Location

On Buttermilk Creek, a tributary of Cayuga Lake Inlet, in Tompkins County, New York.

Access

Buttermilk Falls State Park. This is the most accessible of the Ithaca waterfalls. It is only a few feet from Route 13, just south of the Ithaca city limits. Fees may apply during the summer.

Warning: Buttermilk Creek gorge is closed in the winter. This gorge is extremely dangerous in the winter and it is frequently patrolled. Don't enter the gorge, no matter how tempting it might be; substantial fines and even jail time may result.

Details

Buttermilk State Park is really three parks in one. The lower park features the main waterfall and fine swimming hole (shown here), and camping area. The gorge trail climbs 600 steps up a beautiful gorge with fantastic rock formations and smaller waterfalls. The upper park features picnic grounds wetland and woodland hiking trails, a lake, and more waterfalls.