Hidden along the back roads of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is Buttermilk Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the state at 130 feet. The waterfall itself can be seen from the parking lot itself, but visitors can climb to the top to get closer to the waterfall. Despite being a roadside waterfall, Buttermilk Falls is not easy to get to, and unless you are looking for it, you will never actually find it. Read on to learn how to reach Buttermilk Falls.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Other Attractions: Van Campens Glen, Catfish Fire Tower, Hidden Falls, Mount Tammany, Laurel Falls (technically in Worthington State Forest), Tillman Ravine (technically in Stokes State Forest)
The road to Buttermilk Falls is unpaved and in poor condition. You can park at the Wallpack Cemetery and hike along Mountain Road if you have a car with low ground clearance. Wallpack Cemetery is about a mile from Buttermilk Falls.
There are multiple long-term bridge closures on some roads leading to Buttermilk Falls. You can only reach Buttermilk Falls by car from Struble Road off Route 206. From Route 206, follow the road for five miles (but it feels like more) until you reach a four-way intersection with the Wallpack Cemetery on the left, just after the Tillman Ravine parking area. Turn left here and follow the road until you reach Buttermilk Falls. Do not worry if you miss this intersection; the road is closed just up ahead, and you will be forced to return to the cemetery.
Buttermilk Falls
Height: 130 feet
Waterfall Coordinates: 41.137003 -74.889081
Despite being a roadside waterfall, Buttermilk Falls is not easy to reach. As explained above, there are multiple road closures in the area, and the road to the waterfall itself is in poor condition. Mountain Road features many large potholes, some stretching across the entire road. I have seen sedans at the parking lot, but I recommend that those driving low clearance cars park at the Wallpack Cemetery. Fortunately, Mountain Road is an extremely low-traffic road, and the walk resembles a hike more than a typical road walk. Additionally, those completing the road walk have easy access to Hidden Falls/Silver Spray Falls (coming soon).
Once you reach Buttermilk Falls, you are greeted with an extremely tall waterfall that disappears into the trees above. There is a set of steps to reach the top, with multiple observation platforms along the way. Despite this, the best view is actually from the base of the waterfall, requiring nearly no effort to reach. The trail continues up past the top of the falls until it reaches the Appalachian Trail after a slightly over a mile. The portion of the trail after the waterfall is not too exciting, so those not looking for a longer hike should return to the way they came.
Additional Information
- Buttermilk Falls has a small drainage area, and will dry up after dry periods. It is best to visit after heavy rain.
- Mountain Road is closed in the winter. You can still hike in from Wallpack Cemetery
- Buttermilk Falls is often referred to as the tallest waterfall in the state. That honor actually belongs to Greenbrook Falls in the New Jersey Palisades at 250 feet.
- Waterfall heights are from the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. Heights of waterfalls not listed by them are estimated and noted with an asterisk “*”
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