Kempty Falls Travel Guide
A 40-metre tiered waterfall 15 km from Mussoorie — Uttarakhand's most visited waterfall, with a plunge pool for swimming.
- Altitude
- 1,364 m
- Best season
- Year round · Jul–Sep best flow
- From Dehradun
- ~77 km
- Category
- Nature
Why visit Kempty Falls
- Uttarakhand's most famous waterfall — a 40-metre tiered cascade with a plunge pool large enough for swimming
- Easy half-day excursion from Mussoorie, accessible to all ages with no trekking required
- Spectacular during monsoon (July–September) when the flow is at full force and the surrounding forest is deep green
- Colonial-era picnic history dating to the 1830s — one of the oldest developed tourist sites in Uttarakhand
Kempty Falls is a 40-metre tiered waterfall on the Mussoorie–Chakrata road, about 15 km from Mussoorie at 1,364 m. It is the most visited waterfall in Uttarakhand, drawing large crowds on weekends and holidays. The British officer John Mekinon developed the site as a picnic spot in the 1830s — the name "Kempty" is thought to derive from "camp-tea," a reference to colonial picnics held here. The falls cascade in multiple tiers over a wide basalt face into a shallow plunge pool large enough for swimming. A ropeway connects the upper road viewpoint to the pool area below.
The best flow is during and immediately after the monsoon (July–September), when the falls are thunderous and the surrounding forest is deep green. Outside monsoon the flow is lighter but the pool is calmer and safer for wading. Weekday visits are significantly less crowded than weekends. The lower pool area has changing rooms, small food stalls and souvenir shops. Parking is available at the top road and the ropeway brings visitors down in a few minutes. The site is manageable in 1–2 hours and is commonly combined with a Mussoorie day trip from Dehradun.
Explore around
Places near Kempty Falls
Main promenade and market of Mussoorie hill station
Quiet hill retreat with eco-park and Himalayan views
Scenic mountain bridge on the Chakrata road
What to do
Activities at Kempty Falls
Swimming
The plunge pool at the base is open for swimming — lockers and changing rooms available; water is cold year-round
Ropeway ride
Short ropeway descent from the upper road to the falls base — the best aerial view of the waterfall
Photography
Best shots from the ropeway cabin mid-descent; at the base the wide-angle view of all tiers is impressive in monsoon
Picnic
Grassy areas near the falls base are used for family picnics; food stalls sell snacks and local produce
Before you go
Kempty Falls travel tips
- Arrive on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds that turn the pool area into a crush — early morning is quietest
- Water levels drop significantly November through May — if visiting outside monsoon, temper expectations on flow volume
- The ropeway is the most enjoyable way down and back; the walking path is steep and slippery in wet weather
- Carry a change of clothes and a towel if planning to swim — the changing rooms are basic but functional
Getting there
How to reach Kempty Falls
Mussoorie → Kempty Falls (15 km on the Chakrata road). Shared jeeps and taxis available from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand. From Dehradun 77 km by taxi (2.5 hrs).
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (97 km from Kempty). Taxi to Dehradun or Mussoorie then onward.
Nearest railhead: Dehradun (77 km). Taxi or shared cab to Kempty Falls directly or via Mussoorie.
Where to stay in Kempty Falls
- Most visitors stay in Mussoorie (15 km) where there is a full range of hotels, from budget guesthouses to upmarket resorts.
- A few small hotels have opened near Kempty village itself for those wanting to avoid Mussoorie prices.
Food & dining
- The falls area has multiple snack stalls and small eateries selling tea, maggi, corn-on-the-cob and pakoras — classic hill-station snack food.
- Better restaurants are in Mussoorie; consider stopping at the Landour Bakehouse or the Mall Road restaurants on the way back.
Background
History of Kempty Falls
Kempty Falls was developed as a recreational site in the 1830s by John Mekinon, a British colonial officer stationed in Mussoorie. Mekinon organised tea parties on the flat rocks near the falls — the name "Kempty" is widely believed to be a phonetic corruption of "camp-tea." The site became a standard excursion for Mussoorie's British residents in the colonial era.
After independence the site passed to the local administration and was gradually commercialised. The ropeway was added in the latter half of the 20th century. Despite its crowds, Kempty Falls remains the most-visited natural attraction in the Mussoorie area and is the primary gateway waterfall experience for millions of visitors who come to the hill station each year.
Plan your trip
Suggested Kempty Falls itinerary
- Day 1 (half day)Drive Mussoorie to Kempty Falls (30–40 min). Ropeway to base (20 min queue likely on weekends). Swim or explore the falls area (1–1.5 hrs). Ropeway back up. Drive to Mussoorie or Dehradun.
Common questions
Kempty Falls FAQ
- Is swimming safe at Kempty Falls?
- The plunge pool is shallow (1–1.5 m deep) and generally safe for adults and older children who can swim. The current near the falls base can be strong in monsoon — stay in the calmer pool area away from the direct fall.
- What is the best time to visit Kempty Falls?
- July–September gives the most dramatic flow. October–November and March–May are good for crowd avoidance and comfortable weather. The falls are accessible year-round but flow is low from December to February.
- How long does a visit to Kempty Falls take?
- Allow 2–3 hours including ropeway, a swim and exploring the stalls. Factor in travel time from Mussoorie (30–40 min each way).
- Are there changing facilities at Kempty Falls?
- Yes — basic changing rooms and lockers are available at the base near the pool area, with a small fee for use.
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