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Buttermilk Falls State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 6,036 Google reviews · Running trail in Ithaca, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Buttermilk Falls State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
811-acres of wooded parkland featuring hiking paths, a lake, waterfall & campgrounds.
What runners say about Buttermilk Falls State Park
“This is a nice well-kept state park much like many of the New York State parks we visited.”
“There is easy access to the lower falls for everyone and beautiful views just a short hike up the steep sides of the falls.”
Beauty around every corner. The gorge trail starts with a ton of stairs, but there are 2 falls just on the way up. The climb is worth the view. There are multiple falls along the trail all relatively close giving you amazing photo opportunities.
This is a nice well-kept state park much like many of the New York State parks we visited. Unfortunately at the time we visited (early August 2025), there wasn’t enough rain in the past few days which resulted in just a trickle to be seen on the main falls.
Whew! This was a doozy. It is absolutely stunning and if you don’t want to walk a million steps uphill then you can just view it from the base. There is a little park next door where you can park for a bit cheaper and walk on over.
I did the gorge trail all the way to the bear trail which I haven’t finished because of lack of directions , but the gorge trail will cover all the waterfalls and is very moderate hiking if you are just fit enough .
Trail conditions & character
“There is easy access to the lower falls for everyone and beautiful views just a short hike up the steep sides of the falls.”
“If you don’t have time there’s a big waterfall that you can enjoy 5 minutes walk from the parking lot and back .”
“There is easy access to the lower falls for everyone and beautiful views just a short hike up the steep sides of the falls.”
“There is a swimming area at the bottom of the falls right near the parking area and restrooms.”
Plan your run at Buttermilk Falls State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteparks.ny.gov
- Phone+1 607-273-5761
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–7:30 pm |
Running trails near Ithaca
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Gorge Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 414 reviews
Steep 0.65-mi. hiking trail along a gorge with dramatic rock formations, waterfalls & pools.
Mulholland Wildflower Preserve
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Designated in 1970, this nature park offers trails, waterfalls, rock formations & wildlife viewing.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,279 reviews
Part of the Cornell Plantations Path, this walkway offers views of the the gorge & its waterfall.