WaterfallNear Me

Buttermilk Falls

Tompkins County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Tompkins County, New York
Access status
State park falls visible from the lower parking area; entry fee in season
The walk
Short walk from the lower parking area
Ground & access
Easy and level near the parking area and pool. The gorge trails are steep with many stone steps and are not accessible to wheelchairs.
NYS Parks: Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls, NY
Buttermilk Falls, NY
Photo creditPhoto: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buttermilk Falls is the 165-foot cascade at the lower end of Buttermilk Falls State Park, just south of Ithaca. Enter the park at the main entrance off NY 13 (Buttermilk Falls Road). The falls are visible from the lower parking area and rise above the swimming pool at their base. The Gorge Trail starts across the bridge near the main parking area and climbs past about nine more waterfalls; it is a separate, longer walk.

Plan your visit

Buttermilk Falls State Park main (lower) entrance off NY 13, short walk from the lower parking area to the base of Buttermilk Falls

NYFalls says the main falls is visible from the lower parking lot and suggests about 10 minutes for the falls and swimming area. No measured distance is given.

Easy and level near the parking area and pool. The gorge trails are steep with many stone steps and are not accessible to wheelchairs.

Where to start

Lower park parking off NY 13 at 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Road. NYFalls coordinates for the lower entrance: 42.41761, -76.52318.

Timing & water

State Parks says the park is open year-round, dawn to dusk. NYFalls says the trails close after November, but the main falls can still be seen from the lower parking area. Swimming depends on lifeguards and water quality.

Before you go

State Parks lists a vehicle entry fee of $10 per car, collected April 1 to November 30. The Empire Pass covers entry.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Tompkins County, New York.

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