Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $10 per car (Apr-Nov).
- Heads-up Lake Treman parking-area restroom closed for the season on Oct 13, 2026.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): The park is open year-round, dawn to dusk. In mid-October 2026 its page said all trails were open but to check with the park office. The Gorge Trail usually closes for winter once ice forms. The 2026 swim and camping seasons have ended. What the status labels mean
Buttermilk Falls is a cascade beside the Main Entrance lot of Buttermilk Falls State Park, just south of Ithaca off Route 13. Above it, the Gorge Trail climbs about 600 feet on stone steps, but it usually closes in winter once ice forms. New York State Parks charges $10 per car from April to November, and swimming is allowed only in the lifeguarded pool in summer.
About Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls is the cascade at the bottom of Buttermilk Creek's gorge, just south of Ithaca. The main falls and a swimming pool sit right by the Main Entrance parking lot, so you can see them with almost no walking.
Above the falls, the creek drops about 600 feet along the Gorge Trail, past pools, rock formations and several more waterfalls, according to New York State Parks. Wikipedia counts 10 waterfalls in the park. We found no official height for the main cascade, so we don't list one.
Robert and Laura Treman gave the original 164 acres to New York State in 1924, Wikipedia says, and the park has since grown to 811 acres. Today it has a campground, a day-use area and Lake Treman in its upper section.
Why it's called Buttermilk Falls
The name comes from the creek's frothy white water. Wikipedia quotes an 1866 account that described it as 'thick, frothy foam.'
For a taller falls nearby, Lucifer Falls in Robert H. Treman State Park drops 115 feet, per NY State Parks.
Getting there and parking
Buttermilk Falls is beside the Main Entrance lot at 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd, off Route 13 south of Ithaca. New York State Parks charges $10 per car from April to November.
Main Entrance vs Upper Entrance
The Main Entrance is at 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, off Route 13 south. It serves the falls, the swimming area, the campground and the bottom of the Gorge Trail.
The Upper Entrance serves the day-use area, Pinnacle Rock, Lake Treman and the top of the gorge trails. Jennings Pond is a third entrance. You can reach the park office at (607) 273-5761.
Fee and Empire Pass
New York State Parks charges a $10 per car vehicle use fee in 2026. The vehicle fee is collected from April 1 to November 30, daily from 6:00am to 6:30pm. The Empire Pass covers it, and buses pay $35.
Buttermilk is one of several waterfall stops around Ithaca. Ithaca Falls is a very short walk in the city's Fall Creek neighborhood. Taughannock Falls is another state park, northwest of town near Trumansburg.
Buttermilk Falls campground
The park has a campground with tent and trailer sites and rustic cabins, near the Main Entrance. We found no official count of sites or cabins, so we don't list one.
In 2026, campsites cost $17 to $21 a night, plus $5 a night for out-of-state campers, per NY State Parks. The reservation or cancellation fee was $7.25, and walk-in campers paid a $1.25 fee.
Cabins rent by the week at $210 to $238, plus $28 a week for out-of-state campers. The daily rate is a quarter of the weekly charge, with a two-night minimum.
NY State Parks requires advance reservations for cabins and takes no walk-ins for them. It strongly recommends reserving campsites too. The park lists showers, including accessible showers, among its amenities.
The 2026 camping season ran May 15 to October 11. The park had not posted 2027 dates as of late October 2026.
For groups, the park rents a pavilion for $100 a day, with a two-day minimum.
Map and nearby falls
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Gorge Trail, Rim Trail and the loop
Base of the falls: the main falls are a short walk from the Main Entrance lot. New York State Parks lists the waterfall and the swimming beach among the park's accessible features.
Gorge Trail: this trail climbs about 600 feet beside Buttermilk Creek to just past Pinnacle Rock, a 42-foot rock column in the gorge. New York State Parks says it has many stone steps and may be difficult for some visitors. Ithaca Trails lists it as 0.65 mile and rates it difficult.
Rim Trail and loop: Ithaca Trails gives about 0.82 mile for the Rim Trail. Paired with the Gorge Trail, it makes a loop of about 1.5 miles, according to Wikipedia. Ithaca Trails says the Rim Trail stays open all year.
Bear Trail: this trail continues on to Lake Treman.
Up to two pets are allowed in day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less, or crated, and always supervised. They can't go in buildings, playgrounds, boardwalks, pools or guarded beaches. Campers need proof of rabies vaccination at check-in.
When to visit
The park is open dawn to dusk, year-round, but the Gorge Trail is not. Ithaca Trails says it closes once ice forms on the trail and gorge walls. A 2025 park notice said it usually closes when temperatures drop below freezing.
Reopening in spring depends on winter and flood damage, so there's no fixed date. In fall 2025 the Gorge Trail also closed on weekdays from October 14 for stonework. In mid-October 2026, the park page said all trails were open but advised checking with the park office.
Swim season and Gorge Trail closures
For the strongest flow, Visit Ithaca points to spring. Summer is swim season instead. In 2026 the lifeguarded pool opened on July 3, and the campground season ran May 15 to October 11.
On October 13, 2026, the park said the restroom at the Lake Treman parking area had closed for the season.
| Trail | Main falls a short walk from the Main Entrance lot. The Gorge Trail climbs about 600 ft on many stone steps (0.65 mi per Ithaca Trails). With the Rim Trail it makes a loop of about 1.5 mi (Wikipedia). |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to the base of the falls; Gorge Trail rated difficult (Ithaca Trails) |
| Entry fee | $10 per car vehicle use fee (2026), collected April 1 to November 30, daily 6:00am-6:30pm; covered by the Empire Pass |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; $10 vehicle use fee April to November (Empire Pass accepted) |
| Parking | Main Entrance off Route 13 for the falls ($10, Apr-Nov) |
| Hours / season | Dawn to dusk, year-round (NY State Parks) |
| Dogs | Up to 2 pets in day-use areas on a leash of 6 ft or less, or crated; not in buildings, playgrounds, boardwalks, pools or guarded beaches |
| Swimming | Only in the designated pool at the base of the falls when lifeguards are on duty. The 2026 season (from July 3) has ended. No swimming elsewhere in the gorge. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | NY State Parks lists the swimming beach and the waterfall among accessible features. The Gorge Trail, with many stone steps, is not accessible. |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Lake Treman parking-area restroom closed for the season on Oct 13, 2026; the park lists other restrooms and campground showers (NY State Parks) |
| Best time to visit | Spring for peak flow (Visit Ithaca) |
| Managed by | New York State Parks (OPRHP), Finger Lakes Region |
Safety and swimming
Swimming is allowed only in the designated pool at the base of the falls, and only when lifeguards are on duty. In 2026 that meant 11am to 7pm on Fridays through Mondays, plus some weekdays when staffing allowed.
The park said the 2026 swim season was likely to close by mid-August, and that it could close at any time for water quality, weather or staffing. The 2026 swim season is over. Check the park page for next summer's dates.
Swimming in the gorge outside the designated area is not allowed. On the Gorge Trail, take the stone steps slowly and expect wet rock near the creek. Do not use the trail when the park has closed it for ice. See our waterfall safety guide for more.
Where to stay near Buttermilk Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Ithaca.
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Photos
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Buttermilk Falls FAQ
Can you swim at Buttermilk Falls?
Only in the designated pool at the base of the falls when lifeguards are on duty. In 2026 swimming began July 3, Fridays through Mondays from 11am to 7pm, and was expected to end by mid-August. Swimming elsewhere in the gorge isn't allowed.
Is the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail open in winter?
Usually not. The Gorge Trail closes once ice forms on the trail and gorge walls, and it reopens after spring repairs, with no fixed date. The Rim Trail stays open year-round. Call the park office at (607) 273-5761 for current status.
How much does it cost to visit Buttermilk Falls State Park?
$10 per car in 2026, collected April 1 to November 30, daily from 6:00am to 6:30pm. The Empire Pass covers it.
How hard is the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail?
It climbs about 600 feet on many stone steps beside the creek, and New York State Parks says it may be difficult for some visitors. Combined with the Rim Trail, it makes a loop of about 1.5 miles.
How long is the Rim Trail at Buttermilk Falls?
About 0.82 mile, per Ithaca Trails. Paired with the Gorge Trail it makes a loop of about 1.5 miles, according to Wikipedia. Ithaca Trails says the Rim Trail stays open all year, even when the Gorge Trail is closed for ice.
Can you see Buttermilk Falls without hiking?
Yes. The main falls and the swimming pool are next to the Main Entrance parking lot off Route 13.
Are dogs allowed at Buttermilk Falls State Park?
Yes, up to two pets on a leash of 6 feet or less in day-use areas. They aren't allowed in buildings, playgrounds, boardwalks, pools or guarded swimming areas.
Can you camp at Buttermilk Falls State Park?
Yes. The park has tent and trailer sites ($17 to $21 a night in 2026, plus $5 for out-of-state campers) and rustic cabins rented by the week. NY State Parks requires reservations for cabins and strongly recommends them for campsites. The 2026 season ran May 15 to October 11.
Nearby waterfalls
Ithaca Falls3 mi straight-lineOpen150FT
Lucifer Falls3 mi straight-lineOpen115FT
Taughannock Falls9 mi straight-lineOpen215FT
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Waterfalls you can swim in
Sources
Some facts credited to the NY State Parks come from search-result excerpts of its official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.
- NY State Parks: Buttermilk Falls State Park (fees, camping, alerts; read Oct 28, 2026)
- NY State Parks: Buttermilk Falls hours of operation
- Ithaca Trails: Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail
- Ithaca Trails: Buttermilk Falls State Park
- Visit Ithaca: Mud season and spring waterfalls
- Wikipedia: Buttermilk Falls State Park
- NY State Parks: Buttermilk Falls State Park details and amenities
- NY State Parks: 2026 Empire Pass now available (press release, Dec 2, 2025)
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with New York State Parks (OPRHP), Finger Lakes Region before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.