Are there fees or permits required for Buttermilk Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Buttermilk Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Buttermilk Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Buttermilk Falls.

Nearby gauge (Sebec River) · 836 ft³/s · About average

Buttermilk Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Buttermilk Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Buttermilk Falls. Dogs are allowed on most of the Appalachian Trail and must be leashed on park land, but are banned in the Smokies and Baxter State Park.

Maine

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 23 other waterfalls also named Buttermilk Falls, see below

Appalachian National Scenic Trail NT · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

talksrealfast CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Gulf Hagas - panoramio.jpg CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.3 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls is a quietly scenic cascade tucked into the wooded corridor of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and managed by the National Park Service. The falls drop over a series of bedrock shelves, creating a peaceful, photogenic setting that draws hikers looking for a short escape into mature Maine forest. Per Wikipedia, “Buttermilk Falls” is a common name shared by multiple waterfalls, so be sure you’re headed to the Appalachian NST location when planning your visit. The trail is popular with day hikers and nature lovers seeking a compact adventure within a nationally managed scenic-trail landscape; expect a forested approach and a quiet, rock-lined plunge at the end of the path.

The Setting

Buttermilk Falls sits at 1,050 feet within Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in the foothills of Maine.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Screw Auger Falls (23 ft) lies 1.0 miles to the east. Also nearby: Billings Falls (15 ft, 0.7 mi).

Screw Auger Falls Billings Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The path follows a well-trodden footpath through wooded terrain within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor managed by the National Park Service. Surfaces are natural tread and the trail can become muddy or slippery after rain, so wear sturdy footwear and expect some short, moderate climbs rather than sustained steep grades.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Buttermilk Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on most of the Appalachian Trail and must be leashed on park land, but are banned in the Smokies and Baxter State Park.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Buttermilk Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Safety Information

Exercise caution near the waterfall, as rocks can be slippery. Be aware of changing weather conditions, and avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sebec River, 18.3 miles away, not on Buttermilk Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

836 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

72 217 872 1.6k

Based on 71 years of record

3.67 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

Sebec River at Sebec, Maine

USGS 01033000

18.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 325 sq mi

Altitude: 296 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Sebec River at Sebec, Maine (30 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

836 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

903 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Strong

877 cfs

10/10

Fri

Strong

927 cfs

7/10

Sat

Strong

1022 cfs

7/10

Sun

Strong

1060 cfs

7/10

Mon

Strong

1013 cfs

10/10

Tue

Strong

891 cfs

10/10

Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to early June, peaking in April.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Brownville Junction hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Buttermilk Falls Frozen?

Updated about 4 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Buttermilk Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 41°F to 33°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 844 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Maine.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar measures about 109 feet of descent through Buttermilk Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,052 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 71 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 133 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Buttermilk Falls near Brownville Junction, Maine, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Buttermilk Falls near Brownville Junction, Maine, showing about 109 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,052 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 109 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Buttermilk Falls is located near the town of The Forks, Maine. It can be accessed via a short drive from Route 201. The trailhead is typically marked, but visitors should consult local maps or guides for precise directions.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the trailhead, but space may be limited during peak seasons.

Elevation

1,050 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.488936° N, -69.325884° W

Land Management

Appalachian National Scenic Trail NT

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail can be slippery, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during the summer months. Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

The Forks area offers other outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River and hiking trails in the surrounding forests.

Wildlife

The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes and black flies during warmer months.