Buttermilk Falls Trail (Walpack, NJ) Hiking Guide
Buttermilk Falls pours down the western face of the Kittatinny Ridge beside a gravel road in Walpack, inside the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Park Service calls it New Jersey's tallest waterfall. You can see it from the base in a minute, but the Buttermilk Falls Trail keeps going: a wooden staircase climbs alongside the cascade, then the path grinds uphill to the Appalachian Trail on the ridgetop.
Getting There Right Now
Access is the hard part. The Main Street bridge in Walpack Center, between the village and Mountain Road, has been closed since a vehicle damaged it in late 2023. Mountain Road is also closed south of the falls toward Haneys Mill. The Park Service's current route is Struble Road through Stokes State Forest to Mountain Road, then south on the gravel road to the falls. Struble Road closes every year from December 15 to April 15, and while it is shut the falls cannot be reached by car. Mountain Road itself is rough dirt with potholes, so drive slowly. Check the park's Current Conditions page before you go.
The Climb
The park lists the trail at 1.4 miles one-way with about 1,104 feet of elevation change, rated moderate to difficult. Mapping apps show the round trip to the AT and back at roughly 3 miles and 1,125 feet of gain. The staircase takes you to the top of the falls with platforms along the way. Past it, the blue-blazed trail climbs steeply on rocky ground through the woods until it meets the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, where the ridge opens to views over the Walpack valley. Trekking poles help on the descent.
How Tall Is It?
Published heights for Buttermilk Falls range widely, from about 80 feet to well over 100. NJHiking.com cites a recent survey putting it near 130 feet. Every source agrees it is among the tallest falls in New Jersey. The best view of the whole drop is actually from the bottom, a few steps from the road.
Rules at the Falls
There is no fee to park or hike here; the recreation area's amenity fees cover only five swimming and boat-launch sites. Swimming and wading are not permitted in the waterfall or within 50 feet upstream of it. Leashed dogs are allowed on trails here, as they are on most of the park's trails, but the staircase and the steep upper trail are hard on older dogs. Black bears and ticks are both common on this side of the ridge.
Making It Longer
From the ridgetop you can turn south on the Appalachian Trail toward Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond, which the park suggests as an extension. NJHiking.com describes a 7.2-mile loop that links the falls, the AT, Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond and returns on a woods road. It is a big step up from the out-and-back, so bring a map, extra water and enough daylight.
Hiking tips for Buttermilk Falls Trail (Walpack, NJ)
- Approach via Struble Road through Stokes State Forest; the Walpack Main Street bridge is closed.
- Don't plan this hike between December 15 and April 15, when the access road is shut to cars.
- View the falls from the base first, then take the stairs while your legs are fresh.
- Stay out of the pool and the stream within 50 feet above the falls; both are off limits.
- Carry poles for the steep, rocky descent from the Appalachian Trail.
Nearby trails to explore
- Tillman Ravine Trail
- Van Campens Glen Trail
- Sunrise Mountain Loop (Stokes State Forest)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Buttermilk Falls takes some driving on back roads, so it's a good trip to share. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap. Download the TrailMates app to connect.