Buttermilk Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated (Windsor County, VT)

Buttermilk Falls is a waterfall in Windsor County, Vermont, about 14 miles northwest of Chester. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Windsor County, VT

Nearest town

Chester (14 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.7 from 142 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Short hike likely

Swimming

Visitors mention it; use caution

Coordinates

43.43646, -72.72787

USGS topo

Ludlow quad

Getting there

Buttermilk Falls sits about 14 miles northwest of Chester in Windsor County. Google lists the address as Ludlow, VT 05149. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Buttermilk Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Vermont waterfalls are a mix of public and private land. The Green Mountain National Forest manages several in the central and southern mountains, and state forests and parks, such as Mount Mansfield State Forest, hold others. Many smaller falls are in towns, on private land with long-standing public use, or along rivers where access is informal; respect posted signs and parking rules. Roadside pullouts along Route 100 fill during foliage season. Hazards include cold water even in summer, strong currents and deep pools in narrow gorges, and slippery, moss-covered ledges. Gorge swimming holes have been the site of drownings and serious falls. Major floods in 2011 and 2023 reshaped some streams and trails, so conditions can differ from older descriptions.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Buttermilk Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Vermont. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 43.43646, -72.72787 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Towel, water shoes and a plan. Visitors mention swimming here. Water is often cold and currents near falls can be strong; never swim above a drop, and keep children within reach.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 436 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Spring snowmelt dominates Vermont's waterfall calendar. Flows usually peak from April into May, but that period coincides with mud season, when unpaved roads turn to mud and higher-elevation trails are vulnerable to damage, so many visitors focus on roadside falls in spring. By late May and June, trails dry out and falls still run well. Midsummer brings lower flows on smaller brooks, though summer thunderstorms can bring brief surges and swimming holes draw crowds. Fall foliage, generally from late September through mid October, is Vermont's busiest season, especially along Route 100 and around Stowe. Late autumn rains often revive the falls. Winter turns many falls into ice formations, but snow-covered approaches and short days require caution. 142 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards, and this guide on swimming at waterfalls explains the risks of getting in the water.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Buttermilk Falls holds a 4.7-star average across 142 Google reviews, and 81% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Windsor County. Visitors have shared 436 photos.

Cluster of 3 waterfalls in a wooded state park with a 1.1-mi. hiking trail & swimming holes.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Buttermilk Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on October 29, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Ludlow 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Sawyer Rocks (summit, 1.0 mi), Cook Pond (lake, 1.1 mi), Coleman Brook (stream, 1.4 mi), and Reservoir Pond (reservoir, 1.5 mi).

Southern Vermont and Connecticut River Tributaries. In southern Vermont, the Black, Williams, Saxtons and West rivers descend through rolling hills to the Connecticut River, and their falls are often close to villages and covered bridges. Buttermilk Falls in Windsor County, near Ludlow, is a cluster of cascades with swimming holes, and Black River Falls lies on the river of the same name. Windham County holds several small falls on the Saxtons River, recorded by USGS at heights under 20 feet, and Bellows Falls marks a historic drop on the Connecticut River itself. Many of these falls are swimming spots in summer and are easy to reach from local roads.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Buttermilk Falls about 14 miles northwest of Chester is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 142 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Buttermilk Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.