Beautiful location! Only did the hike from the lower falls up and it’s a steep hike up. It’s all mostly stairs so it’s not wheelchair or stroller friendly hiking up. The bottom swimming hole wasn’t open so didn’t experience how it was to swim there. The hike has gorgeous views of the Gorges and the rock formations. This place is definitely highly recommended to visit! It’s amazing!

Like most people we found this place to be delightful. A moderately strenuous walk up steps on one side of the falls was eased by places to stop and rest and look at the falls from different places upstream. Well worth the visit and hike. Go up one side cross over, and then back down the other.

Another beautiful Waterfall in ithcha. Great views but you have to climbs lot of stairs to get to the top. Not very hard though. Swimming was not allowed because of no life guards but there is nice picnic area with tables to relax next to the fall

Excellent hiking (not for handicaps), views are beautiful, the pool was closed for swimming. Its a round path so you can start from any point. Must wear good shoes...

A state park is situated in the finger lakes region with a beautiful waterfall to welcome you and with lots of trails and camping spots. The main waterfall was gushing as it was raining. There are some mains trails like George Trail, Rim Trail.. George Trail has a lot of stairs and the start to it from the State park office is pretty steep. We started ascending the George Trail and used the Rim trail for descending as there were not a lot of people doing this. You get a lots of picturesque spots during the trail.Note: When going here please put the State park office on the location because this is where the waterfall is as well as the parking. The parking ticket is for $9, but is accepted across all NY State parks on that day.

Nice State park to hike, with so many small waterfalls along the way. You can get in the water too. Be ready to climb up the stairs. Make sure you make it to the top.

Walking up this Gorge is absolutely stunning with waterfall after waterfall... a must see if youre coming to the area. Plenty of parking and a $9 entry fee per car, but worth it.

It rained hard the last 2 days so the gorge trail was closed but walking the Rim trail you could see the falls and the gorge in many places. The water was high, deep and crashing thru the gorge.Well maintained trail. Pretty state park.

Beautiful falls. Would be perfect when you could swim. Easily accessible for the physically challenged.

Beautiful falls! I started off with the Gorge trail and made it across a bridge and ended at the Rim trail to make it to the parking lot. That was a lot of walking... All the steps going up and then walking in the woods back down, though it was beautiful, it was painful on the knees

Beautiful day to walk the trail and splash in the water. Well kept park.

Just gorgeous! We started out on the Gorge Trail. There are multiple waterfalls along the trail with outlooks along the way. There are signs warning that there is no swimming but that didn’t stop the dozens of people we saw in the multiple swimming holes. The water is so inviting after the uphill hike (not super difficult and paved in parts) maybe they could not resist. The trail is pretty clean and well-maintained despite the fairly heavy traffic. We came back on the Rim Trail which is a nice little woods hike but not nearly as beautiful as the Gorge Trail. I would not recommend starting on the gorge trail as it is a pretty nonstop uphill climb without a lot of overlooks that are worth the effort, but it’s fairly easy to come back down on.

Gorgeous waterfalls! Only spent a short time here unfortunately, but it was lovely. Too bad there was no swimming allowed today (high amounts of e-coli in the water), the water was very inviting. I went up the gorge trail with my toddler until the little overlook balcony, which took only 10 minutes. Would happily come back!

So first off if your traveling using navigation; put in buttermilk falls Park office, this will bring you to the location closest to the swim area and the larger falls. The Rim trail is also amazing but be prepared for a decent hike this is not just a walk in the woods lol. The swim area is 8ft deep and open when there is a lifeguard on duty. I was a little surprised at the overall depth but there are some stairs to ease your way in. Lots of tables and a larger picnic area up by the lake. The only drawback for me is dogs not being allowed in some places mainly near the falls picnic area

I loved it very beautiful place to go visit. Lots to see you can spend the day there and enjoy yourself

A great park. Make sure you take the gorge path to see all the waterfalls. They are like a dream following each other. Going back is abit hard. Many steps to climb. You could avoid the steps by going back through the Rim trail. You could cross over in the middle using a bridge if you wish to try some uphill steps. Enjoy!

This park was stunning! The trails along the water were magical, the stairs definitely kicked my butt though! The views are well worth the hike!

Absolutely gorgeous!! Starts off with a big beautiful waterfall and more falls as you work up the gorge. Definitely recommend it.

Easy to hike the loop trial from the falls parking area.

I love this place. Every time I visit upstate NY I hike this fall. I start from the bottom which is more challenging than starting from the top. If you start at the top you can hike and not go all the way down to the bottom. You can drive to the bottom and just check out the lower falls with out having to hike.

So large. Beautiful. Clean. I met some dogs there who were very friendly. A lot of walking and trails to discover. Good place to hike. The cash machine wasn’t working so I would make sure you bring a card to pay. Bring water too. And maybe train your body to be able to go up and down hills.

I love this park...I took the steps all the way to the top and hiked down on the other side through the woods.

Lovely place to visit and enjoying beautiful nature and nice hiking 🥾

Amazing hike! Lots of walking space,plenty of parking available too! Gorgeous views the whole way up and down. Many different trails available too! More swimming areas would be amazing though.

Very very nice. The trail was pretty steep on one side(had a hundreds of steps). I took about 2 hours to enjoy and finish the trail. Hiking boots recommended bc it can get a bit slippery and muddy. Beautiful scenery and not crowded at all.

Very steep walk. Very beautiful to

Such a beautiful waterfall and hiking trails. Great place for photos.

Falls are beautiful. Only Primitive camping. The camping spots are very tight together, there are a lot of camping cabins uf interested

Beautiful Falls just south of Ithaca. The hike on a cool, sunny morning was gorgeous.

It’s good place for enjoy . Little bit Trail not very High . Once you enter the park by car you can see the falls .Entry fee $9 but that can be used other park as well .Swim and bath prohibitive but many people take shower .Restroom little bit need to clean .

Drive up and immediately see the falls. Swimming allowed in pool at bottom of falls when lifeguard on duty. Beautiful.

Good close view a fall from many similar falls around Ithaca and Tompkins county. Short hike beside the fall and the river as well. Good spot for picnic, hike and just be merry.

Beautiful falls; midway on the gorge trail is an overlook that provides a lovely view of a Home Depot. (Seriously?! What planning commission lets that happen?) Also, too peoplely.

Lovely park nearby and the sound of waterfalls was beautiful. Its a lovely place.

We only went to the bottom part of the falls and wasn’t able to hike up the top due to the weather. On that day an amber alert was placed for an upcoming squall so we only stayed a short while. Very beautiful none the less. We hope to return during the summer time.

First time and it was awesome!!!beautiful views, fresh air just a wonderful place to enjoy with the family 👪😀❤😊

Very neat place. Unfortunately swimming at bottom of falls was not open when we were there. steep incline up but well worth it.

Absolutely beautiful. Even with the gorge trail closed, the falls are very exciting from the rim trail. The path contains an ascent at the base of the falls, but overall it is a short and sweet walk in the woods.

Unusual looking beautiful chain of waterfalls with long week maintained trail around.

It was a very long walk with a lot of stairs, well worth your energy if you want something to do on the weekend with your Family.

Definitely a must see when coming to the area. Just when you think youve seen it all theres more and more waterfalls

The gorge trail is breathtaking (especially after walking all the stairs). The falls are beautiful, especially after a recent rain. The trails have lots of litter which is the only issue. Take your trash with you!

Very nice place for a picnic 🧺Wish there were trails that arent so steep. Bad knees

Great place for a hike...or too walk up 10,000 stairs...have fun!

Beautiful area, great hiking opportunities, Walmart is 10 min away, I only gave it 4 stars because the new rustic cabins are nice but close together and the neighbors tend to be loud

Beautiful fall colors starting to come in!

Recommend taking Rim trail down and Gorge trail up if u park at upper falls.

Love this park. It’s a fairly moderate high: can be done fairly quickly and with multiple options for where to start and stop a hike and which trail to choose.It’s hilly, like Ithaca is want to be, so be prepared for an ascent at some point unless you enter at the base and picnic there with no hike.

This was a beautiful park with so much to see and my pictures do not do it justice!! I was too busy looking around and enjoying the sites to take the proper pictures!! There is a parking lot that you can pay to park in but there are also free parking lots in the second entrance to the park. There are many trails and beautiful sites to see there!! I 100% recommend this park to anyone looking for a nice place to walk or hang out or picnic!!

Wow! Best falls I hiked up there during our week stay!

The waterfall was flowing very heavily while we were there. Great place for a quick visit, a picnic or a hike.

I don’t know how much to talk about this falls. If you are a beginner. Just drive to bottom of the falls and enjoy. If you are a moderate and pro hike then start at the top of Indian trail down to buttermilk falls. There are many stops along the way for photo ops. Though swimming is not allowed, there are places where you can swim. Climbing up the steps can be a little tough. Take breaks, get sufficient amount of water, snacks if you like. Water is a must. Rim trail offers another side of view and its strenuous hike.

Very nice area and trails.

So beautiful and more. Please go there youll be amazed and well pleased.

A beautiful place.

Beautiful cascading waterfall! The Gorge Trail hike from the base is challenging with lots of steps but worth the effort with changing views of the water flowing. We returned to the base via the Rim Trail which has steep downhill sections. The park map does not indicate the difficulty of the trails.These trails are challenging and may present difficulties for those who are not fit, elderly or small children.

Very beautiful area with a very strong waterfall that makes for a gorgeous park visit. There were not lifeguards on duty the day we went so no swimming but looks like it would be a great place to take kids on a hot day.

What a beautiful and colorful place.At the beginning my family and I were disappointed because swimming wasnt allowed on the lower falls, however retribution came quick when we began the hike to the higher falls and encounter so many beautiful swimming holes.The hike can be a bit strenuous but not extremely long.Will go back next summer.

Gorgeous waterfall. Its definitely a hike up to get to the top, it keeps going and going.

Wonderful experience. Early morning in the summer is the best time!

Its so majestic here! You can, and should, take a picture of these falls, but a picture doesnt do them justice.

Would definitely recommend visiting here. It is a lot of fun to bomb the hill leading to the camp grounds on a bicycle. The hike is an awesome view.

Absolutely gorgeous. Ive been coming here since I was a kid. If you enjoy hiking and waterfalls then this is the place for you.

If you want to get away from the crowded and constantly rushing NYC for a while - for example, spend a weekend in the wild - spend 4 hours and go to the city of Ithaca (Finger Lake Region) and hide there in Buttermilk Falls State Park ... and you will sweat on the ascents, but believe me - what you see at the top will compensate you for this effort ... You can even rent a small Cabbin (attention! without electricity !!!) and spend the night in State Park in amazing SILENCE ... !!! And if you want to go there, be sure to take road No. 17 ... You will feel as if you are going to the south of Europe and approaching the foothills of the Alps ... WONDERFUL ...! * Small tip: 1. At Buttermilk Falls St.P. drive to the parking lot in the vicinity of the park management and start hijking from there. 2. If you dont like to spend a lot of money on tools, go back to NYC on Route 17 and continue on Route 6 - Bear Mountains Bridge direction - E-Zpass $ 1.35 only ( instead $18 at GWB + huge trafic ... ) and on the other side of Hudson River wonderful views , serpentines like in the mountains and completely free access to the city by Taconic Parkway ...

Gorgeous, scenic trails. Highly recommend.

Unbelievable experience.. Nature rocks at this place!We took the Gorge Trail with a 8 year old and 2 year old.. It was a great hit.. The entire trail was pleasing for the eyes with great views of the water falls, caves, pools.. We did find a nice spot to jump into the water and get wet in the waterfalls.. Overall a must visit in fingerlakes area. We will return here for sure!

Wonderful way to spend your day. The falls are breathtaking. The trail is currently one way and the hike up is a bit tough, but doable for someone who exercises regularly. Just take your time..it is worth all the effort. You will be greeted with many cascading waterfalls. Plenty of places to chill and enjoy. Pack a lunch and stay a while. Coming down is all stairs. So if you have knee issues this could be a problem. I highly recommend visiting this park. Happy Trails!

Great short hike for any ability. I like that there are two trail options so you can do a loop (gorge trail and rim trail). Gorges and waterfalls are beautiful. Parking is good for the day at ALL parks so the $9 is acceptable. Bathrooms are clean. Nice little playground by the lot as well.

Cool water fall it was a tall cascade

Beautiful hike up the gorge, then an easy walk back on the Rim Trail.

Very pretty place to walk around or just chill. Honestly, I found it very odd that there were no trash cans anywhere and that probably explained why there seem to be a lot of trash lying around. You would think for the entry fee that they would put some trash cans up. Just saying....

Awesome campsites and close to town if your forget anything(:

Here for my best friends wedding. Absolutely beautiful.

I love coming here with the family! Buttermilk Falls is perfect for kids and whole family. Canyons are breathtaking I must say. A must see on the outdoor bucket list.

Beautiful falls! Restrooms were clean. It looks like you can swim at the bottom of the falls when a lifeguard is on duty. Lots of families and its dog friendly! The actual falls are right off the parking lot. There is a set of steps going right up the side of the falls. So hiking trails are here too.

This place is amazing because only so many people do the hike to the top to get back down to enjoy the hidden gems such as the small natural swimming pools. There are areas to cliff jump which is probably not recommended and I would highly recommend knowing your depth before jumping into them. The water is extremely refreshing during the hot summer times and it’s extremely beautiful in general. You would never guess you were in New York of all places. Truly a gorgeous place to hike, swim and enjoy nature at its finest. The hike is strenuous for the average person and I recommend a good pair of footwear with excellent traction. Bring plenty of fluids and take breaks when you need to. The hike all around the falls took me roughly 2 hours and that included stopping at most of the swimming holes to jump in and swim around.

Just a beautiful place to relax and enjoy. After 6:00 PM in summer you can park for free. You cannot swim, no lifeguard, but it does not get dark until 8:30 PM, so a nice spot to hang around, listen to the flow of water or read a book / tablet. Some nice trails, but spots can be steep. In the wooded trails it will become dark earlier, so plan accordingly. Bathrooms are available, and a small shed with bottled drinks to buy (from machines). Even up to at least 7:00 PM, the gate house is occupied, so maps, brochures and a person to ask questions to is available.

So beautiful. Take a nice hike on the trails then cool off with a swim at the bottom of the falls 🥰

Not much of hike ! Serene place to relax n enjoy nature

Easy after the first 270 steps. Gorgeous!

Wonderful walk! Very relaxing

Absolutely breathtaking views. We enjoyed the little climb of the trail and follow the way down. The fall color painted the falls is astonishing!

Hiking trails are awesome. Stand under the water fall after a steep hike...

An easy access family swimming hole. Also some picnic and walking trails. As the saying goes about Ithaca... Ithaca is Gorges I think there are 5 gorges/ waterfalls easy to see & appreciate in & around the city. The trail to the top of Buttermilk Falls is steep... but there are other flatter trails close by if that is your thing to do.

Buttermilk falls is fantastic. Many different routes depending on your ability. Currently, the rim trail is one way up and the gorge trail is one way down. Id recommend starting at the bottom off Elmira road and taking the rim trail.After about 3/4 of a mile is your first option for a turnaround by way of the bridge. The rest of the hike up to king road is quite easy though (you already did the hardest climbing!), so Id recommend continuing then crossing the King Road bridge and taking the gorge trail back down. The loop all the way up to King Road is 2 miles.If youre looking for more than 2 miles, for a 6 mile loop you can continue up through the upper park, starting on the road and then moving off the road to the right when you spot the trail. Continue along the road up to Treman Lake and take that loop, then come back down and take the Bear Trail down to the gorge trail to finish up.At the top of Treman Lake is a stone bridge. For a quick as easy adventure, go up into the gorge above the bridge and see signs really nice rock formations and a little, neat waterfall.

I highly recommend this place. Beautiful waterfallsGreat for hiking and exercise we stay for three days on a tent and it was only $76. We definitely have to come back next year!!

It’s a short hike but very pretty . So take a hike , enjoy and watch your step . Someone fell walking in the falls , and emergency came so half of trail was closed for approximately an hour , which was very inconvenient. So we waited . Other than that , I recommend. Kids and family friendly. Will come back in hot summer again since swimming was closed .

I visited late in the afternoon. It was breathtaking.

Nice scenic area. Can swim here sometimes. Picnic. Hike.

Loved this place. Gorge trail has a seemingly endless supply of excellent waterfall views. My photos dont do it justice, but here are some anyway.

Travel up to Lucifer Falls requires energy and stamina. LOTS of stairs!But well worth the hike. The Gorge trail (w/gorge on left when ascending) is beautiful. The ecosystem changes - areas with wild flowers appear for a while as you ascend.

Beautiful gorge filled with cascades of water, impressive cliffs and stone, and great trails to view from multiple angles. Note during Covid, the gorge trail is one-way, starting at the top end and exiting at the lower parking area.

Great place to see waterfalls along well maintained trails. We went on a perfect Summer day and the park was relatively crowded but still enjoyable. The views, the Gorge and Rim trails are well worth the trip.

Beautiful gorge trail with lots of steps, but so worth it!

Overall, this was my favorite experience in the Ithaca area. Its a good hike and although the public swimming part was closed, we did find some swimming holes in the gorge. Just ignore the sign that says you will get a ticket and jump on in! P.S. watch out for snakes if you hike around the lake there.

As soon as you enter the park, you can see the falls. Good for elderly people on our group. The others walked up the trail and caught some awesome views of the falls

Buttermilk Falls is a beautiful hike.There are many smaller waterfalls to be seen on the trail. The hike in is all uphill, but worth it.Thank you Governor Cuomo for keeping the state parks open.

The falls are really easy to get to and are extremely beautiful! The only reason for 4 and not 5 stars is the trickle of water coming down the falls. A function of the season I am sure...

Love the snow squalls that create an excellent exciting atmosphere

This place is fantastic! An absolute must see. The gorge has stunning rock formations and nice clean water. Don’t be afraid to jump right in. It says no swimming but they don’t seem to enforce it. So if someone breaks their neck they can’t sue. The rocks can be very slippery so be extra careful. If you’re worried about COVID then stay home. There is a designated swim spot at the bottom but it’s a little stagnant and cloudy there with a lot of kids. Nice picnic spot though. If you’re in the area don’t miss this natural wonder. To save some time and for an easier hike park in the upper lot and walk down the gorge trail. 8 bucks to park is a bargain for a great day.