Buttermilk Falls
New York • 15 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
1.8 miles
Trail Type
Loop
About Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls, also called Horseshoe Falls, is a wide, low drop on a channel of the Mohawk River at the southeast corner of Peebles Island State Park, just before the Mohawk joins the Hudson. It is seen from the park's Perimeter Trail, a mostly flat loop of just under 2 miles around the island. Cohoes Falls is about a mile upstream.
The Setting
Buttermilk Falls sits at 20 feet in the coastal lowlands of New York. The falls drop 15 feet.
Height: 15 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The Perimeter Trail circles Peebles Island in a 1.84-mile loop along the river banks, passing the falls near the island's southeast corner. The park's trails are mainly flat, and bicycles are not permitted on them.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 15 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Buttermilk Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Up to two pets are allowed in day-use areas; they must be supervised and crated or on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Buttermilk Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 48°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Mohawk River, 1.2 miles away, not on Buttermilk Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
6,170 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 101 years of record
11.08 ft
Water depth at gauge
48°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 48 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MOHAWK RIVER AT COHOES NY (2 km away).
Today
Roaring
6170 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
6539 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
6849 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
6701 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
6406 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
6303 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
7085 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to mid May, 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 Cohoes hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Buttermilk Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded big river, rarely freezes solid
Buttermilk Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 39°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
- 5720 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 New York.
Weather Forecast
Location & Access
Getting There
The park entrance is at 1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes, NY 12047. The park is also on the Empire State Trail for walkers and cyclists.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park in the lot inside the park entrance. Entry is free.
Elevation
20 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.775833° N, -73.687778° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Call the park at (518) 268-2188 to confirm hours.
Where to Stay
The Clocktower Hotel Latham - North Albany, an Ascend Collection Hotel
The Century House Latham - North Albany, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albany Airport Area - Latham by IHG
Tru By Hilton Albany Airport, Ny
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Attractions
Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk, about a mile upstream, and the Matton Shipyard site on Van Schaick Island, which is part of the park.
Cities near Buttermilk Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Buttermilk Falls
23 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
-
01
Apalachin
50 ft -
02
Claverack-Red Mills
Current flow 244 ft³/s -
03
East Worcester
104 ft -
04
Fultonville
30 ftCurrent flow 2,320 ft³/s -
05
Gloversville
Current flow 2,320 ft³/s -
06
Greenwood Lake
Current flow 112 ft³/s -
07
Highland Falls
100 ftCurrent flow 30 ft³/s -
08
Hudson Falls
60 ftCurrent flow 4 ft³/s -
09
Keeseville
128 ftCurrent flow 112 ft³/s -
10
Linwood
70 ftCurrent flow 26 ft³/s -
11
Palenville
549 ftCurrent flow 4 ft³/s -
12
South Hill
165 ft -
13
Speculator
25 ft -
14
Wampsville
30 ftCurrent flow 32 ft³/s
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