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Compass Brown

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Buttermilk Creek drops 600 feet as it plunges through a gorge at the southernmost edge of the City of Ithaca. Five trails in this State Park wander through a remarkable variety of landscapes.

The lower park has a campground, natural pool, playground, and playing fields, beyond which is Larch Meadows. Larch Meadows is a wetland area through which a nature trail winds.

The upper park has a small lake, hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge and rim, picnic areas and playing fields.

Additional information about Buttermilk Falls State Park, including details about parking, camping, pavilion reservations, and swimming can be found at the official New York State Parks website.

Alt=Two hikers walk on a rocky trail beside a gorge with layered stone walls, a stream below, and dense green trees overhead in sunlight.
0.68
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Bear Trail

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash), Bus Stop Nearby
A hiker walks on a rocky trail above a gorge with layered stone walls, small waterfalls, and pools, surrounded by green forest and sunlight.
1.3
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Finger Lakes Trail

Difficulty
Easy
Features
Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Hiker on a rocky trail above stone cliffs and a stream with waterfalls, surrounded by green forest.
0.65
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail

Difficulty
Difficult
Features
Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Bus Stop Nearby
Two hikers walk on a rocky trail next to a narrow gorge with layered cliffs, a flowing stream, and dense green trees.
1.2
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Lake Treman Trail

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Lakes visible, Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash), Accessible
Three hikers walk on a rocky forest trail beside a stream and stone cliffs in a green gorge.
1.0
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Larch Meadow Trail

Difficulty
Easy
Features
Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash), Bus Stop Nearby
Two hikers walk on a rocky path next to a tree-lined gorge with layered stone cliffs and a shallow stream below, lit by dappled sunlight through the leaves.
0.82
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Owl Creek Trail

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Bus Stop Nearby
Three people hike on a rocky trail beside a creek, surrounded by lush green trees and steep rock walls in a forested gorge.
0.82
Miles

Buttermilk Falls Rim Trail

Difficulty
Moderate
Features
Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash)

Current Trail Alerts

Roy H. Park Preserve

  • The north entrance to the Roy H. Park Preserve and the boardwalk will be closed to the public from Monday, July 7, through September 2025 as work is underway to install an ADA-accessible path. The south entrance will remain open during this time. Thank you for your patience.

Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area

  • The section of trail in Fall Creek Gorge west of the suspension bridge to Chi Psi is unstable and closed until further notice.

Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

  • A portion of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail between Stewart Avenue and College Avenue is closed for construction and will reopen in spring, 2026. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

Beebe Lake Natural Area

  • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.