Updated July 2026
Buttermilk Falls (Delaware Water Gap)
Widely cited as one of the tallest waterfalls in New Jersey, located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area near Layton. Height estimates vary considerably by source (from roughly 75 feet to over 130 feet), so the exact figure is uncertain; a wooden staircase climbs alongside the falls to the ridge and the Appalachian Trail.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check National Park Service (Delaware Water Gap NRA) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Buttermilk Falls (Delaware Water Gap) in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Buttermilk Falls Trail reaches it about 2.8 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 1,104 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is Layton. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with National Park Service (Delaware Water Gap NRA) for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More New Jersey waterfalls
Sources
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.