© 2001 Jon Binder

Overview

Ratings (ratings explained)
Power: 6/10
Beauty: 7/10
Ease of Access: 9/10

There are at least four Buttermilk Falls in New York - the one in Buttermilk Glen in Ithaca, one in LeRoy near Rochester, one in the Catskills, and this one, near Long Lake in the Adirondack State Park.

Photos

Cascades above Buttermilk Falls

Directions

From the village of Long Lake, take NYS route 28/30 south for 3 miles to North Point Road (Hamilton County Route 3). This point is 7.7 miles north of the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. There will be a sign here that says "Buttermilk Falls." Turn right (west) onto North Point Road, and follow it for 2.1 miles. On the right will be a sign for Buttermilk Falls, and the parking area. Take the short path to the falls.

Description

This Buttermilk Falls, one of the most visited waterfalls in the Adirondacks, is a short but beautiful falls that is reached by an extremely short, flat walk. The falls itself is not spectacular, but the overall setting of the cascade is extremely pleasant. The entire area is worth exploring.

The path leads from the road to some rocks above the falls. Straight ahead the Raquette River seems to be cascading slightly above you, as the rocks over which the water flows appear higher than the surrounding forest. These cascades are pictured on this page, although the "floating" appearance of the water is not portrayed well in the photo. To get to the base of the main part of the waterfall, walk down to your right on the rocks along the falls. Here, you get a great view of Buttermilk Falls, and its approximately 20 foot main drop. However, I have had trouble getting a good shot from this point; it seems that every time I'm there the lighting does not want to cooperate. There is also a picnic table high above the falls that provides a great place to soak up the sights and sounds. A short walk to the left when you reach the River brings you to a nice view of the flatwater stretch above the falls, at a canoe take out point. The Raquette, the second longest river in New York, is very popular with paddlers.

Even though Buttermilk Falls is usually quite crowded, it is still a wonderful place to visit, because of its great setting and ease of access.

<< Back to the List of New York Waterfalls

Page Last Revised: April 2, 2002