city guide

The best waterfalls in Ithaca

A hand-picked guide to 1 of the most stunning waterfalls in Ithaca. Each entry below has our personal notes, photos, driving directions and the practical detail you need to plan a visit — from parking and hike lengths to swimming rules and the best time of year to go.

#1 · 50 m drop

Buttermilk Falls

Ithaca · New York · United States

Download Interactive Maps

Buttermilk Falls — heroButtermilk Falls — photo 2

On the second day of a Memorial Day long weekend trip in Upstate New York, after being completely amazed by the waterfall gorge at Watkins Glen, I still felt like I hadn’t had enough and decided to continue chasing waterfalls before sunset.

Find Geological Maps

I headed back near Ithaca and visited Buttermilk Falls. I did the Gorge Trail Loop, which is about 1.8 miles and takes a little over an hour.

Compared to Watkins Glen, Buttermilk Falls had far fewer visitors, but in my opinion the waterfall and gorge scenery are just as impressive. It was a huge surprise and definitely worth recommending.

Waterfall canyon
Safety first

Stay safe at every waterfall

Wet rocks, hidden currents and fast-changing weather catch out experienced hikers every year. Read our quick safety guide before you head out.

Read safety tips
Discover more
Download Interactive Maps
Find Geological Maps
Explore Botanic Gardens