Buttermilk Falls State Park facts for kids

Buttermilk Falls State Park is a cool place to visit near Ithaca, New York. It's a big park, about 811 acres (3.3 square kilometers)! This park is famous for its amazing waterfalls, especially the main one, Buttermilk Falls. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures and exploring nature.

Quick facts for kids Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls, May 2005
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Type	State park
Location	112 East Buttermilk Falls Road Ithaca, New York
Nearest city	Ithaca, New York
Area	811 acres (3.28 km2)
Created	1924 (1924)
Operated by	New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Visitors	197,981 (in 2014)
Website	Buttermilk Falls State Park

A Look Back at Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls got its name because the water looks like frothy, churning buttermilk! Imagine a thick, foamy stream pouring over rocks. That's what people saw back in 1866.

The park started as a gift to New York State in 1924. Robert and Laura Treman gave 164 acres (0.66 square kilometers) of land. Over the years, the state bought more land. This helped the park grow to its current size of 811 acres.

You might hear about a "Buttermilk Falls" in an old diary from the Revolutionary War. But that's a different place! It refers to a spot near Highland Falls in the Hudson Valley, not the park near Ithaca.

Exploring Buttermilk Falls State Park

Buttermilk Falls State Park has lots to see and do! There are actually 10 waterfalls in total. The main one, Buttermilk Falls, is the most famous.

The park offers many fun activities. You can swim at the beach or stay in cabins. Fishing is allowed, and there are special nature trails to explore. The park also has playgrounds and fields for games. If you like camping, there are spots for tents and trailers.

Awesome Hiking Trails

The park has several great trails for hiking. The Gorge Trail follows Buttermilk Creek. As you walk, the creek drops about 600 feet (180 meters) down the gorge. It's a beautiful walk!

On the other side of the creek is the Rim Trail. If you combine the Gorge Trail and the Rim Trail, you can make a loop that's about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long.

Beyond these, the Bear Trail continues up Buttermilk Creek. This trail leads to Lake Treman Falls and Lake Treman. The walk to and around the lake is another 1.5 miles. A part of the longer Finger Lakes Trail also connects here.

Another trail is the Larch Trail. This trail circles a marsh near the main parking area. It's about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long.

Gallery

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  Falls of Buttermilk State Park

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  Foaming cascade of Buttermilk Falls

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  Falls in the Upper Gorge