Buttermilk Falls
New York • 100 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (2)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls is a stepped cascade on Highland Brook that tumbles roughly 100 feet through the village of Highland Falls in Orange County before the brook empties into the Hudson River just below West Point. Dutch settlers named the frothy brook and its falls 'Buttermilk Falls,' and the village carried that name until it was incorporated as Highland Falls in 1906.
The Setting
Buttermilk Falls sits at 59 feet in the coastal lowlands of New York. At 100 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in New York.
Height: 100 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The tread winds through woodlands and leads directly to the base of the falls; expect natural dirt/leaf-covered surfaces and typical trail obstacles (roots and occasional rocks). The path can become muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear and basic trail caution are recommended. The trail is short enough for a half-day trip but has enough uphill to require a steady pace for some hikers.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 100 feet. 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
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Buttermilk Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring is the best time to visit when the waterfall is at its fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall. Summer and fall also offer pleasant conditions, while winter may provide a unique view of the falls frozen over.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The trail may be slippery after rain, and visitors should exercise caution near the waterfall to avoid accidents. Always stay on marked trails.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Muscoot River, 10.3 miles away, not on Buttermilk Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
29 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 31 years of record
4.41 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 nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MUSCOOT RIVER AT BALDWIN PLACE NY (17 km away).
Today
Low
29 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Low
27 cfs
6/10Tue
Low
30 cfs
6/10Wed
Low
27 cfs
6/10Thu
Low
26 cfs
6/10Fri
Low
33 cfs
6/10Sat
Low
33 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late December to mid January, peaking in December.
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 Highland Falls 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
Buttermilk Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 32 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
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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 146 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 100 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 60 feet.
The ground changes about 54 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 61 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 60 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 146 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Buttermilk Falls is located approximately 0.5 miles from Highland Falls, 2.4 miles from Fort Montgomery, and 2.4 miles from West Point. The coordinates for the falls are 41.37, -73.9619. Access is typically via a short trail from a nearby parking area.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is limited parking available near the trailhead. Visitors are advised to arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a spot.
Hours
Elevation
59 feet above sea level
Coordinates
41.370000° N, -73.961944° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early to secure parking, especially on weekends. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy or slippery. Bring water and a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
Where to Stay
Cromwell Manor Inn
West Point Motel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites West Point-Fort Montgomery by IHG
Overlook Lodge and Stone Cottages at Bear Mountain
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Bear Mountain State Park, West Point Military Academy, and the Hudson River.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes during warmer months.
Cities near Buttermilk Falls
Other waterfalls named Buttermilk Falls
23 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
-
01
Apalachin
50 ftCurrent flow 47 ft³/s -
02
Claverack-Red Mills
Current flow 167 ft³/s -
03
Cohoes
15 ftCurrent flow 2,660 ft³/s -
04
East Worcester
104 ftCurrent flow 13 ft³/s -
05
Fultonville
30 ftCurrent flow 2,550 ft³/s -
06
Gloversville
Current flow 2,550 ft³/s -
07
Greenwood Lake
Current flow 40 ft³/s -
08
Hudson Falls
60 ftCurrent flow 1 ft³/s -
09
Keeseville
128 ftCurrent flow 101 ft³/s -
10
Linwood
70 ftCurrent flow 21 ft³/s -
11
Palenville
549 ftCurrent flow 2 ft³/s -
12
South Hill
165 ft -
13
Speculator
25 ftCurrent flow 169 ft³/s -
14
Wampsville
30 ftCurrent flow 17 ft³/s
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