Buttermilk Falls
Ithaca, New York · on Buttermilk Creek · Buttermilk Falls State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- creek
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls State Park is a New York State-operated park just southwest of Ithaca, built around Buttermilk Creek's namesake cascade and gorge. The park maintains an official, lifeguard-staffed natural swimming hole near the base of the falls, open on a limited seasonal schedule each summer.
The park sits in a steep gorge cut into Devonian shale and sandstone southwest of Ithaca, formed by Buttermilk Creek over roughly the last 20,000-30,000 years. It contains ten waterfalls in total, with the main Buttermilk Falls cascade at its center, along with pools, sculpted rock, and a formation known as Pinnacle Rock along the gorge.
Swimming at Buttermilk Falls
Swimming takes place in a designated, lifeguard-staffed natural pool area within the park (fed by Buttermilk Creek) rather than freely throughout the gorge; NYS Parks explicitly states swimming is not guaranteed and can close due to water quality, weather, or lifeguard staffing, with the swim area having been closed for water-quality issues as of late July 2026.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Trailhead parking exists at the park, but NYS Parks warns of reported vehicle break-ins/thefts there and advises securing valuables.
The hike in
The park's natural pool sits in the lower park next to the campground and main/lower parking area, so no hike is needed to reach it. A separate scenic Gorge Trail climbs about 600 ft in elevation from near the falls up past sculpted pools and the 42-ft 'Pinnacle Rock' feature to the upper park (Lake Treman/Buttermilk Creek area) via the Upper Entrance, but this is a bonus hike for sightseeing, not a route to the swimming area.
NYS Parks describes the Gorge Trail as tough for some visitors due to a long series of stone steps; exact one-way mileage was not published on the pages retrieved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
NYS Parks staffs the natural pool with lifeguards during open hours, which supports families, but it's a gorge-cut creek pool (not a sandy beach) with surrounding rock and the flowing falls above, and the park explicitly warns swimming is never guaranteed (can close for water quality, weather, or staffing). Supervise closely and check current conditions before visiting.
Parking
Paid, $10 vehicle day-use fee ($35 for buses), collected April 1-Nov 30, 6am-6:30pm; an $80/year Empire Pass covers unlimited day-use visits
NYS Parks warns that vehicle break-ins have been reported at trailhead/lower-park parking and advises not leaving valuables visible.
Restrooms
Yes
Showers are listed among park amenities in the lower day-use/campground area near the pool; exact restroom building locations and whether they are flush or vault style were not specified on the official park pages found.
Hours
Park (grounds) open dawn to dusk year-round. The staffed swimming pool itself runs a separate, shorter seasonal schedule: roughly July 3 through mid-August, 11am-7pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and select weekdays depending on lifeguard staffing.
On the water
No watercraft/boating information was found for the swimming pool or Buttermilk Creek within the park itself. NYS Parks references a small lake (Lake Treman) accessible from the Upper Entrance but does not publish kayak/canoe rules for it on the pages available. Nearby Cayuga Lake, about 4-9 miles away in the Ithaca area, does have public kayak/canoe/paddleboard rental access (see rentals).
Rentals nearby
Single or tandem kayak, canoe (at the Myers Park location), and paddleboard rentals; each rental includes a paddle, PFD, and launch assistance
Cayuga Lake at Myers Park, Lansing, NY (Ithaca area, roughly 5-9 miles from Buttermilk Falls State Park) · Seasonal only, reopening Memorial Day weekend through fall; daily hours vary with weather and staff availability, so the operator directs customers to its online reservation system for current times
Backstory
The park's original 164 acres were donated by Robert and Laura Treman in 1924; it has since grown to 811 acres.
Buttermilk Falls: FAQ
Does Buttermilk Falls charge a fee?
Vehicle day-use entry $10 (buses $35), collected April 1-November 30, 6am-6:30pm; Empire Pass ($80/year) grants unlimited day-use access.
Is Buttermilk Falls kid friendly?
NYS Parks staffs the natural pool with lifeguards during open hours, which supports families, but it's a gorge-cut creek pool (not a sandy beach) with surrounding rock and the flowing falls above, and the park explicitly warns swimming is never guaranteed (can close for water quality, weather, or staffing). Supervise closely and check current conditions before visiting.
Do I need to hike to reach Buttermilk Falls?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Buttermilk Falls?
NYS Parks warns that vehicle break-ins have been reported at trailhead/lower-park parking and advises not leaving valuables visible.
When is the best time to visit Buttermilk Falls?
Summer; the swimming area typically opens around July 3 and frequently closes by mid-August, running Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and select weekdays depending on lifeguard staffing. The broader park is open dawn to dusk year-round.
What are the rules at Buttermilk Falls?
Maximum 2 pets per visitor, must be leashed (6 ft or less) or crated; pets are prohibited on beaches, in playgrounds, and in buildings. Handguns are prohibited; bow hunting for deer is permitted only in designated sections during season.
What water body is Buttermilk Falls on?
Buttermilk Falls is on Buttermilk Creek, a natural creek verified in USGS hydrography data.
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