Buttermilk Falls State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 9, 2025
Buttermilk Falls State Park is located near Ithaca, New York, and is a popular destination for hiking, swimming, and picnicking.
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Summary
The park is named after the picturesque falls located within its boundaries, which cascade down a series of rocky ledges and plunge into a natural pool below.
Some of the top reasons to visit Buttermilk Falls State Park include the beautiful scenery, diverse hiking trails, and opportunities for swimming and relaxation. The park offers more than 10 miles of well-maintained trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also cool off in the park's natural swimming areas, which are fed by the falls and offer refreshing respite on hot summer days.
Other points of interest within the park include the Upper Buttermilk Falls, which are located upstream from the main falls and offer a quieter, more secluded setting for picnics and relaxation. Visitors can also explore the park's many gorges and waterfalls, which offer a unique look at the region's geological history and natural beauty.
Interesting facts about Buttermilk Falls State Park include the fact that the park was first established in 1924, and was one of the first state parks in the region. The park's falls were formed by glacial activity during the last Ice Age, and have been a popular attraction for centuries.
The best time of year to visit Buttermilk Falls State Park depends on individual preferences, but many visitors choose to come during the summer months when the swimming areas are open and the weather is warm. Spring and fall can also be beautiful times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter visits are possible, but trails may be snow-covered and access to certain areas may be limited.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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