Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hours of Operation

• Park open all year.
  Vehicle entry fee collected from mid-April to mid-October.
• 2017 Camping Season: May 19 - October 15
  
  Cabins:
  Per night – two night minimum 5/19 -6/24 and 8/26 – 10/15
  Per week- one week minimum, Saturday –Saturday rentals: 6/25 -8/25
  
  Please note within the camping season time frame, some loops/sites may open later or close earlier. For more details, please call the park or visit http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

• Trails Update: The Gorge Trail is closed for the season. Please contact 607-273-3440 for condition updates.
  
  Before your visit, please contact the park office for an updated status.

• 2017 Swimming Season: 6/30 - 9/4: 11AM - 7PM, Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays only
  *Swimming at Buttermilk Falls is dependent on the weather conditions, and the schedule is subject to change. Before traveling, we strongly recommend contacting the park office to confirm swimming is open.
• Shelters Reservations: May 1 - October 31
• Deer hunting, bow only, is permitted in season.

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The Empire Pass -- whether a card for $80 or a vehicle-affixed decal for $65 -- is your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Apply online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

• Vehicle Entry Fee Collection

• Cars: $8
  Non-Commercial Bus Fee: $35
  Commercial Bus Fee: $75
  Seasonal Bus Permits: $75
  
  Collected:
  4/29 - 6/16 from 8:30 AM - 6 PM, weekends & holidays
  6/17 - 9/4 from 8:30 AM - 6 PM, daily
  9/5 - 10/22 from 8:30 AM - 6 PM, weekends & holidays
  
  *Overflow lot fees collected via automated pay station.

• Cabins

• daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge (two night minimum)
  Per week: $210 (one week minimum Sat.-Sat.)
  
  $2.75 Walk-in fee
  $9 Reservation fee
  $7 Non-NYS Resident fee per night or $28/week

• Camping
• $15-$19/night
  
  

  *Additional $5/night for out-of-state patrons

• Peddling Fee
• $400
• Shelters/Pavilions
• Upper shelter - enclosed: $100 (flat rate)
  

Maps

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

• Firewood Source Map (pdf)

• Park Map (pdf)
• Buttermilk Falls Hunting Map (Color) (pdf)
• Buttermilk Falls Hunting Map (Black & White) (pdf)
• Campground Map (pdf)
• Trail Map (pdf)

The Finger Lakes Environmental Education Department offers scheduled gorge tours and educational programs at Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman, Taughannock Falls and Watkins Glen State Parks. All park programs are free and open to the public, no registration required, although a parking fee may be charged.

If you have a group (10 or more) that is interested in scheduling its own gorge tour or educational program at a Finger Lakes State Park, please fill out this quick form to help us best assist you. The regional Environmental Educator Josh Teeter (Josh.Teeter@parks.ny.gov) will respond and coordinate a free program with you.

The Finger Lakes Story Sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and rolling pastoral land dominate the landscape of the Finger Lakes Region. Over thousands of years, gigantic glaciers and coursing streams have carved this landscape. The most recent glacier moved through shallow river valleys leaving in its place deep, steep-sided troughs. When the glaciers receded north 10,000 years ago, water filled these new troughs, creating the 11 Finger Lakes. Since that time water has flowed down glacially steepened hillsides carrying debris that cut away at soft sedimentary rock to form our beautiful and unique gorges.

Gorge Tours provide information and insights about individual park history, ecology, gorge formation and geology. Tours last approximately one and one half hours.

The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Tour - You'll ascend approximately 600 feet on the gorge trail from its beginning at Buttermilk Falls by the time it ends just past the 42ft "Pinnacle Rock". The gorge trail follows Buttermilk Creek through its cool, moist, gorge past deep pools, sculpted rocks and several waterfalls. There are many beautiful stone steps on this trail making it a difficult hike for some visitors.

Educational Programs are offered about a variety of topics.

Birds ● Fossils ● Reptiles and Amphibians ● Insects ● Invasive Species ● Mammals ● Trees● Park Histories ● Animal Tracks ● Wilderness Survival

If don't see a specific topic please call or email us with your questions.

Deer hunting, bow only, is permitted in season. Please reference the NYS DEC Hunting and Trapping Guide for current dates and rules for hunting.

• Hunting Map

2017-18 hunting schedule & rules/regulations for Finger Lakes State Parks & Historic Sites

Note: A valid New York State hunting license with the proper hunting stamps will serve as the regional hunting permit. Except where otherwise stated, this is the only permit necessary.

Note: Hunters at Buttermilk Falls must sign in each day at the park office or upper contact station each day. If a deer is taken, hunters must call the Robert H. Treman park office - (607) 273-3440 - to report sex of deer and approximate age of deer.

Safety zones and restricted areas are posted to ensure the safety of other park patrons and regional personnel. Signs will be posted at all parks during hunting season to notify patrons of this activity. Handguns will not be permitted in any of the parks. No trapping is allowed.

For additional information, please contact: (607) 273-3440