Buttermilk Falls.
In the central Adirondacks, some outings require an early alarm, a packed day bag, and a debate over who thought this much uphill would be fun.
Buttermilk Falls in Hamilton County offers something different: a short woodland walk, the Raquette River gathering force, and a waterfall that gives visitors a great reason to stop moving.
Located off North Point Road in the Town of Long Lake, this Buttermilk Falls belongs firmly on an Adirondack itinerary. Set your navigation for Long Lake; New York’s other waterfalls with the same name can complicate an otherwise sensible plan. The main approach is about 0.1 miles each way, and you can hear the falls before you reach the water.
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A small outing with a substantial soundtrack.
Buttermilk Falls rewards attention rather than endurance. Water tumbles over exposed rock, breaking into whitewater and filling the surrounding woods with its steady rush. The attraction is the whole scene: moving water, wooded banks, and the opportunity to spend a little time beside a river with somewhere to go.
That makes it especially appealing on a day exploring the central Adirondacks. Visitors can stretch their legs between Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake without committing to a summit hike, or make the falls the centerpiece of a deliberately unambitious afternoon.
The destination also fits into Hamilton County’s waterfall touring offerings. For travelers building a day around the region’s cascades, it offers a short walk alongside outings that demand much more trail time.
Bring lunch and leave room to linger.
Picnic tables and places to pause near the river give Buttermilk Falls a purpose beyond the obligatory photograph. Pack sandwiches, choose a dry spot well away from the water’s edge, and let the river provide the background music.
Rock outcrops above the falls contribute to the setting, but they require judgment. A promising lunch perch can also be wet, uneven, or dangerously close to moving water. The best seat lets everyone relax without monitoring a slippery exit route.
For families whose members can manage rough footing, the short approach makes a shared outing possible without a long hike. It also leaves time for the small pleasures that ambitious itineraries tend to squeeze out: watching the current, taking another photograph, or finishing lunch without checking the clock.
ADK Taste insight.
The path here serves more than waterfall visitors. Buttermilk Falls sits along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and the canoe carry allows paddlers to transport their boats overland around the falls. What looks like a short riverside walk is also part of a much larger journey through Adirondack waterways.
Visitors who want to extend their outing can follow the carry to the downstream put-in. Beyond it, an informal footpath continues toward two lean-tos at the southern end of Long Lake. This is an additional excursion, separate from the approximately 0.2-mile waterfall visit; allow extra time and carry a map rather than assuming every path forms an obvious loop.
The canoe access above the falls also belongs in a well-planned paddling trip. Anyone launching here needs appropriate equipment, route knowledge, and a clear understanding of the current and the falls’ location.
A short trail still requires care.
Buttermilk Falls is not a mobility-accessible destination. The approach includes uneven, eroded ground, and wet conditions can leave mud and slippery surfaces. Reaching the lower viewing areas can involve rocky scrambling. “Short” describes the distance, not every visitor’s experience.
Long Lake’s visitor information warns of serious hazards at both high and low water, throughout the year. There are no lifeguards, the town reports no cell service at the site, and emergency assistance is several miles away. Stay out of the falls, avoid climbing wet rocks, and keep children closely supervised.
Winter adds another reason to proceed cautiously. Ice formations can make the scene compelling, but frozen surfaces and concealed footing increase the risk. Traction devices may help on the approach; they do not make an icy riverbank safe.
Hamilton County in the Central Adirondacks.
Before heading out, hear from the people who help.
A short walk still calls for sound judgment. In this episode of ADK Talks, Jeff Berry and Elena Lumby of Search and Rescue in the Northern Adirondacks (SARNAK) share rescue stories and practical advice on preparing for time outdoors. The conversation offers plenty to consider before the next Adirondack outing.
For a visit to Buttermilk Falls, start with the basics: secure footing, plenty of space from the water’s edge, and a willingness to turn around when conditions warrant.
ADK Taste recommendations.
Find the right location. From Long Lake, travel toward Blue Mountain Lake, turn right onto North Point Road, and continue approximately two miles to the signed parking area on the right.
Wear shoes with grip. Choose footwear suited to roots, rocks, and mud.
Give the visit breathing room. The walk takes minutes, but allow time to enjoy the setting.
Prepare before arriving. Download directions, bring water, and tell someone your plan if you intend to extend the walk.
Share the carry. Leave room for paddlers transporting boats, and pack out everything you bring in.
ADK Taste perspective.
Buttermilk Falls makes a persuasive case for leaving the day open. A place this close to the road can still hold attention, reward a return visit, and turn a picnic into the part of the trip everyone remembers.
The walk is brief. There is no particular reason the visit should be.
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