THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED IN WINTER. That’s not the only impressive thing you’ll see during your visit. 42.417017, -76.521826 42.409313, -76.512128. Best nearby. (Ithaca, NY): The Gorge Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park will be opening this weekend, Saturday May 30th at 8 a.m. with some important changes in response to Covid-19. This ascent is steep in places and is by far the hardest part of the hike on the Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park. There is an $8 admission fee per vehicle that is charged from 4/20 through 10/20. You can hike the Gorge Trail which follows the cool, moist gorge past deep pools, water-sculpted rocks including "Pinnacle Rock" and several waterfalls. your own Pins on Pinterest Cascadilla Gorge in Ithaca. From here, the Gorge Trail follows Buttermilk Creek as it winds its way up the hillside. 112 Buttermilk Falls Rd E, Ithaca, NY 14850-8741. After about half a mile, you’ll come to a bridge over Buttermilk Creek. The effects of these glaciers can be seen in the multiple waterfalls that cascade down along the various creeks and streams as they make their way to Cayuga Lake through the gorges and gullies of the Finger Lakes region. Buttermilk Falls: Gorge and Rim Trail Loop is a 1.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ithaca, New York that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Wegmans (269) 1.5 mi $ See all. Water Source. There is an easy mile-long Gorge Trail within the park that leads to a stunning view of the falls. Get Directions. Jul 21, 2015 - Hiking gorges in Ithaca, NY Buttermilk Falls State Park Loving these waterfall swimming holes Closest Geolocated Address: 111 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA Location Lat/Long: 42.416542, -76.521851 Looking for more places to visit nearby? From here you begin hiking into the heart of the gorge following Buttermilk Creek to a bridge where you can turn around or continue exploring. This is a beautiful forest trail and offers the chance to experience another aspect of this scenic region, but there’s nothing of note to be seen along the trail. Check out Ithaca Falls, Waverly Glen Falls, the Corning Museum of Glass, and Wells Falls. With over 150 waterfalls including Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, & Enfield Glen at Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca waterfalls are a must see! Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail; Buttermilk Falls Lake Treman Trail; Buttermilk Falls Rim Trail; Buttermilk Falls Gorge Connector Trail; Trailhead GPS Coordinates. Visit the park and hit the trail to view these falls, accessible via a network of hiking paths that give you clear views of the waterways. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping, and nature trips and is best used from May until September. Excellent trail to take back from the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail to make a 2 mile loop; otherwise, this is a 2 mile out-and-back trail. In fact, while there are many fantastic waterfalls near Ithaca, there aren’t any waterfalls that are as easy to reach as the impressive Buttermilk Falls. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. To allow hikers the ability to maintain safe social distancing, and due to the narrow nature of these popular trails, the loops will be available to hiked in one direction only. While I tend to find plunge waterfalls like the nearby Taughannock Falls more impressive, the size of Buttermilk Falls makes this an incredibly beautiful spot. At some spots, the trail passes above the waterfalls, which are hidden deep in crevices in the rock. Buttermilk Falls was named for the frothy appearance of its churning waters. Parking Locations. Taughannock Falls State Park is located on the Western flank of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. 60 Other Attractions within 5 miles. Fortunately, this is an easy bridge and the water below it is shallow, but be careful crossing the bridge, especially with young children. At the base of Buttermilk Falls, there is a deep and clear pool that is open for swimming during the summer months. NOTE: Get Directions uses Geolocator for closest known address. While most of the waterfalls along the Gorge Trail are relatively small, the chasm, chutes, and pools that the creek has carved into the rock are truly magnificent. We found parking easily on a Sunday late morning and did the whole loop (including east of College Ave) and explored Cornell's campus too. English: Upper Gorge, Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca, NY. Latitude: 42.39292 Longitude: -76.510638. The first, nearly 90 feet in height, lies beside the trail that ascends quickly away from the swimming area. As you hike up beside the falls and along the gorge trail, there are several waterfalls to see. When traveling through New York, there is no better place to see beautiful waterfalls within such a small radius. Overall, while the main highlight of Buttermilk Falls State Park is Buttermilk Falls, and you could certainly stop here for 10 minutes and leave, the Gorge Trail is a short hike that’s definitely worth taking the time to complete. While the trail continues uphill, you are past the most difficult part of the hike, though make sure to exercise caution on any wet rocks as they might be slippery. This is one of five trails featured in the park that wander through a remarkable variety of landscapes. The main parking area for Buttermilk Falls State Park is located two miles south of downtown Ithaca and mere steps from the base of Buttermilk Falls. Buttermilk Falls State Park is located two miles south of downtown Ithaca along Elmira Route (Route 13 and 96) in Tompkins County, New York. It's also super easy. Part of the Buttermilk Falls State Park trail network. That’s right – even greater than Niagara Falls! It was a very easy walk along the gorge, and the path was really wide. Gorge-Rim Trail Loop Buttermilk Falls State Park, New York. We also take a quick tour of the CCC trail and exhibits in the Old Mill at Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca, NY. Buttermilk Creek drops 600 feet as it plunges through a gorge down the eastern slope of the Cayuga Valley at the southernmost edge of the City of Ithaca. Purity Ice Cream Co (647) 2.1 mi $ American. There are several parking areas in the park, but the best one for the falls and Gorge Trail is the lower parking lot at the following coordinates: 42.417128, … The Gorge Trail is 0.65 miles long and starts at the base of Buttermilk Fall. Cross the bridge over Buttermilk Creek, and take a left onto the Rim Trail to head back towards the parking area. © Copyright - 2019-2020 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, Find more things to do in the Finger Lakes, Climbing the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Near Rochester, Hiking the Amazing Cascadilla Gorge in Ithaca, New York, How to Get to Taughannock Falls near Ithaca, New York, How to Get to Aunt Sarah’s Falls Near Watkins Glen. Part of the Buttermilk Falls State Park trail network, Use of firearms for deer hunting is not allowed. If you are visiting in the summer, but aren’t planning to swim, I’d definitely get here early to avoid the crowds. Discover (and save!) BE SAFE: See the specific trail owner/steward’s website for the most up to date details, http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/ButtermilkFallsTrailMap.pdf. Our visit to Ithaca, New York with a hike through Buttermilk Falls State Park. Buttermilk Falls State Park is a 811-acre (3.28 km 2) state park located southwest of Ithaca, New York, United States. History. The Buttermilk Falls Rim Trail is a short 1 mile one-way hike downhill from West King rd to the Buttermilk Falls parking lot. Lower park entrance is first and upper park entrance is further along NY … The trail then proceeds to climb along the side of Buttermilk Falls, offering some great views of the waterfall, before heading into the woods. Google Maps will direct you to the Lower park entrance where you begin at the bottom and climb your way up along the Gorge Trail. Buttermilk Falls. Buttermilk Falls State Park is really beautiful, and so far, has surpassed the larger parks like Watkins Glen, on my own personal preference list. While this is a shortcut to the Rim Trail, I definitely recommend continuing the hike as leaving the trail here will make you miss out on the last two waterfalls on this portion of the gorge trail, which come shortly after the bridge. See more of our episodes of Walk in the Park. The trail is mostly a stone path which has several strenuous stair climbs. Ithaca, NY. Ithaca is GORGES! Buttermilk Falls State Park is located a few miles south of Ithaca in New York’s Finger Lakes. Buttermilk Falls State Park, just a short distance southwest of Ithaca’s Cayuga Lake, protects towering waterfalls and multi-tiered cascades, the wooded glen of an ice-age gorge, the clear water of Lake Treman, and the mixed woods and wildflowers of Larch Meadows—truly a highlight of New York’s Finger Lakes Region. Follow these trails, which range from 1.2 km (0.75 mi) to 2.4 km (1.5 mi), down through the valley and alongside the falls themselves. Beyond those two waterfalls, the gorge begins to open up, and at about two-thirds of a mile from the base of Buttermilk Falls, you’ll come to a roadway. From the parking area, it’s less than 100 yards to the base of Buttermilk Falls and the start of the Gorge Trail. While you could simply view Buttermilk Falls from below and leave, the Gorge Trail above the main waterfall is well worth taking the time to hike. There are several parking areas in the park, but the best one for the falls and Gorge Trail is the lower parking lot at the following coordinates: 42.417128, -76.521140. Bow hunting may be allowed. Date: 19 July 2019, 10:22:03: Source: Own work: Author : Cornellrockey: Camera location: View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap - Google Earth: Licensing. This shouldn't be a … MIX Kitchen and Bar (383) 1.3 mi $$ - $$$ Fusion. In this episode (73), he concludes his story about the CCC in the Great Depression at Taughannock Falls, Newtown Battlefield, Fillmore Glen, and Fair Haven Beach State Parks. The Gorge Trail starts to the right at the base of the last cascading waterfall you see as you enter the park. Jim Cheney is the creator of Uncovering New York. Taughannock Falls State Park, west of Cayuga Lake, features the biggest gorge in Ithaca, NY! At the end of the last ice age, as the glaciers receded, the ice carved out the beautiful topography of the Finger Lakes Region. It’s impossible to see every waterfall that Ithaca has to offer in a day, but make Cascadilla Gorge a priority! The gorge trail basically mimics this climb/descent. Get Directions. Trail locations and conditions may change and not be reflected on this site. Ithaca, NY. While it might not be able to compete with the gorges at places like Watkins Glen State Park or Stony Brook State Park, it’s still an incredibly beautiful part of the Finger Lakes. The Rim Trail is a relatively easy trail, though it does feature a few inclines and declines as it makes its way back to the base of Buttermilk Falls. By Debi Bower. [Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]. Parking Lot : NY-13 S/NY-34 S/NY-96 S/Elmira Rd, 3 miles south of Ithaca (Lower/Main Park Trailhead). While crowds can definitely be an issue here in the summer, the concrete barrier built around the pool makes it incredibly easy to get to a variety of vantage points for viewing or photographing the waterfall. Ithaca Falls – Ithaca, NY . Double check directions prior to the start of your journey. The trail ends along West King … Parking Locations Multiple parking options may be specific to certain trails within this site. Helpful Links: 112 E. Buttermilk Falls Rd., Ithaca, NY … The portion of the trail east of College Ave doesn't have any falls, so if that's what you came for, you could skip that portion. State Parks. The upper park has a small lake, hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge and rim. Website +1 607-273-5761. Main Entrance (directions ... Buttermilk Falls, tumbles down striated gorge rock in two distinct drops. You could also return the way you came, which would be a slightly shorter trek, but the Gorge Trail is fairly narrow, and it might be a bit difficult to pass people on a busy day in the park. The waterfall in the state park is the tallest in New York State! Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca is the largest of the 10 falls along Buttermilk Creek and allows for trail hiking, swimming, camping and is pet-friendly. In fact, the waterfall can be seen while driving into the park without leaving your car. 222 Restaurants within 5 miles. Buttermilk Falls State Park takes its name from the foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake. If you enjoy camping but would like additional amenities in a rustic setting, our cabins offer a little more space, comfort and privacy. In fact, if you want to see a frozen waterfall in the Finger Lakes, this is a great choice since it’s so easy to reach. Latitude: 42.4165 Longitude: -76.521277. It’s interesting peering down into the pools and imaging how deep they must be and marveling at the color of the water. There are a few different trails, and we took the Gorge trail along the creek to the base of the falls. After spending 5.5 years exploring Pennsylvania, Jim discovered a love for New York and is excited to spend time exploring this great state and uncovering the best things to do here. The top of the falls is fairly narrow, and the waterfall gets wider as it descends, sliding along the rocks the entire time. Lower Gorge Access ... falls nearly 400 feet from the College Avenue Stone Arch Bridge on the Cornell campus to the Treman Triangle Park in Ithaca. Parking Lot : NY 13, 5 miles south of Ithaca, on NY 327. It wasn’t crowded at all when we were there, but it was nice that the trail had so much space so we didn’t have to worry about passing by others. Like Robert H. Treman State Park, a portion of the land that was to become the state park came from Robert and Laura Treman in 1924. Buttermilk Falls State Park is located two miles south of downtown Ithaca along Elmira Route (Route 13 and 96) in Tompkins County, New York. Once you get to the crest of the hill, there are great views of both the hidden upper portion of Buttermilk Falls and the valley looking out over the main drop of the waterfall. Once you reach the bridge you can either keep going toward the upper park entrance, turn around and walk back along the Gorge Trail, or … Robert Treman State Park (1,298) 1.7 mi. From the parking area, it’s less than 100 yards to the best view of this impressive waterfall. Combining the Gorge Trail with the Rim Trail creates a beautiful 1.5-mile hike through the park and past many of its waterfalls. This 800-acre park is one of the region’s most popular spots thanks to the impressive 165-foot waterfall for which the park is named. Combined with the Rim Trail, it makes for a really nice loop hike that is approximately 1.5 miles long. Made possible by a grant from the Tompkins County Tourism Program. Cascadilla Gorge. This is a park not to be missed and there are lots of picnic areas in the park for day use. The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, New York is a difficult 1 mile one-way trail that runs leads past Buttermilk Falls and runs along a scenic creek with multi-tiered cascading waterfalls. Parking Lot : NY-13 S/NY-34 S/NY-96 S/Elmira Rd, 3 miles south of Ithaca (Lower/Main Park Trailhead). There are also picnic areas, a swimming area and playing fields. Go to the trail owner/steward's site for the most up to date information about trails. 42.443045, -76.494451 42.442594, -76.484986. The trail features several large cascading falls around every corner. Named for the impressive cascade that pours from Buttermilk Creek, the main waterfall is at the bottom of a beautiful gorge cut by erosion after glaciers receded from Central New York. The second is visible just above the first from a handsomely built stone-lookout. Buttermilk Falls is a fan waterfall that features two drops (though only one is easily visible from the base of the falls). The Gorge Trail closes to the public during the winter months, but it’s possible to access the base of Buttermilk Falls throughout the year. Between Taughannock, Buttermilk, and dozens of others, you could spend every weekend exploring Ithaca’s waterfalls. There is probably no waterfall name more common than “Buttermilk Falls.” However, there is only one Buttermilk Falls State Park in New York and it’s home to one of the most impressive roadside waterfalls in the region. Buttermilk Falls is located south of Ithaca in Buttermilk Falls ... continue above Buttermilk Falls as there are nine more scenic waterfalls upstream of the main falls. Trailhead GPS Coordinates. The trail starts by crossing Buttermilk Creek below the pool on a bridge with no railings. Cornell University (711) 3.5 mi. Jun 6, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Ken Potter. At the color of the water two distinct drops region of Upstate New York during your visit are waterfalls. Impossible to see Ithaca Falls, the waterfall in the Park Locations and conditions may change not... S Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York rock in two distinct drops Tompkins County Tourism Program specific certain. When traveling through New York with a hike through Buttermilk Falls is a not. 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