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Buttermilk Falls State Park

Difficulty // Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 5.9 miles
Features // Lakes visible, Scenic vistas, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Restrooms available, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 2 hrs 22 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting allowed, use caution.
Surface types // Earth, Gravel / Stone Dust
Trail markers // white blaze, wayfinding signs, blue blaze

Buttermilk Creek drops 600 feet as it plunges through a gorge down the eastern slope of the Cayuga Valley at the southernmost edge of the City of Ithaca. Five trails in the park wander through a remarkable variety of landscapes.

Portions of this trail system are also included in the Finger Lakes Trail system.

White hiking boot on a brown circular background, symbolizing hiking or walking trails.
Hiking
White standard bicycle on a light blue circular background, denoting cycling or bike trails.
Biking
White electric bicycle with a lightning bolt above it on a green circular background, representing e-bike use.
e-Biking
White outline of a horseshoe centered on a gold circular background, symbolizing horseback riding.
Horse
White icon of a person running with motion lines on a dark blue circular background, symbolizing physical activity or trail use.
running
White icon of a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on a brown circular background, representing paddling or kayaking.
Paddling
White crossed skis and ski poles on a light blue circular background, indicating winter sports or skiing.
Skiing
White outline of two crisscrossed snowshoes on a green circular background, representing snowshoeing activity.
Snowshoe
Distance // 0 Miles
Difficulty // Easy

    Parking Locations

    Access to FLT through Treman or Sweedler Preserve
    Get Directions

    Lower Buttermilk Falls State Park
    Get Directions

    Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park
    Get Directions

    Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park Treman Lake
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Elmira @ Spencer [Note: Elmira @ Buttermilk not recommended - no traffic light to cross street] - Get Directions

      Turn right on Spencer, walk 1 block, then right at T intersection to old railbed, continue 500 ft, slight left on wooden bridge to enter parking lot.

    • Lower Buttermilk State Park (Summer only) - Get Directions

      Summer only: TCAT Route 22. Bus stop is at park entrance.

    Access to FLT through Treman or Sweedler Preserve
    Get Directions

    Lower Buttermilk Falls State Park
    Get Directions

    Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park
    Get Directions

    Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park Treman Lake
    Get Directions

    • Elmira @ Spencer [Note: Elmira @ Buttermilk not recommended - no traffic light to cross street] - Get Directions

      Turn right on Spencer, walk 1 block, then right at T intersection to old railbed, continue 500 ft, slight left on wooden bridge to enter parking lot.

    • Lower Buttermilk State Park (Summer only) - Get Directions

      Summer only: TCAT Route 22. Bus stop is at park entrance.

    Individual Trails Included in Buttermilk Falls State Park

    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)
    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
    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)
    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
    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)

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    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 will be closed until mid- to late-October 2025. 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.

    Black Diamond Trail

    • Starting September 2, 2025 park staff will be performing trail maintenance on the Black Diamond Trail between Perry City Road and Garrett Road. Sections of the trail will be intermittently closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Please use alternate routes during that time. The work is expected to last several weeks.