Buttermilk Falls
- Hike
- 1.4 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 1104 ft
- Road
- Gravel
- Dogs
- Allowed
Buttermilk Falls only runs after rain or snowmelt. Buttermilk Falls is a waterfall in Sussex County, New Jersey. Reaching it is a 1.4 mi hike each way with 1104 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
Mountain Road access is seasonal. Stay on the stairs and marked trail; wet rock is slippery. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Flow | Only after rain or snowmelt |
|---|---|
| Flow note | New Jersey's tallest cascade; can drip or rush depending on recent rain. Wooden staircase climbs beside the falls toward the Appalachian Trail. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Jumping | Prohibited |
Access
| Hike | 1.4 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 1104 ft |
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | Mountain Road is gravel; often closed Dec 15 to Apr 15 via Stokes Struble Road seasonal gate. |
| Parking | Small lot on Mountain Road opposite the falls base near Layton / Walpack. |
| Fee | No park entrance fee; Delaware Water Gap NRA has no entry fee (some amenity fees elsewhere). |
| Seasonal closure | Mountain Road to Buttermilk Falls via Stokes Struble Rd only; closed Dec 15-Apr 15 yearly when gated. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Buttermilk Falls open?
Mountain Road access is seasonal. Stay on the stairs and marked trail; wet rock is slippery. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Mountain Road to Buttermilk Falls via Stokes Struble Rd only; closed Dec 15-Apr 15 yearly when gated.
Can you swim at Buttermilk Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Buttermilk Falls.
How long is the hike to Buttermilk Falls?
It's a 1.4 mi hike each way with 1104 ft of elevation gain. The road in is gravel. Mountain Road is gravel; often closed Dec 15 to Apr 15 via Stokes Struble Road seasonal gate. Parking: Small lot on Mountain Road opposite the falls base near Layton / Walpack.
Is there a fee at Buttermilk Falls?
The fee is No park entrance fee; Delaware Water Gap NRA has no entry fee (some amenity fees elsewhere).
When is Buttermilk Falls flowing?
It only runs after rain or snowmelt, so it is often dry. New Jersey's tallest cascade; can drip or rush depending on recent rain. Wooden staircase climbs beside the falls toward the Appalachian Trail.
What are the rules at Buttermilk Falls?
Dogs are allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Buttermilk Falls is inside Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area .
Sources
5
- https://www.nps.gov/places/buttermilk-falls.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, access.roadSurface / seasonal access, waterfall.flowNote, waterfall.ephemeral, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed, hazardNote, access.seasonalClosure)
- https://www.njhiking.com/best-hikes-in-nj-buttermilk-falls/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking)
- https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/buttermilk-falls-trail.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi 1.4 one-way / elevationGainFt 1104, swimmerNotes.jumpingProhibited)
- https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/pets.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs)
More: New Jersey waterfalls