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Buttermilk Falls (Walpack Township)

New Jersey's tallest waterfall, cascading through a Delaware Water Gap gorge near Layton

At a glance

  • Widely regarded as New Jersey's tallest waterfall, a multi-tier cascade through a shaded rock gorge
  • Steep wooden staircase climbs beside the falls toward the Appalachian Trail, Hemlock Pond and Crater Lake
  • Free to visit and dog-friendly on leash, with a shallow creek base for kids and pups to splash

Buttermilk Falls: New Jersey’s Tallest Waterfall

Water spills over a broad rock face and tumbles down a long stack of ledges, and by the time it reaches the bottom, Buttermilk Falls NJ has dropped farther than any other waterfall in the state. It sits deep in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, on Mountain Road outside the tiny hamlet of Layton in Sandyston Township, Sussex County. Sources argue about the exact height, but nobody argues about the effect. The falls run in white cascades through a shaded rock gorge, loudest in spring melt and after a hard rain, softer and lacier by late summer.

Hiking the Falls and the Ridge Above

You can see the main drop within a minute of leaving the car, and that alone is worth the drive. A steep wooden staircase climbs right alongside the water, and each landing opens a new angle on the cascades. Keep going and the trail leaves most of the crowd behind, gaining more than 700 feet in under a mile as it climbs toward the Kittatinny ridge.

The Longer Loop

Up top the path meets bigger routes. Within about a mile and a half it ties into the Appalachian Trail, and a longer day links to Hemlock Pond and Crater Lake, both good for swimming and fishing. Serious hikers string them into a loop, though we usually turn around at the top of the Buttermilk Falls staircase and call it a good morning. The creek at the base runs shallow and cold, a favorite splash for kids and leashed dogs on a hot afternoon. Pair it with other Sussex County waterfalls for a full weekend outdoors.

Getting There and When to Go

The falls sit in a remote corner of Sandyston, and the roads reflect that. Mountain Road closes to cars from early January through mid-April, and part of the approach has seen longer closures, so the walk in from Walpack Cemetery can run about two miles when the gates are shut. There is no entrance fee. Spring gives you the fullest flow, fall gives you the color, and the small lot fills early on summer weekends. Build it into a bigger day near Stokes State Forest.

FAQ

How tall is Buttermilk Falls?

Buttermilk Falls NJ is widely considered New Jersey's tallest waterfall, though published heights vary [VERIFY: cited figures run from about 85 feet to more than 200 feet]. It drops in a series of cascades through a rock gorge in the Delaware Water Gap, near Layton in Sussex County.

Are dogs allowed at Buttermilk Falls?

Yes, dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than six feet, the standard rule across the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Many visitors let their leashed dogs cool off in the shallow creek at the base of the falls on warm days.

Is there a fee to visit Buttermilk Falls?

No, there is no entrance fee to visit Buttermilk Falls [VERIFY: confirm no current parking or amenity fee]. It is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and stays open year-round, though vehicle access to the trailhead is seasonal.

When is the best time to see Buttermilk Falls?

Spring is the best time for the fullest, loudest flow, when snowmelt and rain feed the falls. Fall adds foliage color to the gorge. The small parking lot fills early on summer weekends, so plan to arrive soon after sunrise for a spot.

Can you drive right up to Buttermilk Falls?

Sometimes. A small lot sits across from the falls on Mountain Road, but that road closes to cars from early January to mid-April and has seen longer closures [VERIFY: current road status with the park]. When the gates are shut, plan to walk in about two miles from Walpack Cemetery down gated Mountain Road.

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