the nation. The falls and surrounding area are protected as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, administered by the National Park Service. Congress authorized its establishment in 2009.

In 1967 it was designated a National Natural Landmark together with Garret Mountain Reservation. The falls and the surrounding neighborhood have also been designated as a National Historic Landmark District since 1976. The Great Falls' raceway and power systems were designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1977.