Kempty Falls Mussoorie: Timings, Location & Travel Tips

Kempty Falls is the most visited waterfall in Mussoorie, and also the most misunderstood.

Visit on a Tuesday morning in October, and it’s a lovely, easy stop: water tumbling down a rocky gorge, a cool spray, chai at a roadside stall. Visit at 1 PM on a summer Sunday, and you may spend longer in traffic on the Kempty road than you do at the falls.

The difference is timing and planning. This guide covers everything you need:

• where Kempty Falls is and how to reach it
• timings and what to expect on site
• the best season and the best time of day
• safety, especially in the monsoon
• nearby stops and how to fit Kempty into a Mussoorie itinerary

We run Mussoorie trips every week, so the tips come from what actually works on the ground, not from a template.

Quick Answer

Where is Kempty Falls? About 15 km from Mussoorie’s Mall Road, on the Mussoorie–Chakrata (Yamuna valley) road in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand.

Kempty Falls timings: generally open during daylight hours, roughly morning to early evening. Timings and facilities can change by season and weather, especially in the monsoon.

Drive time: 30–45 minutes from Mall Road; much longer on weekend afternoons.

Best time to visit:

• Season: May–June for cool water and summer fun; just after the monsoon (September–October) for the strongest flow with safer conditions.
• Time of day: before 10 AM, to beat traffic and crowds.

Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours including the walk down and back.

Tip: avoid weekend afternoons. Visit early, then continue to Landour or Lake Mist.

Kempty Falls at a Glance

Why It’s Called Kempty Falls

The most common local story is that the name comes from “camp tea.” In the British era, officers and families would hold tea parties and picnics near the falls. Over time, “camp tea” became “Kempty.”

The area was developed as a picnic spot in the colonial period, and it has stayed Mussoorie’s favourite day outing ever since.

Where Is Kempty Falls and How to Reach It

From Mussoorie Mall Road

Route: Mall Road → Library Chowk → Kempty Falls Road (Mussoorie–Chakrata road) → Lake Mist → Kempty Falls.

• Distance: about 15 km.
• Time: 30–45 minutes in normal traffic; 1–2 hours or more on busy weekend afternoons.
• Options: your own vehicle or tour cab, a local taxi from Library Chowk or Mall Road, or shared jeeps (less predictable timing).

The road winds down from Mussoorie, so Kempty sits noticeably lower and is a little warmer than the town.

From Dehradun

Route: Dehradun → Mussoorie → Kempty Falls.

• Distance: about 50 km.
• Time: about 2 hours, more on weekends.

Most travellers visit Kempty as part of a Mussoorie stay, not as a separate day trip from Dehradun.

From Delhi

Route: Delhi → Dehradun (via the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway) → Mussoorie → Kempty Falls.

The expressway has shortened the drive considerably. Visiting Kempty on the same day you arrive from Delhi is possible only if you leave very early. It’s usually better as a first-thing stop on day two.

Nearest railway station and airport

• Railway station: Dehradun, about 50 km.
• Airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 75–80 km.

Kempty Falls Timings and Charges

Timings:

• Kempty Falls is generally accessible during daylight, roughly from morning until early evening.
• Shops, changing rooms and facilities typically follow similar hours.
• After heavy rain, local authorities may restrict entry or bathing for safety. This happens most often in July and August.

Charges:

• There’s no major entry fee for the falls themselves.
• You’ll usually pay for parking, changing rooms, lockers and any optional rides or activities.
• If a ropeway is running down to the falls area, it’s charged separately.

Our advice: carry cash. Smaller vendors may not take cards, and mobile signal can be patchy in the gorge.

Timings, charges and facilities change by season. Our team confirms the current situation before your visit.

What to Expect at Kempty Falls

The viewpoint from the road

As you arrive, the main road gives you a view down into the gorge, with the falls dropping in stages over rocks. In the monsoon and just after it, the water is powerful and loud; in late winter it’s thinner.

The walk down

From the road and parking area, a path with steps leads down to the pool at the base of the falls. It takes about 10–15 minutes down and a bit longer coming back up. The steps can be wet and slippery, so wear shoes with grip.

The pool area

At the bottom:

• a pool where the water collects, where many visitors wade or bathe when allowed
• changing rooms and lockers
• small food stalls selling tea, Maggi, pakoras, corn and snacks
• shops selling souvenirs, plastic toys and slippers

What it’s really like

• On a quiet weekday: pleasant, cool, scenic and family-friendly.
• On a busy weekend: crowded, noisy and commercial, with queues for changing rooms and a packed pool.

If you’re expecting a remote wild waterfall, you’ll be disappointed. If you want an easy, fun family outing, it delivers.

Best Time to Visit Kempty Falls

By season

By time of day

• 8–10 AM: best. Little traffic, few people, easy parking and clean light for photos.
• 10 AM–1 PM: getting busy, especially on weekends.
• 1–5 PM on weekends: the worst. Traffic on the Kempty road can back up for kilometres.
• Late afternoon on weekdays: fine, but you’ll drive back towards Mussoorie around dusk.

Kempty Falls in the Monsoon: Safety First

The monsoon is when Kempty is most spectacular, and most dangerous.

• Flash floods: heavy rain upstream can raise the water level quickly. Leave the pool area immediately if the water turns muddy or rises.
• Restrictions: authorities sometimes stop bathing or close access after heavy rain. Follow their instructions.
• Slippery rocks and steps: most injuries here come from falls, not the water.
• Landslides: the Kempty road and the Dehradun–Mussoorie road can be hit by landslides in heavy rain. Keep your plans flexible.
• Never climb onto rocks near the main falls for selfies.

If you love the monsoon, see our Uttarakhand monsoon tour packages. We build them with buffer time and safe-route planning.

Crowds and Traffic: How to Beat Them

1. Go first thing in the morning. Leave Mussoorie by 8–8:30 AM.
2. Visit on a weekday if you can.
3. Avoid long weekends and summer holiday Sundays completely, unless you go very early.
4. Don’t plan Kempty last on your departure day. Getting stuck in traffic can make you miss a train or flight.
5. Use a driver who knows the route. Local drivers know when to leave and where to park.

Nearby Places to Combine with Kempty Falls

A smart half-day: Kempty Falls early → Lake Mist on the way back → Company Garden → lunch → Landour in the afternoon.

Food at Kempty Falls

Expect simple snacks, not restaurant meals:

• tea and coffee
• Maggi and instant noodles
• pakoras and bread omelettes
• roasted corn (bhutta)
• packaged snacks and cold drinks

For a proper meal, head back towards Mussoorie, or eat in Landour.

What to Carry to Kempty Falls

• a change of clothes and a small towel, if you plan to get in the water
• shoes or sandals with good grip
• a waterproof pouch for your phone
• cash for parking, changing rooms and snacks
• a light jacket outside summer; the water and spray feel cold
• sunscreen and a cap in May–June
• a plastic bag for wet clothes and your own litter

Pickup Points and Road Status

Pickup points we use for Mussoorie trips

For Delhi-based options, see our Uttarakhand tour packages from Delhi.

Road status (mid-October)

Last checked by the SnazzyTrips Garhwal team in mid-October. We reconfirm before every trip.

• Delhi–Dehradun (expressway): open.
• Dehradun–Mussoorie: open. Expect slow traffic on weekends near the town entry.
• Mussoorie–Kempty Falls road: open, with normal post-monsoon conditions. Weekend afternoons can be heavily congested.
• Water flow at Kempty: good post-monsoon flow in October, with conditions generally safer than in July and August.
• Coming up: Diwali weekend and the Christmas–New Year week are the busiest periods, so book hotels with parking early.

Three Itineraries with Kempty Falls

A. Mussoorie weekend with an early Kempty visit: 3 days from Delhi

• Day 1: Delhi pickup early → expressway → Mussoorie. Evening on Mall Road and Camel’s Back Road at sunset.
• Day 2: Leave at 8 AM for Kempty Falls. Lake Mist on the way back, Company Garden, then the afternoon in Landour (Char Dukan, Lal Tibba).
• Day 3: Gun Hill by morning ropeway, then back to Delhi.

B. Family trip: Kempty plus Dhanaulti, 4 days

• Day 1: Delhi → Mussoorie.
• Day 2: Kempty Falls early, with kids’ time in the pool (if allowed), then Company Garden and Gun Hill.
• Day 3: Dhanaulti’s eco parks and deodar forests, and the Surkanda Devi Temple climb for older kids.
• Day 4: Mussoorie → Delhi.

See the Mussoorie package with Dhanaulti and our wider Uttarakhand family holiday packages.

C. Couples: slow Mussoorie with a quiet Kempty morning, 3–4 days

• Day 1: Arrive Mussoorie and check into a Landour cottage.
• Day 2: Kempty at 8 AM on a weekday, then breakfast at a Landour café.
• Day 3: Cloud’s End forest walk, and Camel’s Back Road at sunset.
• Day 4: Departure.

The Mussoorie couple tour package is built around this slower pace.

Extend it: add Rishikesh for the Ganga Aarti and rafting, or Haridwar for Har Ki Pauri. Both are about 2 hours from Dehradun. For a wider circuit, explore our Garhwal tour packages.

SnazzyTrips Insights: What We’ve Learned About Kempty

SnazzyTrips is a Haldwani-based Uttarakhand DMC that has planned trips across the state since 2003. Kempty Falls is part of almost every Mussoorie itinerary we run, and a few lessons repeat every season.

Kempty is a morning place. The single biggest difference between a good and bad Kempty visit is the departure time. Our drivers leave Mussoorie by 8 AM for Kempty days. Travellers who start at noon often spend more time in traffic than at the falls.

Never schedule it on departure day. We’ve seen travellers miss Dehradun trains because a “quick” Kempty stop turned into a two-hour jam on the way back. We always put it on a middle day.

Lake Mist is the underrated stop. Most people rush past it. On the way back from Kempty, it’s a calm 20–30 minute break with boating, and a nice contrast to the crowds.

Monsoon flow is not the time to be brave. In July and August, we follow local advisories strictly. If bathing is stopped or the water looks muddy and fast, we keep travellers at the viewpoint.

Set expectations honestly. Kempty is a popular family picnic spot, not a hidden wild waterfall. When travellers know that going in, they enjoy it far more.

Learn more about how we plan Mussoorie trips as a local Mussoorie DMC.

Core Pages to Plan Your Trip

• Mussoorie core page: every Mussoorie route, duration and hotel option, including itineraries with Kempty Falls, is on our Mussoorie tour packages page. It’s the best place to start your Mussoorie trip.
• Munsiyari core page: after something quieter, with close-up Himalayan peaks and village walks instead of crowded waterfalls? Our Munsiyari tour packages page covers that very different side of Uttarakhand.

FAQs: Kempty Falls Mussoorie

Where is Kempty Falls located?
About 15 km from Mussoorie’s Mall Road, on the Mussoorie–Chakrata road in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand.

What are the Kempty Falls timings?
It’s generally accessible during daylight hours, roughly morning to early evening. Timings and access can change in the monsoon, so check locally or ask your operator.

Is there an entry fee for Kempty Falls?
There’s no major entry fee for the falls. Expect to pay for parking, changing rooms, lockers and any optional activities.

How far is Kempty Falls from Mussoorie?
About 15 km from Mall Road, 30–45 minutes by road in normal traffic. On weekend afternoons, it can take much longer.

How far is Kempty Falls from Dehradun?
About 50 km via Mussoorie, roughly 2 hours by road.

What is the best time to visit Kempty Falls?
May–June for a cool summer dip, and September–November for good water flow with safer conditions. Go before 10 AM to avoid crowds.

Can you bathe at Kempty Falls?
Yes, in the pool at the base, when allowed. Bathing may be restricted after heavy rain. Changing rooms are available.

Is Kempty Falls safe in the monsoon?
It can be risky. Water levels can rise suddenly and rocks are slippery. Follow local advisories and avoid the water if it looks muddy or fast.

How much time do I need at Kempty Falls?
About 1.5–2.5 hours, including the walk down and back up.

Is Kempty Falls good for kids?
Yes, with supervision. Keep children away from the rocks near the main falls, and visit early to avoid crowds.

What is near Kempty Falls?
Lake Mist on the way, Company Garden, Mall Road and Landour in Mussoorie, Yamuna Bridge further along the road, and Dhanaulti via Mussoorie.

Why is it called Kempty Falls?
The popular story is that the name comes from “camp tea,” after British-era tea parties and picnics held near the falls.

Is Kempty Falls worth visiting?
Yes, if you go early and treat it as a fun family outing. On crowded weekend afternoons, it can feel more like a traffic jam than a waterfall.

Plan Your Kempty Falls Visit

Kempty Falls is easy to enjoy and easy to get wrong. Go early, go on a weekday if you can, carry a change of clothes, and don’t leave it for your last day.

SnazzyTrips is a Haldwani-based Leading Uttarakhand DMC operating since 2003, with 150+ verified local partners across 50+ destinations, more than 20,000 families served, and a 4.6/5 average rating across verified traveller reviews.

Want a Mussoorie trip with Kempty timed right? Book a free trip consultation, and our Garhwal team will plan your days around real traffic and weather.