Connecting history and recreation

100 years ago, Tupper Lake’s Bog River Falls bridge was completed. This bridge was originally built as part of Route 421 as a means of accessing American Legion Camp recovery infirmaries. A subsequent extension of the road in 1968, repairs coinciding with an overhaul of Route 421 in 1980, and maintenance repairs since, have all culminated in what we now see today at one of the area’s favorite swimming holes. Read along and learn about what makes this place meaningful to so many people.

Recreation & Natural Beauty

Where else have you seen a waterfall that flows directly into a lake? This place is unique. The two falls, combining for about a 30 foot drop, are initially separated by a scenic island before flowing out and under a large stone bridge. Before the bridge was built, this destination definitely saw traffic from those looking to take a dip, a break from rowing to their hunting camp, or just a breath of fresh air. The added scenery of the stone bridge makes it postcard perfect, and folks come from near and far for all sorts of activities by the bridge. From swimming and sunbathing to sightseeing and fishing, people enjoy this place many ways.

Stories & Family Memories

We asked folks from around the country for their memories and imagery of this Tupper Lake icon, and to say that seeing and reading everyone’s submissions was nostalgic and touching would be an understatement. All these stories are unique, yet tied together by a sense of place.

“So many memories sliding down the chute on river right above the pool as a kid… This summer, my twin daughters will experience sliding down the falls when we return to visit.” - Phil Fedor

“When I was young, perhaps 45 years ago, I watched otters playing [and] sliding down the falls.” - Bruce Rowan

“My family has been coming up there since my grandfather first went to Tupper Lake in the 30’s. I go camping at Horseshoe 2 time[s] a year. The falls hold a special place in my heart. It was one of my dad’s favorite places and we always would stop and just listen and watch the falls. He is gone now but I still go there whenever I’m in town and play his favorite song and just think of him.” - Valerie Ordway

“We renewed our wedding vows there.” - John Loganbuhl

“Lots of parties there playing frisbee and hackey sac for hours on the bridge…” - Erick Fleming

There were many stories shared of feeding the local wildlife. Harkening back to a time where this was an accepted practice, the memories are fun and exciting. Nowadays, we practice Leave No Trace principles by keeping a safe distance from all wildlife, like bears and squirrels, and ensuring that we aren’t feeding them.

Art & Inspiration

A favorite for the Tupper Lake Plein Air Festival, our favorite falls attracts artists of all mediums. There’s even some local lore that Norman Rockwell stopped here to paint the scene. Below are some pieces drawn and painted by artists from all around. In order of slideshow appearance: (1) Shoulder season painting by Darren Segool, (2) wood stain painting by Darren Segool, (3) Michael Burpoe painting, (4) plein air painting by Michael Burpoe (Instagram @burpski15), (5) painting by Linda Riordan, (6) pastel painting by Dawn Lockwood. Head over to Tupper Arts, where you just might catch a glimpse of Bog River Falls on one of their walls.

A Place Deeply Rooted

From early construction to historic imagery and postcards, documentation of the life this place has lived is extensive. For those like Helen Kentile, the memories go back to the origin of the bridge itself. With her great grandfather being a stonemason during the original build, this bridge is an important story to her lineage and family memories.

Personal memories are also part and parcel of why this place remains in people’s hearts. Erin Tooley told us that her grandparents took their engagement photos on the bridge, and Joanne Capolongo shared a photo of her and her family from 60 years ago at the bridge and falls. Joan Prop Potter shared a photo from about 1936 with us, showing her and Jesse Prop, her grandfather, standing on the bridge. 1936! If every local and visitor dug through their photo album for snapshots of this place, it would undoubtedly fill a few filing cabinets. Jean Paul Bergeron II told us about his grandmother owning the art gallery next to JJ Newberry’s in Tupper Lakes in the 1960s and 70s, and shared an image of himself sliding down the falls. Tupper Lake History provided some historic imagery and postcards, you should peruse the below slideshow to see these and the other historic images from Bog River Falls.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of Tupper Lake, check out the Tupper Lake History Museum!

Where is Bog River Falls?

Bog River Falls remains a living crossroads of nature, art, history, and memories. Tupper Lake invites you to bring your picnic blankets, your fishing rods, your sketchbooks, and your family for a visit to our favorite waterfall. Conveniently located near the center of Tupper Lake, you can take New York State Route 30 south to Route 421. Turn right onto Route 421 and travel for 0.75 miles. At this point, you will cross the falls via a bridge and will find a small parking area on your left. Grab some food from Tupper Lake, and plan on having the best time visiting the area, no matter the season! Of note, the bridge itself is a wonderful, handicap-accessible viewpoint.

Bonus vignette

Lorri Willett-Thatcher beautifully wrote to us about her history with the falls. Here is a snippet of her vignette, words that capture a story so special to her, and one that connects all those who visit the falls.

“Visiting the Bog as a teenager was a rite of passage. We went during the sunny summer days to traverse the small water ways. We would sit on the top of the flume on the rocks beneath the water’s surface, sometimes in tandem and launch ourselves with the strength of the current downward. I remember being terrified whenever I made the descent down the waterslide. My head dipping below the water and then popping back up as I groped for the large rock that had to be grasped at the bottom for fear of slipping with the current downstream. Urban legend has created talk that someone at some time in history has missed the rock and drowned in the current that rushes past.

After my mother’s funeral on a sunny, beautiful day in September, my dad, my three siblings, and the 8 grandchildren, ventured out to the Bog to honor my mother. We had brought with us red roses from a display of flowers on her casket. One by one, adults and children alike, dropped their flowery offerings to the river in her memory. Some released the flowers from the bridge above and raced to the other side to see them bob up out of the current and down river. Others went down the fall and let the flowers get carried away in the arms of the current. I’m sure we all murmured little prayers in tribute to our mother. Ironically, one of my nephews found a landlocked salmon caught in a small kettle hole at the base of the falls where it meets Tupper Lake. I like to think of that fish as a symbol of transformation and renewal and took it as a good omen for a smooth passing to the afterlife for my mother.”