Buttermilk Falls
- Elevation gain
- 600 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Buttermilk Falls is a waterfall on Buttermilk Creek in Tompkins County, New York. Height and flow season are not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
Gorge Trail has many stone steps and is a difficult hike for some visitors. Swim only when lifeguarded beach is open and posted. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | Park namesake cascade on Buttermilk Creek; gorge tour route rises about 600 feet past pools and falls to 42-foot Pinnacle Rock. |
|---|
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Lifeguards | 2026: Fri-Mon and select weekdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. from July 3; subject to water quality and staffing |
Access
| Elevation gain | 600 ft |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd. (off NY Route 13 S), Ithaca. Gorge Trail climbs past pools and waterfalls toward Pinnacle Rock. |
| Parking | Main entrance (campground / gorge trails) and upper entrance day-use lots |
| Fee | Vehicle entry $10 (bus $35) collected daily April 1 through November 30, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Empire Pass accepted |
| Hours | Open year-round, dawn to dusk |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Swimming beach open seasonally (2026 posted schedule from July 3, likely closing mid-August); gorge trails currently open |
| Managed by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Buttermilk Falls State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Campground, natural pool, playground, and Larch Meadows nature trail in lower park |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Buttermilk Falls open?
Gorge Trail has many stone steps and is a difficult hike for some visitors. Swim only when lifeguarded beach is open and posted. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Swimming beach open seasonally (2026 posted schedule from July 3, likely closing mid-August); gorge trails currently open. Hours: Open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Can you swim at Buttermilk Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Buttermilk Falls. Lifeguards: 2026: Fri-Mon and select weekdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. from July 3; subject to water quality and staffing.
How do you get to Buttermilk Falls?
The road in is paved. 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd. (off NY Route 13 S), Ithaca. Gorge Trail climbs past pools and waterfalls toward Pinnacle Rock. Parking: Main entrance (campground / gorge trails) and upper entrance day-use lots.
Do you need a reservation for Buttermilk Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Buttermilk Falls?
The fee is Vehicle entry $10 (bus $35) collected daily April 1 through November 30, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Empire Pass accepted.
When is Buttermilk Falls flowing?
Park namesake cascade on Buttermilk Creek; gorge tour route rises about 600 feet past pools and falls to 42-foot Pinnacle Rock.
What facilities are at Buttermilk Falls?
Restrooms, showers, and picnic sites. Campground, natural pool, playground, and Larch Meadows nature trail in lower park.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Just outside: Buttermilk Falls State Park (under 0.1 mi) .
Sources
1
- https://parks.ny.gov/parks/151/details.aspx (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.roadNote / access.roadSurface / identity, access.permitRequired, waterfall.ephemeral / waterfall.flowNote, manager / access identity, kind classification, county / state placement, access.fee / access.hours / access.parking / access.seasonalClosure / rules.dogs / rules.camping / hazardNote / waterfall.flowMonths / waterfall.flowNote / waterbodyName / access.elevationGainFt / access.amenities / swimmerNotes.lifeguardSeason)
More: New York waterfalls