Buttermilk Falls State Park in New York.

Buttermilk Falls State Park: Rim and Gorge Trail

The Rim and Gorge Loop is a moderate hike in Buttermilk Falls State Park near Ithaca, New York. The trailhead is located near the park office. The hike is a 1.7-mile loop with about 450 feet of elevation gain. This hike is great for kids and dogs, but the furry ones must be on a leash.

Hiking the Rim and Gorge Loop in Buttermilk Falls

My wife and I have hiked this trail a few times. The last time, we spent the night camping in the park. Heads up, the campground is quite nice if you have the time.

We got to the parking lot early on a mid-summer morning. There were already a few cars in the lot. This park and hike are particularly popular, and while the parking area is large, it fills up and gets closed off, especially during weekends.

Trail Name: Buttermilk Falls Rim and Gorge Trails
Trailhead Location: Next to Park Office
Distance: 1.7 Miles Roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: ~ 450
Type: Loop
Features: Waterfall, Fall Foliage, Camping
Dogs: Yes – On Leash

Hiking the Rim and Gorge Trail in Buttermilk Falls State.

The lot is a short walk from the trailhead. Buttermilk Falls is visible from near the trailhead. There is also a great swimming area at the base of the falls. We did not swim that day, though. We filled up our water bottles and took off up the Rim Trail.

The trail steadily climbed through a fairly thick oak, pine, and hemlock forest. Along the way, there were a few great views of Buttermilk Gorge. We saw and listened to songbirds, particularly northern cardinals. We saw a few white-tailed deer as we got closer to the footbridge crossing Buttermilk Creek.

Looping down the Gorge Trail

After crossing the bridge, we started heading down the Gorge Trail. The weather changed. It felt noticeably cooler and more humid. The trail hugged the creek, passing many small waterfalls and sculptured rocks covered in bright green moss and ferns.

As we approached the end and Buttermilk Falls, the trail got steep but manageable, and there were stone stairs. Buttermilk Falls Rim and Gorge Trails are a great loop hike. That morning, we spent a little over an hour on the trail.

There are tons of beautiful hikes in the area. Watkin’s Glen, Robert H. Treman, and Taughannock Falls State Parks all feature incredible hikes that I can’t recommend enough.