Description

Buttermilk Falls is a scenic waterfall located in Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater. Though natural, it is located just below the (much taller) dam of the East Branch Reservoir. Access to the waterfall is off the Yellow Trail. The waterfall can be seen from above on the trail near the dam, but for the best view, take the short but steep unmarked trail to the bottom.

This Buttermilk Falls is one of at least four waterfalls of the same in New Jersey. Other waterfalls by the same name include one in Walpack, one in Mendham, and one in Wayne.

Parking

Parking access is temporarily unusual due to ongoing park construction. The parking lot is located at coordinates 40.582778, -74.553167 at the end of a newly built, unnamed road.

Because GPS apps do not yet display this new road, navigation services will direct you via Miller Road instead. Following those directions leads to a road closure that redirects traffic onto a temporary, drivable section of the hiking trail.

Follow this detoured route until you return to the paved road. Continue to the upcoming fork and stay right to enter the parking area.

Directions

From the parking area, the waterfall is easy to find and only about a half mile hike.

1. Locate the Yellow Trail on a paved road behind a closed gate.
2. Follow the trail 0.2 miles to an overlook, dubbed the Hawk Watch.
3. Continue on the Yellow Trail, which is now natural. At a fork with the Yellow and Black Trail, keep right to stay on the standard Yellow Trail.
4. Follow the trail to the dam for the East Branch Reservoir.
5. From the dam, carefully work your way down to water level where you can see the waterfall.

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