Reviews of Buttermilk Falls State Park. (Sports Complex) in New York (New York).

Buttermilk Falls State Park

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394 Comments

Sports Complex

State park

106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States

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Information of Buttermilk Falls State Park, Sports Complex in New York (New York)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

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Reviews of Buttermilk Falls State Park

Erin S

What a beautiful and well maintained park! $9 entry fee and they take credit cards and use a handy no-contact machine. Restrooms are within walking distance to the parking lot. We went after Labor Day so the swimming ‘hole’ isn’t open, but when you walk up to it there is a beautiful spot for taking pictures of the end of the waterfall. We only took the gorge trail so I can’t speak to other trails, but this one you definitely have to be ready to climb stairs-and a LOT of them. If you have young kids, def bring a back pack to carry them in. There are also spots where the trail is flat, but usually that’s where there is no fence so you have to ensure kids are on the inside of the trail as not much room and an easy slip and fall down the cliff. Nonetheless this was worth it and beautiful!! It kept getting better the higher we hiked. Gorge trail has 2 spots that you can easily wade/walk in to cool off. There are no restrooms on the trail. Be aware, especially if bringing kids who may not be able to hold it. Unlike Watkins Glen, all trails are dog friendly!!

Manda Semans

I have wonderful memories of coming here as a kid and some things have changed but not too much. The falls weren't as big as I remember them this time of year but still beautiful. The swimming areas closed due to no lifeguards. We went partway up the gorge trail - definitely coming back when we have more time to explore. Wonderful little kids play area as well! Pets allowed on a leash in most areas.

Esthefany Vidal

Beautiful waterfall. Yes you can swim but only on the lower part. Swimming start July 1 because on June they need to clean some part of the waterfall. The parking is 9 dollars. You can bring your dogs but are not allowed in the water. Also, there are a lot of stairs, be prepared to do legs when you go.

Crystal

Beautiful State Park in New York for hiking! The gorge trail was closed for our visit the first week of April as was most of the trail around the lake but what was open at that time was absolutely beautiful! We saw a couple amazing waterfalls and loved our visit here. Will definitely be back to catch the other trails once reopened from winter.

ethan Mayers

Wonderful state park with the Waterfall right at the entrance. Unfortunately, the drought turned the impressive water feature into a less impressive trickle. Easy, family friendly trails take you up next to the Waterfall. Great sitting area looking towards the falls. Beautiful area.

Alfredo Hernandez

Great hiking experience in Gorge trail. I recommend to get there early, before 9 am to beat the crowds. It was very peaceful and quiet. I left around 11:30 am and it was pretty busy, so maybe a different experience. Explore other trails as well, for example come back in the rim trail to get a different perspective. Highly recommended.

Nadiia Yamnitska

It is beautiful Park for hiking and walking. We were with kids ( 11y and 1,5y in hiking backpack). We did main trails with beautiful views. Trails are not so difficult, but better have a comfortable shoes. Spend there 4 hours including snack brakes.

A Oz

There's two ways to walk the trail. Lower parking or upper parking. Keep in mind, this is not a loop. If you descend 450 ft you will have to turn around and ascend 450 Ft elevation. Doable, but pace yourself. It's worth it! Beautiful sites at each step. The falls aren't as robust in the summer.

John F

Take the beautiful gorge trail from the main parking lot. It starts out steep but is worth it because it passes about 20 waterfalls, most of which are low except for the main one you can see at the parking lot. At the bottom of the falls are picnic tables, bathrooms, vending machines. Parking is just $9. Skip the rim trail as you can't see anything.

Stacy

Pleasantly surprised on how wonderful this park was. We were expecting one large waterfall and a quick stop. Ended up hiking up gorge trail and down rim trail…beautiful views and waterfalls

Rasheeda Eskak

Beautiful! Like a fairytale, though it was the dry season (and also a drought!) the waterfalls were lackluster but everything else made up for it! Loooots of stairs so be prepared for a leg workout! Well paved way, and beautiful sights and natural pools and waterways. Go when it’s sunny, rainbows appear :).

Keely Villamizar

We came all the way here from Manhattan. It was so worthy to go there for the weekend. I would tell you that the natural pool are smaller that you might think, so on you way up take advantage and jump in, if you go further into the trail there's no more natural pools to get in only at the beginning of the trail. I love my time in Ithaca, if you go there you would be able to see the stars glowing in the dark. As well how much pure nature is around you. Definitely be back to see it in a different season.

Rahul Sharma (TravellingWithColors)

Great trail way, but the water falls doesn’t have the water 😂 on 4th July weekend. The crowd was too much, swimming pool area was restricted on this weekend. But it’s really beautiful place for the family hangout. …

Rahul Panchal

Another amazing park with dollar 9 for car parking but totally worth with the view and trail. We were with kids so we did start with bottom first and took car up from where you can take gorge trail or bear trail. We did bear trail was almost 45 to 1 hour walk and while coming down we took gorge trail which gives you amazing view of all fall and rocks. If you have kids in hand you can try from top to bottom.

Jen

Beautiful walk up the side of the waterfall. Lots of steps so wear good shoes. If you start at the bottom and walk up it, you experience the falls in front as you go. The easier option is to start the loop trail at the parking lot and then go down the steps. You will just have to turn around as you go to view the falls.

Melissa S.

Beautiful falls that can be easily seen from your vehicle. The hike up from the falls is very steep and challenging in the beginning. I recommend starting your hike at the upper park and working your way down. I don't hike the bottom steep part if my knees are bothering me. Lots of smaller falls and GORGE-ous views on the hike. A wonder to behold in the fall!

Gio M

Difficult Gorge trail hike to the falls, but it was beautiful. Hike was about 3 miles total. The way up was difficult since it has to many stairs. Take you time, have plenty of water, snacks and enjoy, you would love it !!!

Emily Karsten

We have been here many times and today was the first time the Gorge Trail was open. It was beautiful! The walk is nice and the Gorge walls are stunning. The colors in the fall are beautiful.

Raiza Despaigne

This place is a great place to spend time with friends, pets and family The water is super clean. Excellent place to take pictures 📸 and enjoy the nature, hiking, walking or swimming. The waterfalls are beautiful and the people are friendly. …

Julie Stewart

I had no idea there was so much to this park when we arrived. I though one waterfall and that was it. After climbing the first very steep hill the trail continues back and you encounter waterfall after waterfall. I was happy went and hiked the whole trail.

Sumia Khan

10/10 recommend visiting! The falls is great and the hike isn’t too bad even though you’ll be going uphill. You are not allowed to get into the falls area although they do have a designated swimming area.

Ebel Glass

Amazing and breathtaking! For the Gorges you can park at the upper lot, and walk right to the gorge trail. For the swimming hole and no hiking you can park right at the bottom!! Not a super long hike, but the elevation is what kills people. Absolutely beautiful scenery all along, so highly recommend doing both. Our groups usual way now for the full hike is to park in the lower area, and hike upwards first. Make sure you keep going!! Then you get to relax and enjoy the beautiful Gorges and swimming holes. Afterwards walking down isn't so bad after being refreshed. But the main area to see imo is the Gorges and swimming holes. It says no swimming, but any given day you'll see tons of people swimming. From little kids to adults. Just be courteous and smart on when and where you go. Don't do anything stupid and you'll be all good!

Ed C

Great place, great location, great price. It's really well kept up and monitored. Hike at the falls was beautiful and pretty decent for an avid hiker. Had a great time!

Eduardo Moraes Damm

Such a beautiful and inspiring place. Didn't have much luck this year for the water levels were really lower than average. Regardless, I'll keep coming back every year cause it's so worth it!

mei brown

I was thinking about this water just what you can see from the parking lot. No! It’s much more than you can see from the bottom. At first. Stone steps are go very nice with the beautiful water fall. Keep going up. It gets better. Today’s October 3.22’ leaves are different shape of yellow. Some are getting Orange. Very beautiful. Weather 58.

Link Lo

Very accessible hike to see many wonderful waterfalls. We came in November and although it's cold, but it's not so cold that we couldn't enjoy the hike and the views. It's actually very nice to come when there were less visitors.

Leo Morma

Great location, loads of picture worthy views. Loads of waterfalls. I parked in the upper lot of the park and took the bear trail down and the gorge trail back. The bear trail was an easy walk down hill, the gorge trail was all uphill and there are steps that take you right alongside the water and waterfalls. If you park at the lower parking lot of the park, the main buttermilk falls are only steps away and do not require any "hiking".

Dhannie V

Steps, steps, steps, steps, steps and more steps. It's a beautifull park with a nice waterfall near the parking lot. Took the Gorge trail then looped back via Rim trail. Maybe it will be easier for one to take Rim trail first then take Gorge trail back to parking lot since Gorge trail is full of steps.

Juliann M

Went here in the summer and enjoyed the hike so much. Came back in the winter and the gorge trail was closed but got to see the beautiful water frozen. Definitely recommend this place for all seasons

Chris Parker

Lifeguards on duty and a fun swimming hole. The water on a July afternoon was 68. Gravel bottom and plenty of places to set up towels. Nice hike up the falls on the side.

John Forberger

Excellent park. The Gorge Trail is a must, yet it does have many steps up at the start from the lower main parking lot. There are picnic benches and chairs, but swimming is closed for the season. Recommend taking Gorge Trail up and returning on the Rim Trail (few overlooks but not many)

Sandra Jacobs

Extremely pretty park and picnic area right by the falls. There are plenty of trails of differing levels. Pets are welcome on leash. Just make sure you clean up after your pets to keep this a pet friendly location.

Julie Tatro

Grueling hike but the sights make it worth it. Tons of stairs to climb or can climb the hill way. Neither way is easy. So pretty if you can make it to the top

Marion NYC

Beautiful location! Only did the hike from the lower falls up and it’s a steep hike up. It’s all mostly stairs so it’s not wheelchair or stroller friendly hiking up. The bottom swimming hole wasn’t open so didn’t experience how it was to swim there. The hike has gorgeous views of the Gorges and the rock formations. This place is definitely highly recommended to visit! It’s amazing!

Bao Tran

Nice view, long trail. but the shape of fall is a bit flat. Big parking, also have a playing ground for kids. $10 parking.

Dan Wampler

Short hike with great scenery. The gorge trail is very vertical but steps are well placed for help.

Ani Daher

Beautiful fall and a great hike. There were a lot of stairs but it was worth it for the different views. There were also cool bridges and stones

Walter Graham

Like most people we found this place to be delightful. A moderately strenuous walk up steps on one side of the falls was eased by places to stop and rest and look at the falls from different places upstream. Well worth the visit and hike. Go up one side cross over, and then back down the other.

Jane Zhao

It’s a great beautiful park with all the waterfalls and stone bridges! You never imagine what in the park if you are not getting into the park! Every step and every turn will surprise you!

Melissa Gurney

Beautiful hike! Take the time to enjoy the views and beauty! There are picnic tables to eat and enjoy!

Shaun Hyde

Beautiful little falls with not a bad walk up a staircase to the top. Definitely want to go back in the summer to swim!

Tamiko Toland

The gorge trail is my favorite section of the local state parks because of the magical small falls and pools. However, I won't go during hot weather weekends/holidays because of the number of people who ignore signs and safety warnings and swim. They also tend to leave lots of trash, which is why I bring a garbage bag in the aftermath of these days. The trail around Treman lake is lovely and has charming features. It tends to be less busy and the lake attracts wildlife, so it's a prime spot for bird sightings and is wonderful in the fall. If I sound like a curmudgeon about people swimming, I'll point out there is a public swimming area at the bottom that is monitored for safety, including harmful algae blooms. People have died in the gorge and people getting stuck doing things they shouldn't is dangerous for themselves and the local first responders who extract them. Also, they often disrespect this incredible natural space with tremendous amounts of trash. I am so happy this is a popular park that attracts many visitors! It's a very special place that everybody should be able to enjoy in its natural beauty.

Ellen Cuffari

We started at the bottom of the falls and we're only able to climb half way up. Folks said a better option is to have the nonhiker drop you off on the top lot and walk downhill,. Your driver can meet you at the bottom.

Alan Ulicny

Absolutely stunning views. Worth the walk. Lots of paths to try, some easy, some not so much.

Kalai Yeung (Caca)

Trail not for older people and kids, the view is okey, I will prefer Watkins glen national park.

Michela Corsini

Beautiful trail: we followed the rym trail as the gorge is still closed (we could not find any info relative to its opening).

Roy Binderman

Excellent hiking (not for handicaps), views are beautiful, the pool was closed for swimming. It's a round path so you can start from any point. Must wear good shoes...

Roger Singleton

A beautiful place to visit. Not much water flowing when I was there but still beautiful hikes and small waterfalls. Camping was nice there.

Shan

Another beautiful Waterfall in ithcha. Great views but you have to climbs lot of stairs to get to the top. Not very hard though. Swimming was not allowed because of no life guards but there is nice picnic area with tables to relax next to the fall

Laura Spaulding-Sayers

This was the perfect spot. The falls were gorgeous and you could walk over them and swim in a small area at the bottom. It also wasn't crowded, which was nice.

Gina S

It rained hard the last 2 days so the gorge trail was closed but walking the Rim trail you could see the falls and the gorge in many places. The water was high, deep and crashing thru the gorge. Well maintained trail. Pretty state park.

Katie A

Just gorgeous! We started out on the Gorge Trail. There are multiple waterfalls along the trail with outlooks along the way. There are signs warning that there is no swimming but that didn’t stop the dozens of people we saw in the multiple swimming holes. The water is so inviting after the uphill hike (not super difficult and paved in parts) maybe they could not resist. The trail is pretty clean and well-maintained despite the fairly heavy traffic. We came back on the Rim Trail which is a nice little woods hike but not nearly as beautiful as the Gorge Trail. I would not recommend starting on the gorge trail as it is a pretty nonstop uphill climb without a lot of overlooks that are worth the effort, but it’s fairly easy to come back down on.

donald wilkinson

Walking up this Gorge is absolutely stunning with waterfall after waterfall... a must see if you're coming to the area. Plenty of parking and a $9 entry fee per car, but worth it.

Marta Almeida

Lovely spot, beautiful fall. Swimmable, if allowed on the day. Nice places to sit and stay for longer. Parking $9.

Julia Alexander

We happened to be passing through the area, and I had always wanted to visit the falls. We only had time for a short visit, but I'm looking forward to coming back with time to hike and enjoy the water!

Nicholas Klein

A fantastic state park with a stunning gorge to explore, gorgeous trails (lots of steps!), and beautiful waterfalls.

Robert Hendy

Ithaca is pretty amazing! We came over the Christmas break and it was beautiful. Gotta pay to park in the summer, but winter is free. Watch the icy paths.

Hassan Bhuiyan

Nice State park to hike, with so many small waterfalls along the way. You can get in the water too. Be ready to climb up the stairs. Make sure you make it to the top.

Mike Catanzaro

Very nice place to park and take a hike around the waterfall.

Pratik Gaitonde

A state park is situated in the finger lakes region with a beautiful waterfall to welcome you and with lots of trails and camping spots. The main waterfall was gushing as it was raining. There are some mains trails like George Trail, Rim Trail.. George Trail has a lot of stairs and the start to it from the State park office is pretty steep. We started ascending the George Trail and used the Rim trail for descending as there were not a lot of people doing this. You get a lots of picturesque spots during the trail. Note: When going here please put the State park office on the location because this is where the waterfall is as well as the parking. The parking ticket is for $9, but is accepted across all NY State parks on that day.

Julia Mor

Gorgeous waterfalls! Only spent a short time here unfortunately, but it was lovely. Too bad there was no swimming allowed today (high amounts of e-coli in the water), the water was very inviting. I went up the gorge trail with my toddler until the little overlook balcony, which took only 10 minutes. Would happily come back!

Elisha Amiri

Don't miss this amazing park! Great hikes all year round

Violet Rowe

Great place to visit no matter the season. Stairway to the heavens with a view of nature's splendor...

Alan Togliatti

Beautiful falls steps from the parking lot. Fun hike with around 500 steps to climb up if you go to the end.

Katie Lockhart

Beautiful falls. Easy to get to. Nice campground.

Exley Bookamer-Brown

We camped here for the long weekend in one of the new cabins! They were wonderful! It was so nice to have a real bed to cozy up in at night. I do wish the bathrooms were closer but still 5/5 stars. The campground is also nice and quiet during the day even if there are a lot of hikers out on the trails. I really appreciated that.

Melinda Guinn

Fun playground, great picnic area and some great local hiking convenient to Ithica and Cornell.

Eric Heenie

If you want to checkout some gorgeous waterfalls with minimal walking this is a great spot to bring the wife and kids. Hopefully we'll be back there next year for camping "if that's available"

Amber Neal

I unfortunately can't hike right now, but had a picnic and went swimming. The picnic area and playground are set in a nice shady spot. The falls were barely trickling, so the swim area was pretty shallow. I'm only 4'6.5" and it was at my neck. Unfortunately the only downside is that with this park being a carry-in carry-out, people left their trash all over the bathroom and some outside the bathroom. This left the women's bathroom nasty. I didn't hear anything from the guys that were in the group about the men's bathroom. I'm not taking any stars away from my rating because of the laziness and disrespect from the visitors trashing the bathroom and the little bit around the bathrooms. I will say that there were two lifeguards the whole time I was there. The lifeguards were also keeping an eye on the falls above and telling people to get back to the trail and to stay on the trail for safety.

Britt Snider

Buttermilk Falls State Park has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts. I parked in the lot at the Upper Entrance and hiked down through the gorge to the star of the show, Buttermilk Falls. However, this park's hidden beauty is in it's many minor falls and pools along the gorge trail. The clarity of the water and the cliff faces along the trails are breathtaking. As always, take lots of water and pace yourself on the way up the trail as it's steep (with plenty of stair steps) with lots of resting places and gorgeous views. If you're visiting for the first time, be prepared for the $9 parking fee. And don't forget to carry out any garbage you bring to the park. You can swim in the pool at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls when the lifeguard is on duty but it's prohibited in the smaller pools along the gorge trail. Lastly, there are campgrounds with tent sites as well as cabins that can normally be reserved up to 9 months in advance. And the park is pet friendly as long as you have proof of your pet's rabies vaccine.

Angelle Doherty

This park was stunning! The trails along the water were magical, the stairs definitely kicked my butt though! The views are well worth the hike!

Jay Ruderalis

Probably the most amazing park in all of Ithaca, speaking of the gorge trail. Which has very well built steps all the way up the gorge water falls. GIVE YOUR SELF AN HOUR AND TAKE THE WALK up and down. Or keep going through upper butter milk trails all day long. No one has ever been disappointed.

Jeff Till

Great place to pull over and spend the day lots of good hiking had a fun place to cook out.

Diana Bottari

Lots of stairs but beautiful. You can even swim/wade in the little nature made pools

carlaskis

Hiked up the Gorge Trail. Beautiful waterfalls and scenery. The fall foliage was absolutely beautiful! Many waterfalls along the trail. At the top of the trail we went over the roadside bridge to the Rim trail and took that back down to the lower parking lot. Beautiful foliage along this trail. Very easy and enjoyable hiking.

D

Buttermilk Falls is a great place to walk. You are so close to the falls, and if you really like adventures you can find some spots that are safe to take a little swim. Always stay safe. Enjoy the Summer.

Eddie Murria

Very very nice. The trail was pretty steep on one side(had a hundreds of steps). I took about 2 hours to enjoy and finish the trail. Hiking boots recommended bc it can get a bit slippery and muddy. Beautiful scenery and not crowded at all.

Katricia

I love this place. Every time I visit upstate NY I hike this fall. I start from the bottom which is more challenging than starting from the top. If you start at the top you can hike and not go all the way down to the bottom. You can drive to the bottom and just check out the lower falls with out having to hike.

Robert Smith

It is a Beautiful place. And easy to get to. This was my first time here. And my 74 year old father was with me. Bathrooms were clean as was the rest of the park. There where some dogs but on leashes. There are miles of trails to explore.

Emmy Cordero

Very beautiful landscape and environment to be in. Lovely cabins, well kept and cleaner than I expected. The only con is that we have to leave at 10 am from our campsite. That is way to early and should be pushed to 12. The waterfalls also seemed to be drying up. There is less water every time I come. That’s just sad.

Boris Zuniga

Another beautiful site to see while you visit Ithaca. You must be in shape to visit the top part of the park as the trails are stip and there are plenty of stairs. There is a nice playground near the bottom of the falls in case you bring your kids. I'll give a label 4 in difficult for this hike to the top. No strollers and definitely this bike is not for little kids.

Eddie Y

Highly recommend. I think it's better to take the Rim trail first to all the way up and go down by the Gorge trail by the waterfalls. It's breathtaking. When you get down just jump into the pond to cool down 😀 …

Marianne Adler

Steep climb in elevation, but absolutely beautiful views. A hike where the point is the views during the walk, not the destination. We did the Gorge trail up and back, skipped the Rim trail, then let our kids play in the creek at the base for a good hour+

Ida Li

Absolutely gorgeous. Hikes were great. Foliage beautiful.

Crystal kraemer

So large. Beautiful. Clean. I met some dogs there who were very friendly. A lot of walking and trails to discover. Good place to hike. The cash machine wasn’t working so I would make sure you bring a card to pay. Bring water too. And maybe train your body to be able to go up and down hills.

Phillip Hogan

The gorge trail is breathtaking (especially after walking all the stairs). The falls are beautiful, especially after a recent rain. The trails have lots of litter which is the only issue. Take your trash with you!

Pete Uthai

Beautiful and very interesting rock formation. Be warned, it is a stairmaster challenge from the lower park entrance to the top.

Cassie Povero

Amazing hike! Lots of walking space,plenty of parking available too! Gorgeous views the whole way up and down. Many different trails available too! More swimming areas would be amazing though.

Jon

Love the park. Stayed in a cabin for a few days and enjoyed the local hiking parks. Ithaca and surrounding area is incredibly beautiful. The Geological area in which Cornell university is built on is really scenic

Karen Biller

It was a beautiful day , trail was easy to moderate. Not much in the way of waterfalls, as we all are aware of the lack of rain. Still a nice time ,and relaxing hike !

Grace Landaw

Absolutely beautiful. Even with the gorge trail closed, the falls are very exciting from the rim trail. The path contains an ascent at the base of the falls, but overall it is a short and sweet walk in the woods.

stan stewart

Beautiful falls and forest with trails that are intermediate. Definitely check it out.

Julian Herrera

What a beautiful and colorful place. At the beginning my family and I were disappointed because swimming wasn't allowed on the lower falls, however retribution came quick when we began the hike to the higher falls and encounter so many beautiful swimming holes. The hike can be a bit strenuous but not extremely long. Will go back next summer.

Sarah Williams

NY state is full of beautiful waterfalls. This one was beautiful but not my most favorite. There are nice hiking trails and pools of water you can dip your feet in. The swimming area was closed when I was there due ro Ecoli. Great place to bring the family and spend the day hiking and enjoying nature.

Nambi Sridharan

Wonderful hike! A bit steep. Wear sensible shoes.

Debra Khoo

We only went to the bottom part of the falls and wasn’t able to hike up the top due to the weather. On that day an amber alert was placed for an upcoming squall so we only stayed a short while. Very beautiful none the less. We hope to return during the summer time.

Joanne Pyszczek

Absolutely gorgeous!! Starts off with a big beautiful waterfall and more falls as you work up the gorge. Definitely recommend it.

alex monsrud

Still beautiful without being able to hike the gorge.

Kim Rich

Wonderful way to spend your day. The falls are breathtaking. The trail is currently one way and the hike up is a bit tough, but doable for someone who exercises regularly. Just take your time..it is worth all the effort. You will be greeted with many cascading waterfalls. Plenty of places to chill and enjoy. Pack a lunch and stay a while. Coming down is all stairs. So if you have knee issues this could be a problem. I highly recommend visiting this park. Happy Trails!

Kim Dennill

Absolutely stunning! Great hike up the falls too, make sure to bring a good pair of hiking boots as some areas can be muddy!

Megan MacAnn

This was a beautiful park with so much to see and my pictures do not do it justice!! I was too busy looking around and enjoying the sites to take the proper pictures!! There is a parking lot that you can pay to park in but there are also free parking lots in the second entrance to the park. There are many trails and beautiful sites to see there!! I 100% recommend this park to anyone looking for a nice place to walk or hang out or picnic!!

Jennifer Alderdice

Absolutely stunning waterfalls! The mountain of stairs that are the trail next to the falls reveal more and more waterfall as you climb. Truely a huge waterfall with the bonus of swimming at the base.

Dakotah Eddy

Love this park. It’s a fairly moderate high: can be done fairly quickly and with multiple options for where to start and stop a hike and which trail to choose. It’s hilly, like Ithaca is want to be, so be prepared for an ascent at some point unless you enter at the base and picnic there with no hike.

White Knight

This was another spot that we wanted to visit on our amazing trip and was most definitely worth the stop. Absolutely beautiful and has some interesting history that you can use for your Geocach.

Jessica Casillo' Williams

Awesome place to see multiple waterfalls!!! Some of the trails have stairs. Be aware, you will be in shape after this! There is no swimming on the trail, but there is swimming at the beginning. Nice place to stop and hang out if you don't want to hike. I would call to make sure you can swim, it's always a gamble when we go. Lovely place for pictures! Many parks near by with waterfalls as well! Once you pay for one state park, you can get into any for the day! It's a good deal if you want to park jump!

Eric Allan

Beautiful gorge filled with cascades of water, impressive cliffs and stone, and great trails to view from multiple angles. Note during Covid, the gorge trail is one-way, starting at the top end and exiting at the lower parking area.

Matt Lamont

Overall, this was my favorite experience in the Ithaca area. It's a good hike and although the public swimming part was closed, we did find some swimming holes in the gorge. Just ignore the sign that says you will get a ticket and jump on in! P.S. watch out for snakes if you hike around the lake there.

Mike Kaiserian

Buttermilk falls is fantastic. Many different routes depending on your ability. Currently, the rim trail is one way up and the gorge trail is one way down. I'd recommend starting at the bottom off Elmira road and taking the rim trail. After about 3/4 of a mile is your first option for a turnaround by way of the bridge. The rest of the hike up to king road is quite easy though (you already did the hardest climbing!), so I'd recommend continuing then crossing the King Road bridge and taking the gorge trail back down. The loop all the way up to King Road is 2 miles. If you're looking for more than 2 miles, for a 6 mile loop you can continue up through the upper park, starting on the road and then moving off the road to the right when you spot the trail. Continue along the road up to Treman Lake and take that loop, then come back down and take the Bear Trail down to the gorge trail to finish up. At the top of Treman Lake is a stone bridge. For a quick as easy adventure, go up into the gorge above the bridge and see signs really nice rock formations and a little, neat waterfall.

T L

This place is fantastic! An absolute must see. The gorge has stunning rock formations and nice clean water. Don’t be afraid to jump right in. It says no swimming but they don’t seem to enforce it. So if someone breaks their neck they can’t sue. The rocks can be very slippery so be extra careful. If you’re worried about COVID then stay home. There is a designated swim spot at the bottom but it’s a little stagnant and cloudy there with a lot of kids. Nice picnic spot though. If you’re in the area don’t miss this natural wonder. To save some time and for an easier hike park in the upper lot and walk down the gorge trail. 8 bucks to park is a bargain for a great day.

Włodek T

If you want to get away from the crowded and constantly rushing NYC for a while - for example, spend a weekend in the wild - spend 4 hours and go to the city of Ithaca (Finger Lake Region) and hide there in Buttermilk Falls State Park ... and you will sweat on the ascents, but believe me - what you see at the top will compensate you for this effort ... You can even rent a small Cabbin (attention! without electricity !!!) and spend the night in State Park in amazing SILENCE ... !!! And if you want to go there, be sure to take road No. 17 ... You will feel as if you are going to the south of Europe and approaching the foothills of the Alps ... WONDERFUL ...! * Small tip: 1. At Buttermilk Falls St.P. drive to the parking lot in the vicinity of the park management and start hijking from there. 2. If you don't like to spend a lot of money on tool's, go back to NYC on Route 17 and continue on Route 6 - Bear Mountains Bridge direction - E-Zpass $ 1.35 only ( instead $18 at GWB + huge trafic ... ) and on the other side of Hudson River wonderful views , serpentines like in the mountains and completely free access to the city by Taconic Parkway ...

Missi Pollock

Beautiful location for some family time or a day with friends. The Gorge is gorgeous and the walk is nice and shady. Areas for picnicking and swimming.... however the swimming is not always open as it was not today. There are bathrooms at the base of the trail along with picnic tables and charcoal grills. Pets are allowed but please remember to clean up after them as some one allowed their dog to go in the middle if the trail today and left it.

Brian Hankins

We visited buttermilk in October and it was gorgeous with all the color changes. This hike had quite a bit of stairs but a also a lot of amazing spots to stop and take pictures along the way. Definitely will be coming back if I'm ever in the area!

Tyler Jordan

This place is amazing because only so many people do the hike to the top to get back down to enjoy the hidden gems such as the small natural swimming pools. There are areas to cliff jump which is probably not recommended and I would highly recommend knowing your depth before jumping into them. The water is extremely refreshing during the hot summer times and it’s extremely beautiful in general. You would never guess you were in New York of all places. Truly a gorgeous place to hike, swim and enjoy nature at its finest. The hike is strenuous for the average person and I recommend a good pair of footwear with excellent traction. Bring plenty of fluids and take breaks when you need to. The hike all around the falls took me roughly 2 hours and that included stopping at most of the swimming holes to jump in and swim around.

Mary Elizabeth Mari

Due to recent drought conditions the day we went the falls were a little dry but it was still beautiful. There were a lot of trails to follow and different difficulty levels for hiking. A great way to spend a morning and work up an appetite for breakfast.

Noganay Poganay

It’s a short hike but very pretty . So take a hike , enjoy and watch your step . Someone fell walking in the falls , and emergency came so half of trail was closed for approximately an hour , which was very inconvenient. So we waited . Other than that , I recommend. Kids and family friendly. Will come back in hot summer again since swimming was closed .

Christopher Nazelrod

Love the gorges and waterfalls along this hike. It is currently one way, but it is still an enjoyable hike. Camped here for 3 nights as well; it was an awesome experience, and will return.

Tracy Vance

Buttermilk Falls is a beautiful hike. There are many smaller waterfalls to be seen on the trail. The hike in is all uphill, but worth it. Thank you Governor Cuomo for keeping the state parks open.

J G

One of the best hiking spots and places to swim with waterfalls ever!! This place was so much fun i enjoyed cliff jumping into the water and swimming under waterfalls. It has an open swimming area at the front and several picnic tables. It cost 8 dollars to enter all the parks in the area and well worth it because theres so much to see at all the parks. We love Ithaca!!!

Scott Barilli

Great place. Well kept. Easy hike

Hope Divine

Beautiful waterfall! Easy yet breathtaking hike. You can take the stairs right next to the waterfalls. benches near the falls, great for picture taking. Picnic tables and BBQ grills... Bathrooms are clean too.

Corey

A fantastic park. If you are in the Ithaca area and looking for some fun this is a great stop. Short hikes pack in tons of views. Sitting areas provide locations to eat lunch and a fantastic swimming area. Come walk the Glen (only a half mile) see the pools climb the stairs and enjoy the area. When you are done go by to the swim area and cool off then head into Ithaca for a drink.

Jessica

Absolutely fantastic hike up the gorge trail. We hiked all the way to the top and we're not disappointed by the mesmerizing waterfalls along the way. What spectacular views. If you have the chance to go all the way up to the west king Rd point it's fantastic. It's a bit of a tough hike at times but so rewarding.

Moe Barlow

I love coming here with the family! Buttermilk Falls is perfect for kids and whole family. Canyons are breathtaking I must say. A must see on the outdoor bucket list.

Wilson Safari

Absolutely breathtaking views. We enjoyed the little climb of the trail and follow the way down. The fall color painted the falls is astonishing!

Heather Horn

Such a beautiful location! There is a nice area to enjoy the falls that's easily accessible, including picnic tables in the shade. There are restrooms and there's a water fountain. It's carry in, carry out, so plan to bring your trash out with you! The trail by the falls goes up a long set of stairs, but you can certainly enjoy the falls without doing the trail.

Edwin Suarez

I highly recommend this place. Beautiful waterfalls Great for hiking and exercise we stay for three days on a tent and it was only $76. We definitely have to come back next year!!

noname

Beautiful park. Dog friendly (leashes must be 6 ft or less, must have documentation of rabies vaccination; tags aren't enough). Bit of hike up the trail, so I wouldn't take an older pet up trail.

Ashley Mann

The parking situation can be difficult, and the bathrooms are horrendous. What the infrastructure of the park lacks the water more than makes up for. Not all trails are open all the time, especially the gorge trail. In the summer that water goes down and there's a nice area you can play in the water a bit. Park above it and walk downstream if you don't want to do the whole intense walk. Early spring the water levels are too high to get close.

Jason Casher

Absolutely wonderful! My family and I visit here several times a year. We hike the trails and stop to take in the scenery. Never gets old! Always beautiful!

Scott Smith

A nice hike and enjoyed all the scenery. Pinnacle Rock was great to see along with the falls.

phani kuncharapu

It's a nice scenic trail, with lot of steps, there are a lot of pitstops for covering various waterfalls which are really scenic. The trial back is really simple with no steps, but a little slopy and muddy. Overall it's very scenic and beautiful.

Eli Marsh

This is a must-do hike! It was not that crowded but yet definitely worth every step. I wish I were a native resident 200 years ago so I could explore the dangerous slippery rocks by myself. There are a few places with very deep pools which I would have loved to dive into. The kids loved the views. We hiked The Gorge path on the way up, and took the rim path on the way now. The rim path is much faster and far less steep than going back down the Gorge. I carried our one year old on my back so traversing Down The Gorge path would have been tricky.

Benjamin Shores

Despite the rainy conditions, we had a wonderful hike exploring the falls and surrounding forest. The path was well marked and the woods were calm and quiet.

rafi siddiq

The trip is definitely worth the drive. The park has some great views and the trail wasn't too difficult, only part that was challenging was climbing up the stairs to get to the top of the waterfall. Overall the trip is worth while and good place to check out

Estrella Pujols

Great hike with lovely scenery. I would def hike this park everyday if I lived here. Would def recommend! Note: parking is $8 for the entire day. The hike doesn’t take more than an 1.5 hr (depending on your physical state). I was able to use the same parking ticket at Tremen that day.

Ashley Terry

A beautiful hike, easy for anyone. There are great views. Pretty busy but not too crowded.

Leah Stevens

This is one of my favorite day hikes. The rock formations were gorgeous, you just have to experience this place to understand. It's amazing to think how long and how beautiful time has shaped this place.

Tiffany Loving

Beautiful place for family fun!!! Was here for my sister's kickball games but unfortunately there was an injury in the gorge and a helicopter had to be landed in the middle of the fields to help. However, we were still able to go swimming and let kids play on the playground so all in all not bad...was actually a really fun day!

Joe Freda

WOW! What a beautiful park! Hiked the Gorge trail along side a beautiful rolling, natural waterside... Beautiful views the entire hike. Be ready to work though and there are a few steep sections

Katelin Lugo

Beautiful trail with gorgeous scenery! The trail is rated "moderate" and is steep and long, and was worth the hike to see the falls! There are many picnic tables available at the entrance to the park to relax and eat. Dog friendly and definitely worth exploring!

Cherise Haase

Just as amazing as ever! The water wasn’t as great as it usually is in the spring time, but it was still lovely. And fall is such a spectacular time to visit Ithaca!

John MacKenzie

Very nice park with a few walking trails, swimming areas and a playground for kids.

Jon

Finally made it to Buttermilk Falls SP after not being able to come here the last time I was in Ithaca. Did the short Gorge - Rim Trail loop. Make sure to have non-skid soles shoes since parts of Gorge trail is wet. Great views of the gorge and the falls. Parking is $9 per vehicle and if you are paying cash, make sure you have the exact amount.

Vanissa -a realtor

Ithaca, NY is a beautiful part of NY. The waterfalls that surround this little town are unlike any other.

Ywh Krgb

Beautiful falls! I started off with the Gorge trail and made it across a bridge and ended at the Rim trail to make it to the parking lot. That was a lot of walking... All the steps going up and then walking in the woods back down, though it was beautiful, it was painful on the knees

Amit Gupta

Looks like white butter milk. Beautiful and mesmerising. You can go all the way near fall. If weather is good then kids can play around.

Matthew Jurkiewicz

What a cool place to spend a few hours! The rim trail is a moderately-steep, wooded walk uphill to a series of small falls and pools. The gorge trail (downward) is a steeper series of rock staircases. Plenty of people were swimming in the pools and jumping off the rocks near the falls when I was there - which was NOT a busy day. I imagine it can get VERY crowded, but on a day with low crowds, it can be very fun and very relaxing. Plan to spend 2-2.5 hours hiking the trail and splashing around in the falls.

Martha Winchell

I loved it very beautiful place to go visit. Lots to see you can spend the day there and enjoy yourself

Wingin' It

Took a drive here, just to get out of the house and enjoy this beautiful weather.....fun day! Beautiful waterfall and close parking near children's playground, plenty of area for our fur babies to run around....on leashes of course!

Jessica Crogan

So first off if your traveling using navigation; put in buttermilk falls Park office, this will bring you to the location closest to the swim area and the larger falls. The Rim trail is also amazing but be prepared for a decent hike this is not just a walk in the woods lol. The swim area is 8ft deep and open when there is a lifeguard on duty. I was a little surprised at the overall depth but there are some stairs to ease your way in. Lots of tables and a larger picnic area up by the lake. The only drawback for me is dogs not being allowed in some places mainly near the falls picnic area

Adam Bergstresser

Great park! Was pretty busy but what else are you going to do in a pandemic? Got take out from old Mexico less than a mile up the road. Also, very good!

Daniel Colucci

So, if you've never been there before (much like me) the parking lot is small and mostly gravel. The trails start to the left of the entrance building (once you've parked and now are looking at the building) the trail I took was steep, but once you get past that it becomes fairly easy. I went early on a Tuesday and only a few people were there. It's a really beautiful and serene place.

diane clowers

Beautiful falls. Would be perfect when you could swim. Easily accessible for the physically challenged.

James Cruz

Great place for family and fun. Beautiful sights and sounds as the water rolls down the stones of the falls. Scenic levels as you walk up along the side of the falls to the top where you can look down and appreciate what nature has created here. Picnic grounds play grounds and all around great time to be had by young and old.

Natalie Glenn

Great park. They have a small swimming area. The falls are gorgeous!! You can hike up to see more of the falls which I would highly recommend.

Priyank Shah

This place is a must visit on your trip to the Finger Lakes. The Gorge trail is awesome with multiple waterfalls and spectacular canyon views. The trail is a steep climb though, good workout. Many places on the way to take a dunk in one of the natural pools, though folks found out that it is not legal to do so once the ranger showed up. :)

Avijit Dey

It’s good place for enjoy . Little bit Trail not very High . Once you enter the park by car you can see the falls . Entry fee $9 but that can be used other park as well . Swim and bath prohibitive but many people take shower . Restroom little bit need to clean .

Saurabh Vinchu

This place is located in the beautiful city of Ithaca. The falls are not that big but they are really beautiful and calming. You can go for trails here. I'm not sure if camping here is a thing.

Charlie Murrow

Best waterfall hike I've been on, worth every step!

shukri Blue

Absolutely beautiful place to visit with friends or family. There are lots of places to eat nearby if you're not having a picnic. The trails are fairly easy even for first timers. There is a like Lake Treman, I believe, that feeds little streams and small water falls that you can see along the trails.

Bob Miller

Beautiful area, great hiking opportunities, Walmart is 10 min away, I only gave it 4 stars because the new rustic cabins are nice but close together and the neighbors tend to be loud

Goran NYC Photographer

Lovely place to visit and enjoying beautiful nature and nice hiking 🥾 …

Philip Boswell

Great place to hike. Very scenic. Some stairs on part of the trail.

Elyse Montalvo

Its a pretty park. Seems like this place is great to spend the day hiking or if you tent camp this is a sweet place. There are sites that will accommodate travel trailers under 20ft. That's what we used for our stay here. We came with teenagers and they're not digging it but the young children that are camping here seem to be having a ball. We are also here during a period of social distancing therefore, swimming isn't allowed. We were told There's a place for swimming up the road but the young ladies at the entrance were pretty vague on how to get there lol.

Sanatana Infiniti

Good close view a fall from many similar falls around Ithaca and Tompkins county. Short hike beside the fall and the river as well. Good spot for picnic, hike and just be merry.

Kenneth Croft

Beautiful Falls just south of Ithaca. The hike on a cool, sunny morning was gorgeous.

Rick T

This place is wonderful. The walk was gorgeous and much less crowded than some of the more common parks like Watkins Glen. The swimming hole was pretty cold for a little kid, but still a good time. The park rangers and staff were friendly and helpful.

Rico Vitale

Very nice place for a picnic 🧺 Wish there were trails that aren't so steep. Bad knees …

Eric Mohammed

Awesome sights and a workout if that's what you're looking for. Do the gorge trail up with steps and cool off as you go on the numerous falls and cravats then dry off as you descend on the wooded rim trail

Lori Pinkerton

Beautiful falls; midway on the gorge trail is an overlook that provides a lovely view of a Home Depot. (Seriously?! What planning commission lets that happen?) Also, too peoplely.

Steve Chapman

Beautiful falls to see, multiple trails to hike. Most trails are a regular trail, one seemed like an endless number of stairs. Multiple places along the trail that go down to some water and different water fall spots.

wing liu

The falls are really easy to get to and are extremely beautiful! The only reason for 4 and not 5 stars is the trickle of water coming down the falls. A function of the season I am sure...

Irsan S

Came here beautiful waterfalls in Ithaca and close from our hotel. Trail is open and One way only.

Adira Benner-Cuasay

Lovely park nearby and the sound of waterfalls was beautiful. It's a lovely place.

Sandra Schwan

Beautiful. The gorge trail is beautiful but now due to covid the park wants people to climb up the Rim trail and go down the gorge trail. The Rim trail is VERY steep, through the woods, and not easy to hike. I recommend doing what most others did....sneak up the gorge side. We went up the Rim trail and it was exhausting....never again. Also, when we went we were not allowed to swim. Check the government web page before you go to see if swimming is open now. FYI there are multiple scenic spots the higher up the gorge trail you go. Beautiful.

Kaitlyn Zaloga

Very neat place. Unfortunately swimming at bottom of falls was not open when we were there. steep incline up but well worth it.

MARIA ENCARNACION

Wonderful place, hiking trails are clean and safe, beautiful scenery. Great for all ages.

Melissa Fraley

Very beautiful area with a very strong waterfall that makes for a gorgeous park visit. There were not lifeguards on duty the day we went so no swimming but looks like it would be a great place to take kids on a hot day.

Sabrina G

The Gorge Trail was challenging as always (a lot of stairs) but worth the effort to see all the waterfalls. It was a weekend and packed with people, so not MY favorite time. But I'll go back on a weekday morning and soak it all in ❤️

Shri Ramakrishnan

Pretty place, good hike. It's easy to cover all the trails in a loop for a good 6 mile hike! And the gorge is so pretty.

M W

Falls are beautiful. Only Primitive camping. The camping spots are very tight together, there are a lot of camping cabins uf interested

Rossanne K

Nice park with many little falls. Too bad the main waterfall was pretty dried up when we went. Still a nice experience though on the trails.

Jonathan Adams

Steep climb - but great views of falls the entire way. Hint — take the stairs (clockwise) route to see the most falls.

Jennifer Brown

Just smell and enjoy the fresh air. Take your shoes off, tickle your toes with nature. Enjoy this forever magical park.

Kathryn Manno

Definitely a must see when coming to the area. Just when you think you've seen it all there's more and more waterfalls

Christopher Konopka

Beautiful! Even with the little bit of water trickling down. This is a must see and easy to get to. Also a campground that looks pretty cool.

Brianna Petracca

one of my favorite hiking spots. very scenic and trails are very well maintained but be warned there's a ton of stairs on the gorge trail.

Kimberly Sadat

Beautiful falls. Lots of trails to take around. If it rains it gets pretty messy. You can still easily see the falls, but taking the trail up is quite messy.

chris jones

Amazing views great hiking trails

Mark Napartovich

Unusual looking beautiful chain of waterfalls with long week maintained trail around.

Elnaz E

This park has beautiful trails, amazing walk along the river and small waterfalls

Nehal

Hiking is good Gorge trail is steep steps, rim trail is steep walking. Either way it's steep. But very little water, it was trickle of water in middle of summer, if you want more water one 0f the park ranger said fall is good time to visit. so visit in fall.

Lauren Leiggi

Short, steep, somewhat slippery trail. Really gorgeous hike, trail marks up higher in trees but the map was easy to follow the now one way path for covid. Most folks followed the signs and plenty wearing masks- got a little crowded when we were leaving after lunch. Plenty photo spots on the way down. Would go probably earlier / near sun set to avoid crowding. $8 to park and they accept cards.

Brendan O'Brien

Beautiful park and waterfalls. Can hike all the main trails in under six miles, although there are some very steep portions.

Paul LaPasota

Enjoyed the hike and the park but unfortunately the waterfalls are a little light of water

Ryan Collins

Amazing park! Great walking trails as well as scenery. Plenty to do picnic areas, designated swimming holes and a few others if you can find them! We started with the Rim trail and the views are great. Keep following up and around the lake trail to finish with the gorge trail. Great ending for a great hike! Jumping into the water after a long hard hike is well deserved!

Ellie S.

Beautiful trails. Nothing negative can be said about the park; the staff have safety protocols in place including but not limited to one-way hiking paths. However, the other visitors occasionally neglect to follow the paths' directions or to wear a mask.

Thomas Williams

Excellent hike a little steep with the stairs but beautiful falls and views. Swimming area is small but refreshing and can be a little chilly.

Daniel Finelli

Great place for a nice hike when starting at the bottom expect a lot of stairs but it does flatten out to a nice enjoyable walk

Cristina Estrada

first time and it was awesome!!!beautiful views, fresh air just a wonderful place to enjoy with the family 👪😀❤😊 …

Jones2Journey Betty (Jones2Journey)

Beautiful park with a wonderful view. The hikes available are lovely but could be quite strenuous for some.

Carol Czimback

The upper gorge is less known. I'm embarrassed to say ,its the one gorge I have not hiked any part of. I lived in this are all my life. 59yrs

W A

Great hiking area. Very beautiful. Short trails so you can get through all of it in a couple hours.

Daniel Lovell

Lovely view, but a very small park. Apparently understaffed, as they shut the swimming down unexpectedly at 1:15 to move the staff elsewhere. We drove an hour to get there, so it was quite a bummer.

Kelk70

Walked Gorge trail which was Beautiful but a lot of steps! Be prepared! Continued on to Outer Rim trail which was a nice hike.

Matt Champlin

Beautiful glen right outside of Ithaca. Most people go check out the main waterfall with the swimming hole and never go any further - but if you're into some strenuous exercise with good rewards at the end then climb those stairs up into the gorge to check out the beautiful cascades throughout the entire park. The walk ends at the top at beautiful Lake Treman and you can come back down the same way or take the rim trail back to the lower parking lot.

Julie Nappi

Lovely trail, lots of steps, beautiful falls and blue hued pools swirling through the gorge.

Gil Rocco

We hiked the trails at some other nearby State Parks, then ended each day here relaxing near the falls. The falls empty into a refreshing manmade lake with swimming, a high diving board and a lifeguard. This is a good park for camping or renting a cabin.

Sheryl Konopack

We camp a LOT, and the new cabins here are unique, clean, and almost like glamping! We absolutely loved our experience. The campground is small, roads are paved, bathrooms are functional and that is where the strongest COVID signage exists, reminding people to wear masks. As for the park, be careful. The rim trail is steep, and one way up right now. The gorge trail is crowded with illegal swimmers, and one way down. Continue past this to the Bear Trail, and then also go around Treman Lake that is a gorgeous trail. The falls are now open for swimming, and ridiculously crowded with people, despite park efforts to only allow so many parking cars inside. The falls are nowhere near as full as they were 20 years ago... but still breathtaking.

Gwen Greenberg

Very safe and convenient. One of the more beautiful state parks in New York

Danielle

It is a beautiful place to visit, amazing trails and beautiful scenery. Their prices were a little higher than some of the places I've been.

Kate Savidge

Such a sweet little park. We weren't able to get out and explore due to our own physical abilities. There are steps that run up the hill beside the falls so during the times the state park has park rangers on duty in case of emergencies, one can walk up the side of the falls. We were there is April just when spring was starting. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be when the trees have leaves and the flowers and grass is at their best. There is a playground for kids and picnic tables to enjoy your lunch.

Jennifer Magi

The cascading falls are beautiful. We went hiking up to the top and it was amazing. Must see.

Shay Kardell

It was a very long walk with a lot of stairs, well worth your energy if you want something to do on the weekend with your Family.

Denise Wheaton

Absolutely beautiful. Perfect day. Very clean area. Working on a couple of the rim trails to make safer for guests. Picnic area very nice

Vanessa Bright, LAc LP

Such beauty!! Lots of tables and grills to have a picnic, clean bathrooms, and a variety of trails. Just wonderful!!

RF Strait

As they say Ithaca is gorgeous. Over the years my friends and I have shared many memorable times in the Ithaca area. I've always enjoyed visiting Ithaca, the surrounding parks and falls. The residents of the area have always been friendly and polite with open mindedness and diversity among the college students and the town people. The state parks that are located in the area have always been pleasant to visit whether it's for a family or public event or just a small picnic. Sometimes the parks can become busy but there's always a place to pull up a rock and have a peaceful seat. Always beautiful views.

Simply_Richie

Absolutely gorgeous. I've been coming here since I was a kid. If you enjoy hiking and waterfalls then this is the place for you.

Shirin Tahir Khawaja

Amazing...it justifies its name properly...super easy to access by all ages this is a must see waterfall when you are in Ithaca. The movement you enter the park this is first thing you see, no hike...just few steps n you are right there

S Hoover

Bathrooms are all shut except one which you needed to walk across the whole park and the rd to get to, then the ladies side was out on tp. And the main trail is closed, not sure why? If anyone is worried about ppl being properly masked, most folks were wearing them.

Jennifer Tang

(Review for the cabin) The cabin space was very quaint and modern. It was small, but enough for a weekend trip. The washrooms were also clean, although the shower space was awkward. Had to knock off a star because the door was SO difficult to unlock. It was clear that we had a faulty lock, but they couldn’t offer much because the cabin space were fully taken.

Ana DR

Friendly staff, nice hikes, clean bathroom station. It is a small campground but I think that makes it cozy. It also has small cabins to rent. They allow dogs. :-D There is a lovely swimming area. The water is churned by the cascades running into the swimming area. Even has an area for dogs to refresh their little paws. Near shops if you need anything. Would definitely go back.

Megan M. H.

This was the first of Ithaca’s Falls we discovered. As a mother with a little one, I appreciate that you can easily view the falls not far from the parking lot, without having to hike a distance. That being said, we have walked up the stairs a ways and enjoyed the view, but hope to explore other trails in the park someday. The bathrooms and playground are nice for a break from traveling too.

Patrick Battaglia

Beautiful falls if you go when there's water. Nice hikes.

Tad Ignatz

Great hike but better signage needed along trails to reinforce one way hiking. Disappointing to see the amount of trash left by hikers in areas, beer cans, masks etc. Low flow due to lack of rain in the area this summer.

Kurt Guo

Beautiful hiking trail! When I came here I lost the path and aimlessly lead a group of 10-15 people who were following me from a distance into the wilderness for 30 minutes.

Phil Brown

This is one of the best state parks around!

Camper Steve

One of Ithaca's finest waterfalls. I recommend hiking up the gorge trail and down the rim. If your truly daring you can walk up gorge to bear trail to treman lake and back down the rim as well. New trail went in this year as well which I have not personally walked. Can be accessed from the lower lot.

Tammy Miller (TastyTraveler)

If you're up for about 586+- steps and regular increases in elevation, the hike up to the upper falls is well worth it! There are more falls around every corner. My husband was amazed at how many there were.

Rebecca Warren

I love this place in any season, but the half-frozen falls are amazing. The parking is convenient and the falls are beautiful! There is even a playground for children nearby and many benches and tables, making this the perfect picnic location too.

D

Beautiful park. The falls are absolutely amazing. There is a trail loop that you can do by walking up alongside the falls and then returning back down on the adjacent side. Gets very busy so advise arriving early.

Cong Liu (sixoneone)

Nice hiking. Lots of fun.

Dani Thomas

Great hiking spot! My friend and I had a blast himing, taking pictures, and just enjoying nature and the beautiful waterfalls!

Ashis Bhisey

Beautiful hiking spot, with stone steps most of the way. The ascent can be quite steep in places but it's still a moderate difficulty trail. Lots of little falls and pools of water along the way. Unfortunately for us, the water level was low when we visited, but it must look spectacular when the flow is higher.

Bill Allen

This park is so beautiful and just a few minutes south of Ithaca. Take the Rim Trail to the top of the falls and when weather permits, hike up the beautiful stone steps that run along the waterfalls. Note, there is a parking charge often when the weather is nice.

Yew Kar

I love this park...I took the steps all the way to the top and hiked down on the other side through the woods.

Julfihar Ali S

Easily accessible. Just 2 mins from the parking lot and no hiking required.

Paige Cullop

Beautiful views at buttermilk falls! The stairs in the beginning are killer but well worth it.

Sheli Weiglein

Beautiful scenery and nice trails. The waterfalls are so pretty.

Preston Reeder

Loved this hike! It's shady and cool even in the summer, but the elevation changes made it a somewhat challenging hike despite being just over a mile round trip. Definitely recommend!

Jessie S

Awesome waterfall with a nice trail. Great views from the parking area, but if your up for a little hike there is a lot more to it. There are several more falls along the route.

NADA OSMAN

There is hiking to sharp up and down but it is wonderful to take many pictures with waterfall looks beautiful I loved the view their and the waterfall to play

Maria

Great walk, very clean park, beautiful pools and easy access to bathrooms. No swimming until July 1, 2022 and be sure to get your Empire State park pass $80 bucks. Grants you access all summer to most State parks.

Trish Brown

Beautiful day to walk the trail and splash in the water. Well kept park.

Pinky Bourbois

It's so beautiful here😍 …

Chuck Metcalfe

The waterfall was flowing very heavily while we were there. Great place for a quick visit, a picnic or a hike.

Sharlene Fletcher

Drive up and immediately see the falls. Swimming allowed in pool at bottom of falls when lifeguard on duty. Beautiful.

Rene Richter

Buttermilk Falls Park is very nice! There they can enjoy the nature in full and enjoy. To the beautiful waterfalls there are also several hiking trails which are only recommended. Here they are close to nature and can enjoy them in peace. In summer there are also nice places to have a picnic.

Nathan Erbland

Always a beautiful little hike up the gorge.

Laura Morgan

Beautful park, trails were well maintained, and it had a great playground.

Stephen Gutjahr

Would likely give this a 5 rating if we had visited earlier in the year. Practically no water at all in the falls in mid-August 2022. A visit in the Spring is likely awesome.

Drone Flyer

Prepare to walk stairs, alot of stairs, but on very doable level. The scenery is well worth it. I will definitely visit again.

Robyn Forkey

Family friendly trails along water. Tad slippery the further in you go in winter

Pinky Bee

So it's so beautiful here😍 …

Mark Jaggar

An amazing place to enjoy nature and take the kids and the dog as well.

Viktor Monkevic

Beautiful track to go to. Must see if you are in the area.

Colin Mack

We loved the hiking along the falls. Beautiful views of the whole falls on the trail up the right side.

Adam Brumberg

One of the great conservation Corp parks built during the depression in the 1930s. Incredible trails (open most of the year but closed in winter for good reason) and swimming in summer. There is also camping available. Make a trip to the upper park too and check out Lake Treman.

Brian Rampenthal

Beautiful! Start at upper and work your way down!

Dr. P

First time to these falls. In a drought so falls weren't falling to much. Had to dodge rain storms while we were here which shortened our trip. Sure we will be back.

Jan Robinson

We camped here for the first time this past weekend. There is no electric and only a couple water stations. This made it very quiet and peaceful for camping. It was a beautiful setting and there are plenty of places to shop just outside the park (Walmart, Wegmans, Dunkin Donuts, Panera, Chipotle, etc.). There is some road noise. The gorge trail was a bit challenging for those not used to an uphill walk, but do able and totally worth it. Our 6 year old had no trouble with the hike and the playground was great

Dhanashree Kalghatgi

I've been to this place only about a thousand times, love it. Love the trails and the falls.

Joseph Belford

Great park

Pete Grigor

Drop.Dead.Gorgeous! Everything I expected it to be. Last time I was here, was over 40 years ago and its as I remembered. Biker the Rim Trail down and Gorge Trail back.

Jessica L. Halas

Awesome hike around the gorge. This was one of my favorite hikes in the finger lakes area. The hike is definitely tough going up. There are many little treasures along the way.

David DiNoia

Awesome view from the Lower Falls section. Will go back on a drier day when then stairs along the falls are not so slippery with wet leaves.

Talia Sepiol

Beautiful park. Highly recommend doing the loop trail to see pinnacle falls.

Maria Schifano

Stunning. Definitely not a drive by.

Michael Kelly

Amazing canyon to climb within. Another great CCC works project. About 700 feet of climbing, but you do it slowly (except the big initial stairway). It outshines most gorges (except Watkins Glen).

Abigail Adams

Excellent for faster trips... Still highly beautiful, but easier access to the falls than you would expect!

Anna Yatskar

Beautiful park to walk around

Brandon Wagner

I love this place gorgeous and gorgeus all around great endorphin release awesome climbing

Patrick Collene

This place is beautiful! So easy to get to. Parking is very close to the falls. So many falls and picture taking opportunities. There is a long uphill hike to the top filled with non-stop breathtaking scenery. The trail is up close to the creek and falls. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Young or old, all can enjoy this place. We would stop here again when in the area. Not a fan of the town of Ithaca.

Steffryz

Gorgeous waterfall. Its definitely a hike up to get to the top, it keeps going and going.

Elizabeth Comeca

Great view. Something to keep in mind is the park is closed for the season.

Danielle Pelaez

Great trails and views ! Nice swimming area but not a ton of water coming down at this time. Clean bathrooms and water fountains

HA TRAN

Beautiful waterfalls 👍! Walking distance from Holliday Inn Express on Elmira Road, Ithaca. …

Carol Shaw

Very pretty place to walk around or just chill. Honestly, I found it very odd that there were no trash cans anywhere and that probably explained why there seem to be a lot of trash lying around. You would think for the entry fee that they would put some trash cans up. Just saying....

Amaury Berrios

Such a beautiful place a must go, Awsome trails steep uphill but very fun

Asyouwish T

Absolutely gorgeous park with spectacular views and a very nice hike. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

M.T. W

Campgrounds: Brand new cabins, it's pretty nice. They accommodated our late check in. Some sites are pretty cramped, some sites are well spaced, it's pretty quiet at night. The facilities are well kept, cleaning than others that I've been to. Trails: very well kept, very beautiful. I didn't go to far, fairly well marked. Playground: very interesting playground, seemed pretty creative.

Amanda Brockman

So beautiful. Take a nice hike on the trails then cool off with a swim at the bottom of the falls 🥰 …

Kirk Chit Khin

Great, very short hike (3/4 mile up) around some amazing falls. Dog friendly, except for the swimming area at the lower entrance. Definitely recommend parking at the lower entrance.

Alan Libove

Delightful, beautiful, steep climb but not as many steps as Watkins Glen

Jason 'Morvan' Monastra

Great park. Nice easy walk to the falls. Inside the city of Ithaca. About 2 miles from the campsite to the falls overlook. A nice quiet place to camp among all the noise.

Justin P

We drove by Buttermilk Falls State Park and could see the waterfall, so made a quick stop. One of many waterfalls in the Ithaca area, the falls are visible from the parking lot and the Gorge Trail leads up alongside. The water cascades down into a small pool though swimming is prohibited. We got some pictures from the pool and hiked a short ways up along it, but didn't stay long since it was close to sunset. I think there are more waterfalls further up the gorge and would like to explore more if I ever come back.

Rachel Landis

Awesome place, next time I will allow more time to hike the whole falls

Alyssa Leonheart

Gorgeous, scenic trails. Highly recommend.

Pedro Garcia

Beautiful scenic park with dozens of natural waterfalls.

Roza Vaksengiser

A wonderful hike! Beautiful views! Not too challenging...hiking boots would be helpful.

Apostolos Gerasoulis

A great park. Make sure you take the gorge path to see all the waterfalls. They are like a dream following each other. Going back is abit hard. Many steps to climb. You could avoid the steps by going back through the Rim trail. You could cross over in the middle using a bridge if you wish to try some uphill steps. Enjoy!

Lisa Bersani

Trails are clearly marked. Very nice bathrooms.

Scott Schroer (Skotalot)

I love it here soooo much!

Anne Rochester

Beautiful. Really lovely views. Lots of picnic tables. (Note: yes, you may need to drive over some moving water. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.)

Matthew Piccirilli

Another wonderful trail not far from Ithaca. It's also got an amazing playground at the bottom and it's not far from Ithaca beer company too!

Michael Brown

Gorgeous waterfalls and gorge. Nice trail to walk and explore. Are a lot of steps if thats not your thing, dont take the trail

Ashlee Osterberg

This is a fantastic area. It is a gorgeous set of falls with a very nice trail for hiking. It is beautiful and well maintained without being interfered with.

Toni Zuranski

This hike will give you a run for your money! Very steep with lots of stairs but absolutely worth every excruciating step!(I'm not in the best shape of my life lol) pictures do not do it justice!

Craig Scott

Very nice! First time here! Just beautiful and I'm not easily impressed. Trails all over. Trail right next to the water.

Dennis Zheng

Easy to hike the loop trial from the falls parking area.

Cody bazzell

Small yet very beautiful park with great trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes

Catherine V

Beautiful cascading waterfall! The Gorge Trail hike from the base is challenging with lots of steps but worth the effort with changing views of the water flowing. We returned to the base via the Rim Trail which has steep downhill sections. The park map does not indicate the difficulty of the trails.These trails are challenging and may present difficulties for those who are not fit, elderly or small children.

Terri Ann Granny

Its beautiful all year the best is early spring for the falls lots of places to hike or rest for lunch

Ofra Rahav

Amazing site, great trail! Water falls all along the way.

Nirmal

Unbelievable experience.. Nature rocks at this place! We took the Gorge Trail with a 8 year old and 2 year old.. It was a great hit.. The entire trail was pleasing for the eyes with great views of the water falls, caves, pools.. We did find a nice spot to jump into the water and get wet in the waterfalls.. Overall a must visit in fingerlakes area. We will return here for sure!

Craig Basl

Trails and views are nice. Walked them multiple times. Park staff friendly and helpful. Pool area nice to cool off in. Could use more picnic tables. Brown trout stuck in s pool

Marli Campbell

Pleasent place to walk and just get in tune with nature and forget about your troubles and what great about it is it is just outside beautiful Ithaca. You feel like you are 100 miles from the nearest town but you are just right around the corner. DOG FRIENDLY PLACE AS WELL

Edward Toombs

Great place for a good hike. Then can swim next to waterfall. Also has a seperate dog area for the four legged freinds to cool off

Alexander Stick

Probably the most accessible park in Tompkins county. If you're willing to walk the stairs it's absolutely worth every step. Walk back in time and be blown away. Trust me it's absolutely worth it!

Scott Laffer

Great place to hike

Karthik S

I don’t know how much to talk about this falls. If you are a beginner. Just drive to bottom of the falls and enjoy. If you are a moderate and pro hike then start at the top of Indian trail down to buttermilk falls. There are many stops along the way for photo ops. Though swimming is not allowed, there are places where you can swim. Climbing up the steps can be a little tough. Take breaks, get sufficient amount of water, snacks if you like. Water is a must. Rim trail offers another side of view and its strenuous hike.

Donna M.

The gorge trail is closed for the winter. The falls are simply beautiful!

Deb O

Beautiful falls! Restrooms were clean. It looks like you can swim at the bottom of the falls when a lifeguard is on duty. Lots of families and it's dog friendly! The actual falls are right off the parking lot. There is a set of steps going right up the side of the falls. So hiking trails are here too.

Dawn Grieves

Great hike. Lots of stairs. I think we counted about 576. It's scenic along the entire trail.

Peter Montaglione

Wet Gorge trail takes a little extra time to navigate. Great park.

Caitlyn Hibbard

Nice walk, really easy gorge trail other than it being all uphill.

Jim Robertson

Late fall visit, very low waterfowl Would likely rate 5* at different time of year

Alicja Szafranski

Many stairs to force, a nice waterfalls scenery. Definitely worth to see. 8$ fee for a car. No

Kristie Werth

This is probably my favorite waterfall hike when it comes to scenery...it’s gorgeous and there are so many different falls to see. However, the park is SO busy, which makes it slightly less enjoyable. Also, the hiking trail is marked as ‘one way only’ and you have to go up the rim trail and down the gorge trail...which means you are constantly turning around to see the falls. Would make a lot more sense to me if you hiked the opposite way, so you could enjoy the views the whole time. Still worth a stop...because it’s amazingly beautiful!

Malarie Perelshteyn

Wow! Best falls I hiked up there during our week stay!

Francis Zimmer

Just a beautiful place to relax and enjoy. After 6:00 PM in summer you can park for free. You cannot swim, no lifeguard, but it does not get dark until 8:30 PM, so a nice spot to hang around, listen to the flow of water or read a book / tablet. Some nice trails, but spots can be steep. In the wooded trails it will become dark earlier, so plan accordingly. Bathrooms are available, and a small shed with bottled drinks to buy (from machines). Even up to at least 7:00 PM, the gate house is occupied, so maps, brochures and a person to ask questions to is available.

Crystal Meyer

Recommend taking Rim trail down and Gorge trail up if u park at upper falls.

Julie Yoon

Popular place! Super convenient location almost a stone's throw from local shopping. Nice views of the gorge and swimming allowed as well.

Christina Goldstein

Great short hike for any ability. I like that there are two trail options so you can do a loop (gorge trail and rim trail). Gorges and waterfalls are beautiful. Parking is good for the day at ALL parks so the $9 is acceptable. Bathrooms are clean. Nice little playground by the lot as well.

Katharine Davis

This is your “old” person review.😉 The gorge trail going up is gorgeous, however lots and lots of stairs! Did I say lots?? I made it! I took my time and I utilized my hiking poles. I wore my hiking boots, although I was definitely in the minority. The rim trail is quite manageable going down, a little slick, as it had rained the day before. It’s about a 2 hour round trip hike. I’d have to say it is a moderate trail. Hope this helps! If I can do it , so can you! Happy hiking!✌🏻

Dan Ellis

Beautiful falls and great trails. Had a great time there!

Caylen Payne

Beautiful hike and gorgeous views of the falls here. Can be a little challenging for some people.. lots of steps!!

Tiptup8

Very nice area and trails.

Cybil Snarf

You can't go wrong visiting Buttermilk Falls!! Great, challenging hike and absolutely beautiful scenery!!

Stuart Trock

A wonderful State Park. It has a very popular waterfalls at the Northern end. It has lovely trails and an entrance in the middle of the park as well as a very small entrance at the southern end of the park. All sections are a delight at all seasons for those who like hiking with some vertical components. Swimming in season available at the Northern end which has a substantial but not gigantic parking lot. It also has bathrooms.

Konstantin Akimov

Few people and lots of views. Weather was perfect.

Eric Dame

We had hoped to be able to swim after our hiking experience, but swimming was closed for the day & there was really no explanation as to why. Other than that, we had a good experience. The falls are beautiful. The trails are clean & not too challenging.

Anthony Almond

What a gorgeous place. Came here during the winter with snow all on the ground. The trails were in no way clear, but had been walked enough to make it through. Stairs we're icky, so be careful if there is snow out. The waterfalls were breathtaking. I know there were more that I didn't see. The area is huge and seems like you would need to come back multiple times to explore it all. Definitely a place to visit. I will be back in the spring and fall to see the changing of seasons as well.

Glenn Anthony

Great place for a hike...or too walk up 10,000 stairs...have fun!

Melanie Williams

Strenuous climb up many stairs and rocky areas to get to the top of the balls but well worth the effort!

Bryan Myers

Beautiful falls and the hike is not too hard. Worth the walk.

papichulo110029

Great family location for : picnics Walking Jogging Biking Clean play ground Ample parking Clean Safe

Anthony Binshammer

Buttermilk falls, wow, what to say... it is a sacred place of utter beauty to us locals. Lush waterfalls in countless amounts, heights, woods, cold pools and beaches. Locals find fault in how much the students have utterly ruined some of the things that made it transcend to epic, but is definitely a must see!

Dakota Strickner

Awesome views really recommend! Also wonderfully clean walking trails.

Luther Leong

Great place to see waterfalls along well maintained trails. We went on a perfect Summer day and the park was relatively crowded but still enjoyable. The views, the Gorge and Rim trails are well worth the trip.

Jason Diehl

Nice clean camping area. Great walking trails. Beautiful scenery! Unfortunately the waterfalls were absent due to the drought.

Kellie Barkley

Beautiful. Need to come back in later spring to see more waterfalls!

Jo Anne Bigler

That is a beautiful and more challenging walk with steep steps but well worth it

Carla P

Excellent for all ages and family! Great swimming area. Small space for sunbathing. Hiking and camping! Can't wait to go back!

Stephen Perrine

Easy to access good trails, not recommended if you have more than two kids you would have to keep from running off as not all the length of the trails is fenced in on the gorge side.

Stephen Yang

Great falls to access from the bottom or top with small trails off the main Buttermilk Falls - Gorge Trail.

Frank Leahy

One of the best swimming holes around and convenient to downtown Ithaca, Buttermilk Falls offers a wow factor even for a look-see or walkabout. Convenient parking and proximity for wheelchair user, the falls area is very accessible. There are many trails as well for the skilled hiker.

Marek Los

Beautiful park, but removing stars for an awful lack of garbage cans anywhere. Went to the bathroom, trash piling up everywhere. Nowhere outside to dispose of garbage either. Really simply solution….will really improve the overall experience!

Doug Robertson

Nice spring hike, the gorge side was closed for ice. Still a great little walk.

Jeremy L

Very nice park to see the water falls, on site parking with fee per vehicle. Gorge trail is beautiful, many steep steps though a walking stick is recommended. If you start the trail on main entrance, once you are at the end of gorge trail you have the option to take the Rim trail back to the main entrance parking. Rim trail is easier for your feet.

Linda Turner

An easy access family swimming hole. Also some picnic and walking trails. As the saying goes about Ithaca... "Ithaca is Gorges" I think there are 5 gorges/ waterfalls easy to see & appreciate in & around the city. The trail to the top of Buttermilk Falls is steep... but there are other flatter trails close by if that is your thing to do.

Andrew Rodrigues

Beautiful to see, but they don't let you bath in it. (even in the safest spots...) A national guard walking around to make sure of that

Katherine hoey

Beautiful when frozen, trail challenging. Walking sticks highly recommended.

Carolina Egas Arturo

Such a gorgeous place to visit! Recommended

Jeffrey Elletson

Great spot for a quick hike! The waterfall and gorge is beautiful to watch and to experience on a hot day!

Robyn Trinkle

We had planned to explore several waterfalls today but this was such a beautiful waterfall we didn't leave all day!

KINGPARTH PATEL

Amazing view of nature. One of the finest place one should visit when in newyork. The best part of this place are the adventurous trails. It is always fun traveling to this place.

Kati Del Toro

Very beautiful. Sadly wasn't here for summer season. We made a pit stop here coming from niagara falls. Great playground as well for the little ones.

Alina Gleockler

Buttermilk Falls is a Gorge-ous place to experience. It has great trails, a fun playground, and peaceful picnic places! It's easily accessible for the whole family!

Natalie Pavlovec

I was here last Sunday, May 2nd, 2021. This park is absolutely breathtaking. I didn’t intend to go to this park because I already explored a botanical garden and a nature preserve and was about to head home for the day. I was about to start back, look to my left, and see a GIANT waterfall, so I had to stop. I ended up doing the gorge trail, and I’m so glad I did. It was absolutely beautiful, and surprisingly not very crowded.

Anthony

Here's everything you need to know. The trail is essentially up one side of the river and down the other. The up climb is fairly intense. If you're carrying 40 or more extra pounds, this is probably not the trail for you. Thin people definitely faired much better. But there is an easy way, provided you have two cars. There is a parking lot at the top, and one at the bottom. Get dropped off at the top, walk to the bottom via the Gorge Trail, and take the 2nd car back. It is the least amount of work this way. The point of the tough hike up is to experience the views down, so if you have 2 vehicles, you can start at the top and just get the views. Now, if you're not so fit, and you don't have 2 vehicles, and you want to experience a gorge like this, check out Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen views are great and it is much less strenuous. The hike up was definitely a work-out and I had a tinge of pride having done it, so there's that.

Ima Momfirst

So beautiful all year long. We happened to be there as ice broke and falls started flowing again

Sandeep Sharma

Such a beautiful place! The hike was pretty easy. Although the initial climb on the Rim trail is steep but it is short and the the trail levels out. The trail is marked one way at the moment- climb up rim trail and come down via the gorge trail. One of the must see places in Ithaca area!

Anish Mathew

Hiking trails are awesome. Stand under the water fall after a steep hike...

Bonnie K

I didn't know what I was getting into when I started walking up but boy well worth very step up one side and down the other

Keith Kline

Nice smaller state park very pretty falls with hiking trails and a swim area starting July 1st.

Eugene Platonov

The waterfalls are beautiful, but as for facilities, all the men restrooms were closed and directing to each other :(

Rebecca Jene Conklin

We took the trail to the right of the falls. We hiked to the overlook to see one more cascade then hiked up to see another. The trail is fairly steep. We did not go all the way to the top but many do. There is a cost for parking (NY state park fee). Keep the receipt because you can use it to also park at Tunkhannock State Park just down the road (or any other NY state park that day). Tunkhannock has a variety of trails to explore as well.

Erica *

Lots of small beautiful falls, a fairly easy hike.This was my second time here.

Frank Toth

Clean well kept and plenty of hiking available.

Manish Karanjavkar

Great place to have a quick picnic. Plus no worries about food after the 2 mile hike around the falls as there is a huge shopping plaza literally 5 mins away. Btw hike is pretty steep at certain points, Proper footwear recommended. (No flip flops) along with an attitude to walk up a mountain :)

Nancy Elmore

There has been lots of rain so the Falls were spectacular and it just seemed like they went on and on forever.

Roderick Wortham

Very nice location that is very visitor friendly. The Rim trail, up the waterfall, isn't as awesome as the walk down (as per the new rules, one way up and one way down) but towards the upper part of the falls is where things get interesting. Ponds of water with deeper ponds carved into them. Many smaller falls, and rock outcroppings with dripping water giving it an open cave-like vibe. It's very cool.

Josh M

The falls and gorges were beautiful and impressive, I have been coming here as a kid yet it amazes me every time. And the trails are all clean, which was impressive since so many people come here.

Peter Cayer

So Ithaca has ton of waterfalls and state parks nearby - Buttermilk is my least favorite - but it's still great! Honestly the trails for hiking are the weakest, but the falls and gorge are beautiful. Brand new playground near the entrance. Campground is small and last we camped tent only.

Erin Baum

Great place to hiking, lots of easy pull offs from the road and nicely marked trails. Wanna get to know upstate New York wildlife this is the place to go

Bethany Petersen

The falls are beautiful, the park is clean and my kids love it here.

Ciro Gambone

The falls are fantastic the hike to the top is a challenge but worth the effort

Megan Wilcox

These waterfalls easily rival Watkin's Glen State Park! I went here the day after Watkin's, and really enjoyed how not crowded it was on Labor Day. I was there around 9am. The hike is slightly strenuous going up (it's one way, so you go along the rim trail right now to go up). Once you're a the top of the rim trail, make sure you walk along the bridge on the same side of the road and you'll see the stairs down to the gorge trail. Once on the gorge trail, it's downhill and very easy. This is the only way to see the waterfalls up close. The water was running well while I was there, not overflowing, and it was still a great sight to see.

Mehmet Rezan Altinkaynak

It is an amazing place but apparently during the june july the water is not as much as in spring.

Sarah Smith

Very beautiful place. I enjoyed camping there! Was slightly disappointed we were unable to swim due to the heat. But we managed. The bathrooms on the other hand were very unsanitary, and only have 2 showers made it a little difficult. Would camp there again.

Garnett Bruce

Very nice trail. A decent amount of steps and incline but not close to that of watkins glenn. Went towards the end of summer but would love to go back mid spring to see more water. Pool areas were closed off but throughout the trail a lot of people were milling about in the water. Went on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't super crowded but we weren't really ever by ourselves. A short drive to ithaca for dinner if your visiting the area. Leashed - dog friendly!

Jeff Clark

Memorable river and waterfall hike. It gets wet in some areas so be prepared for a bit of mud and water.

Gabrielle Cressman

A good amount of uphill trekking depending on where you start, but amazing views - a must see if you're in the area

Tim Bruzdzinski

Beautiful park and swim spot. Remember its a carry in/out park so bring a trash bag.

Andrew VanBortel

Would have given it a 5 star but it was too hot this Father's day! At least the sweaty hike up to the gorge was rewarded with the coolness of the creek. Ithaca, as they say, is gorgeous.

Kyle Schooley

We didn't go too far and we just saw the major waterfall at the entrance because the trail to the other watering places was closed being that they open in the summer

Lucas Mattingly

Great place to hike and relax. Cool swimming spot as well

Vijaylakshmi v n

There was too little water when we visited this attraction. We only went halfway up since it was late in the evening, it was raining and getting pretty dark.

Sarah Reem

This was such a gorgeous hike. You think you've seen the main attraction when you come to the first part of the falls, but as you go along the gorge trail there's just more and more amazing scenery. It is a bit of an uphill hike, and not for the faint of foot, but if you can manage a bit of a strenuous hike, the scenery is well worth the effort. As a bonus, there are bathrooms and a drinking fountain available when the park is open.

Diane Waterman-DePoint

Be ready for half the hike going uphill with stairs! But, the other half is leisurely and has spectacular views. The NY State parks require an $8 fee to enter each day... not sure of fee for camping. We were there for a day hike. We chose this area, since it has multiple parks, lakes and waterfalls within a half hour. Many wineries too, in fact, too many for one visit!

GLADY P JOSEPH

Beautiful and one of the toughest trail. The Gorge.

Jennifer Baker-Chopra

You can catch a glimpse of this from the road, and see it all before you get to the gate. But if you want to stop and take pictures you have to pay $9 to park. The weather wasn't great, so we didn't do any hiking, but there were stairs along one side of the falls for up close views

Nathaniel Terpening

On the smaller side there are a few camping sites and several older cabins with electric and several new ones that do not. Decent size campsites with number 14 being the nicest, down a little and hidden from the other neighbors. Very shaded with lots of trees. Plenty of sites with good sun too if that's your thing. Showers and bathrooms are frequently cleaned (twice a day during COVID) and nice staff. The hike to the falls is moderate to strenuous but worth it. It's one way right now and definitely the better way to go so you just have to follow the arrows and signs and you will be on the way to a nice view and peaceful experience. Dogs are welcome too!

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