Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Fee: no fee found.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. Erie County's Chestnut Ridge page (changed April 20, 2026) posts no trail alert, and the county closes the trail at times for ice. It closed the trail for ice in December 2025, and it was open again by July 2026. What the status labels mean
Eternal Flame Falls is a 30-foot cascade on Shale Creek in Erie County's Chestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, New York. A natural gas seep in a grotto behind the water feeds a small flame that burns most of the year. Erie County's route is about 1.1 miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation change, partly in the creek bed, and the trail can close for ice.
About Eternal Flame Falls
Eternal Flame Falls drops about 30 feet over Shale Creek, a tributary of Eighteen Mile Creek, in the Shale Creek Preserve of Chestnut Ridge Park. The falls are known for a small flame in a grotto behind the water, fed by a natural gas seep, according to Wikipedia.
Chestnut Ridge is the largest park run by the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, at about 1,151 acres. Erie County says its southwest section, sometimes called the Shale Creek Preserve, holds wooded ravines and the Eternal Flame Falls.
Does the flame ever go out?
Yes, at times. Wikipedia says the flame is visible nearly year-round, but it sometimes goes out and gets relit. You may not see the flame lit on any given day.
Where the gas comes from
Scientists have studied the seep. A 2013 study by Indiana University and Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology found the gas is about 35% ethane and propane. The gas is unusually rich for a natural seep, and it vents roughly 1 kilogram of methane per day.
The gas appears to come from the Rhinestreet Shale, about 400 meters underground, and rises through faults to the surface, Wikipedia says.
Getting there and parking
Park at the Eternal Flame parking area off Route 277 (Chestnut Ridge Road). Erie County uses this lot as the meeting point for its ranger-led hikes.
Chestnut Ridge Park address and hours
The park address is 6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127. Erie County Parks can be reached at (716) 858-8355, weekdays 8am to 4pm. Erie County lists no parking or entry fee for Chestnut Ridge.
Erie County lists park hours as 7am to dusk from Labor Day to Memorial Day. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park stays open from 7am to 9pm.
If you're planning more New York falls, Taughannock Falls and Buttermilk Falls are state parks near Ithaca in the Finger Lakes.
Map and nearby falls
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Eternal Flame Trail into Shale Creek
Erie County's ranger-led hike covers 1.12 miles with about 200 feet of elevation change and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The county says the route is steep in places. The surface is mud, dirt, roots and water, and part of it runs in the creek bed.
An older county trail map (2021 PDF) gives the Eternal Flame Trail as about 0.56 mile one way and rates it moderate. The Chestnut Ridge page now links a newer trail map, so check it for the current route.
In summer 2023 the county rebuilt the descent. The roughly $134,000 project added about 135 timber box steps, retaining walls and railings, and moved a section out of the slippery streambed, WKBW reported. The main trail closed from July 17 and reopened about a month later, WKBW reported.
Erie County says the route is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Leashed dogs are allowed. Because part of the hike is in the creek, waterproof shoes are a good idea.
Guided ranger hikes
Erie County Parks runs ranger-led hikes to the falls at times. One took place on July 8, 2026, meeting at the Eternal Flame parking area off Route 277, and its listing shows no fee. A second hike set for September 2, 2026, was canceled for weather. No 2027 dates were posted as of late October 2026.
When to visit
Chestnut Ridge Park is open year-round, but Erie County closes the trail at times when it's icy. Check Erie County Parks before a winter visit.
Winter and ice closures
On December 21, 2025, County Executive Mark Poloncarz posted that Erie County Parks had closed the trail until further notice. He said much of the route, especially the downhill parts, was covered in inches of ice.
The trail was open again by July 2026. As of late October 2026, the Chestnut Ridge page posts no trail alert. We found no source naming a best month for flow.
| Height | 30 ftNote: per Wikipedia |
|---|---|
| Trail | 1.12 mi round trip with about 200 ft of elevation change on Erie County's ranger-led route. Steep in places, with mud, roots and a section in the creek bed |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours (Erie County ranger-led hike) |
| Entry fee | No Erie County parking or entry fee found for Chestnut Ridge |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | Eternal Flame lot off Route 277 |
| Hours / season | Chestnut Ridge Park: 7am to dusk from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 7am to 9pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day (Erie County) |
| Dogs | Leashed dogs allowed (Erie County) |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No; not stroller or wheelchair accessible (Erie County) |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Managed by | Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry (Chestnut Ridge Park) |
Safety and swimming
Erie County rules say to stay on marked trails and not to climb up or down the ravine or the waterfalls. Other county rules: keep dogs leashed, carry out your trash, and don't bring fires or alcohol.
We could not find an Erie County swimming rule for Shale Creek. Expect slick rock and moving water in the creek bed, and turn back if the route is flooded or icy.
Rescues and past closures
On July 4, 2026, two hikers broke ankles in separate falls on the trail, the Erie County Sheriff's Office said on July 6. SWAT team members rappelled into a ravine to reach one of them.
Sheriff John Garcia said the trail can challenge even experienced hikers. He urged visitors to wear good footwear and know their limits.
The trail closed in May 2020 after two rescues, then reopened, WBFO reported. In July 2015, a teenager died after leaving the marked trail and falling, WIVB reported. Our waterfall safety guide has more general tips.
Where to stay near Eternal Flame Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Orchard Park.
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Photos
Eternal Flame Falls FAQ
Is the Eternal Flame Trail open?
As of late October 2026, Erie County's Chestnut Ridge page posts no trail alert. The park is open year-round, but the county closes the trail at times for ice, as it did in December 2025. Call Erie County Parks at (716) 858-8355 before a winter visit.
How long is the hike to Eternal Flame Falls?
Erie County's ranger-led route is 1.12 miles with about 200 feet of elevation change and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. It's steep in places and partly runs through the creek bed, so wear waterproof shoes.
Has the flame at Eternal Flame Falls ever gone out?
Yes. Wikipedia says the flame is visible nearly year-round but sometimes goes out and is relit, so it may not be burning when you arrive.
Is the eternal flame real?
Yes. It's fed by a natural gas seep in a grotto behind the falls, not by a gas line. A 2013 study by Indiana University and Italy's INGV measured the gas and found it unusually rich in ethane and propane.
Why does Eternal Flame Falls have a flame?
Natural gas seeps from the rock behind the falls. A 2013 study found it is about 35% ethane and propane, and it likely comes from the Rhinestreet Shale about 400 meters down.
Do you need tickets for Eternal Flame Falls?
No. Erie County lists no entry or parking fee for Chestnut Ridge Park, and its 2026 ranger-led hike listing shows no fee. Park at the Eternal Flame lot off Route 277 (Chestnut Ridge Road).
Are there guided hikes to Eternal Flame Falls?
Yes, at times. Erie County Parks ran a ranger-led hike on July 8, 2026 (1.12 miles, 1 to 1.5 hours). Another, set for September 2, 2026, was canceled for weather. No 2027 dates were posted as of late October 2026.
Are dogs allowed on the Eternal Flame Trail?
Yes, on a leash, according to Erie County.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Taughannock FallsNew York · 109 mi straight-lineOpen215FT
Lucifer FallsNew York · 112 mi straight-lineOpen115FT
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls
Sources
Some facts credited to the Erie County come from search-result excerpts of its official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.
- Erie County Parks: Eternal Flame Trail Hike (July 8, 2026)
- Erie County Parks: Eternal Flame trail map (2021 PDF)
- Erie County Parks: Chestnut Ridge (changed Apr 20, 2026; read Oct 28, 2026)
- WKBW: Eternal Flame Trail set to close July 17 for safety and access improvements
- WBFO: Eternal Flame Trail closed at Chestnut Ridge Park (May 24, 2020)
- Wikipedia: Eternal Flame Falls
- Wikipedia: Chestnut Ridge Park
- Erie County Parks: Eternal Flame Trail Hike canceled (Sept 2, 2026)
- Mark Poloncarz on X: Eternal Flame Trail closed for ice (Dec 21, 2025)
- Erie County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff urges caution on Eternal Flame Trail (July 6, 2026)
- WBFO: Sheriff's department stresses caution to hikers at Eternal Flame (July 6, 2026)
- WIVB: fatal fall at Chestnut Ridge Park (July 3, 2015)
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry (Chestnut Ridge Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.