Description

Buttermilk Falls is a small seasonal waterfall in High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne Township. The waterfall is located in a region of the park known as Franklin Clove (which is worth visiting in its own right, even more so than the waterfall).

Buttermilk Falls is a very seasonal waterfall. It has a very small drainage area, and the basalt bedrock causes most rainwater to drain quickly. As a testament to its seasonality, the first three pictures below were taken in April of 2026, when most waterfalls (including others nearby) look their best. In these pictures, the waterfall was barely a trickle. Additional pictures were taken in September during a major nor’easter that dropped several inches of rain across the area.

Another, similar waterfall named Three Block Falls is located nearby in the same park. While you can hike between the two, it is recommended to drive.

Directions

There are many ways to reach Buttermilk Falls, but because of limited parking and a lack of trails, the easiest way is to park at the pull-off on Indian Trail Drive. Note that the waterfall is located at the end of Scioto Drive, but there is no parking here. The hike from Indian Trail Drive is only a quarter mile.

• From Indian Trail Drive, take the White Trail until you reach a large and obvious wildflower circle.
• Turn left at this circle and walk about a hundred feet on the Orange Trail until you reach Buttermilk Falls.

Gallery

Click each image to enlarge