Parks / Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park · NJ
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.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (7)
Great Falls Festival Change in Tour Meet-up Location Sept. 3-Sept. 7
The 2PM tour on Sept. 3 and the 11AM and 2PM tours on Sept. 4-7 will meet at the Paterson Museum at 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07501. Parking available either in the museum's parking lot, or the lot directly across the street.
Street Closures and Alternative Parking Locations Sept. 3 - Sept. 7
Due to the Great Falls Festival, the parking lot at Overlook Park (72 McBride Ave. Extension) will be closed as well as the following streets: McBride Avenue Extension to the Mill Street/Van Houten intersection, Wayne Ave./Wayne Ave. Bridge, and Spruce Street to the Market Street intersection. Additional parking at the Paterson Museum and lot across the street from the museum.
Closure of Footbridges Thursday September 3, 2026
Due to a construction project, the two bridges leading to Mary Ellen Kramer Park (MEK) will be closed for the day. Use the Maple Street entrance near Hinchliffe Stadium to access MEK.
Great Falls Festival Weekend - Parking Lot to Re-open at Noon on Sept. 8
The parking lot at 72 McBride Avenue Extension will re-open at noon on September 8. Additional parking before noon can be found at the Paterson Museum on 2 Market Street. The parking lot across from the museum is not available.
Note About Using GPS for Directions
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501. Use this full address when searching using a GPS device or map app or use GPS coordinates N40.91533° W74.17992°
Overlook Park Lot Unavailable After Dark
The park parking lot at 72 McBride Extension is open from dawn to dusk every day. Any vehicles left in the parking lot after dusk (i.e. sunset) are subject to towing at owner's expense.
Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
Parking is extremely limited on weekends & event days. Overflow parking is available at the Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street. On weekends only, additional parking is available at the lot across from the Museum.
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Source: National Park Service.