The Finger Lakes region in New York is known for its beautiful waterfall hikes and gorges. And Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca is one that can’t be missed!
The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail is a stunning hike featuring several waterfalls and cascades and is short enough to do in the morning or even as a late afternoon hike.
This guide below shares everything you need to know before you visit Buttermilk Falls State Park. So, let’s plan your next adventure!
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Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail: A Popular Trail in the Finger Lakes
There are several beautiful gorge trails in the Finger Lakes region. One of the most popular is the trail at Watkins Glen State Park. However, the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail is also beautiful and deserves more recognition. Though, it’s nice it’s not as popular, so it’s less crowded!
Things to Know Before You Hike at Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls State Park Entrance Fee
There is a vehicle entrance fee for Buttermilk Falls State Park of $9.
Don’t lose your receipt! If you want to do one of the other waterfall trails near Ithaca on the same day, you don’t have to pay the park entrance fee again if you present your receipt.
Parking at Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca
There are two entrances to Buttermilk Falls State Park.
The Upper Entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park is off W. King Road. This is also the entrance you would use if you’d like to start at the top of the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail or access the Bear and Lake Treman Trails.
The main entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park is the Lower Entrance, off Elmira Road (New York State Routes 13, 34, & 96). This is the entrance you’ll want to use to access the bottom of the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail and the natural pool at the bottom of the falls.
Good to know: Weekends and holidays during the summer can get very busy! Plan to arrive early to secure a parking spot.
Buttermilk Falls Trail Map
Paper maps are available at both entrances of Buttermilk Falls State Park. Visitors can also download the Parks Explorer App, which has park information like fees, hours, and trail maps. You can also download a PDF from the New York State Park website.
Seasonal Trail Closures
The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail is typically closed from November through April due to unsafe conditions. The NY State Park site will have the most up-to-date information.
Facilities at Buttermilk Falls State Park
Restrooms
There are running water restrooms near each parking lot in Buttermilk Falls State Park. The Lower Entrance restroom includes a bathhouse with showers for those who need to change for the natural swimming pool (open seasonally).
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables and grills are available near each parking lot at Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca. Keep in mind there are no trash cans at this park. Please carry in/carry out.
Preparing for the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail Hike
Items to Bring on Your Hike
- Shoes: For the Buttermilk Falls Gorge trail, you should wear supportive, comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Of course, bring water shoes if you want to swim in the natural pool.
- Clothing: The Buttermilk Falls Gorge trail is usually open from the end of May through November. During the summer months, you may need shorts and T-shirts. And if the natural pool is open, you’ll want a swimsuit! However, you’ll need pants and a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt during the fall months.
- Water Bottles: Obvious, but always good to have a reminder.
- Snacks: The Buttermilk Falls Gorge trail is short and shouldn’t take more than 1- 1.5 hours to complete. So, a few snacks should be sufficient.
- Bug Spray and Sunscreen: Visiting in early July, we didn’t encounter too many mosquitoes, but it’s always good to wear bug spray and sunscreen outdoors.
- Hand sanitizer / Hand Wipes: Good to have before eating or after using the bathroom.
- Bandages: Always have bandages or a small first aid kit when hiking. Scrapes and scratches often occur on the trail.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Places like Buttermilk Falls are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all.
Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels), and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come.
Hiking the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail
| Trail Location: | You can access the Buttermilk Falls Gorge trail at either the Lower or Upper Entrances of Buttermilk Falls State Park |
| Trail Length: | .75 miles, one way (1.5 miles out-and-back) |
| Trail Difficulty: | Moderate with several stairs |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 460 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Should You Start at the Top or the Bottom?
The first thing to note about the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail is that it is very steep at the bottom of the trail. The bottom third of the trail is nothing but stairs, and there are a lot of them.
We didn’t count how many there were, but there were enough to make us wonder what we got ourselves into!
However, once you get past those initial stairs, the trail is mainly flat, with occasional small sets of stairs along your route.
If the stairs are intimidating, you can start at the Upper Entrance and walk down the gorge trail until you reach the top of the giant staircase. At that point, you can turn around and backtrack to the top.
If you choose to avoid the stairs at the bottom, you’ll miss seeing the namesake waterfall, a 165-foot-tall cascade at the start of the trail. However, you can always drive your car to the Lower Entrance to see the cascade and natural swimming pool once you’ve finished your hike.
What To Expect Along the Trail
The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail has several waterfalls and cascades along the 3/4 mile trail. Hikers will encounter several staircases and flat stone paths.
The trail allows hikers to get close to the water. Although there are no huge waterfalls over the trail, it is a beautiful and peaceful walk.
Other Hiking Trails in Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls Rim Trail
The Buttermilk Falls Rim Trail is an excellent option for making a loop with the Gorge Trail (if you don’t want to backtrack). At the top of the gorge trail, you’ll make a left onto W. King Road to cross over the creek and immediately turn left onto the rim trail.
At 3/4 mile long, the rim trail is about the same length as the gorge trail. The trail is mainly packed earth and rocks. However, parts of the rim trail had been paved at one point.
About 2/10- mile from the Upper Entrance of the rim trail, hikers can take a side trail that leads to the creek. There is a bridge that crosses the creek to the gorge trail.
If you combine the gorge and rim trails, the hike will be about 1.5 miles long.
Bear Trail
The Bear Trail continues the gorge trail across W. King Road. This 3/4-mile trail is primarily flat, with some occasional inclines. It’s a wooded trail with packed dirt and stones and is relatively easy-moderate, depending on what kind of hikes you are used to.
This trail leads to the Lake Treman Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop trail. You can either do both routes, giving you an additional 3 miles to hike after completing the gorge trail. Or you can treat the Bear Trail as an out-and-back trail. It’s up to you!
Lake Treman Trail
As mentioned above, the Lake Treman Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail that connects to the Bear Trail. Hikers can also access the trail via the second parking lot in the Upper Entrance of Buttermilk Falls State Park. The loop is a relatively flat, wooded trail that encircles Lake Treman.
Other Things To Do Near Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca
There are many amazing hikes in the Finger Lakes region near Buttermilk Falls. We recommend trying some of the other beautiful waterfall hiking trails in Ithaca and nearby Watkins Glen.
Where to Stay Near Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca
Although Ithaca isn’t a large city, there are still plenty of hotel options for visitors, thanks to the two colleges in town; Cornell University and Ithaca College. Almost every chain has a hotel option available.
Several family-friendly hotels are less than one mile from the Lower Entrance of Buttermilk Falls State Park, including Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn & Suites, or Hampton Inn.
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