Exploring Buttermilk Falls in Luzerne County

A captivating image of Buttermilk Falls in the Bear Creek Preserve, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, featuring multi-tiered waterfalls spilling over layered rock formations. The falls are flanked by verdant forest trees, some clinging to the last of their autumn leaves, with the forest floor adorned with a scattering of brown foliage. The water, appearing silky and white, contrasts with the dark, wet rocks, offering a visual symphony of natural beauty and serene woodland charm.

If you’re looking for directions to Buttermilk Falls in Luzerne County, you’re in the right place!

Buttermilk Falls is beautifully captured in a vertical composition within the lush confines of Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The falls cascade over a series of rocky ledges, enveloped by the forest's vibrant greenery and the rustic colors of damp, fallen leaves. The timeless beauty of the falls is accentuated by the silky texture of the water, a testament to the serene and enduring power of nature.

Buttermilk Falls is a 35 foot-tall waterfall located along White Haven Road one mile south of Bear Creek Village, on the western edge of the Bear Creek Preserve.


If navigating by GPS coordinates, use 41.16685, -75.74329 to locate this dirt and gravel parking lot on the eastern side of White Haven Road.

An orange pickup truck is parked on a gravel lot near Buttermilk Falls within the Bear Creek Preserve, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The vehicle stands out against a backdrop of a misty, forested landscape and a classic brick house just across the quiet country road. A fallen branch in the foreground adds a rustic touch to this peaceful rural setting.

This roadside waterfall is a haven for those looking to enjoy the beauty of cascading waters without venturing deep into the wilderness.

Buttermilk Falls cascades gracefully through a rocky, tree-lined landscape at Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The waterfall is framed by the rich green of evergreens and the bare branches of deciduous trees, with a foreground of jagged, wet rocks and fallen logs that testify to the natural, untamed beauty of the area.

Without even leaving your vehicle, you have a partial view of Buttermilk Falls from the parking lot.

A vibrant orange pickup truck is parked in a gravel lot surrounded by a mix of evergreen and leafless deciduous trees, indicative of the changing seasons. In the background, the natural beauty of Buttermilk Falls in the Bear Creek Preserve of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, can be glimpsed through the woodland, inviting exploration and adventure in this serene setting.

Buttermilk Falls in Luzerne County is one of the easiest-to-reach waterfalls in PA, a picturesque slice of Pennsylvania’s natural splendor in a roadside setting!

A tranquil scene of Buttermilk Falls, located within the Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where the water gently descends in a series of white, frothy cascades over stratified rock ledges. Surrounded by a forest of trees and rocks covered in lush green moss, the area is rich with the hues of nature, as fallen leaves in various shades of brown are scattered across the moist, dark stones, adding to the autumnal palette of the landscape. The water’s flow creates a soft, misty atmosphere, adding a sense of peacefulness to this picturesque woodland setting.

Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is a cascading waterfall along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, 1/4 mile north of the Rockport Access to the park and rail trail.

Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Buttermilk Falls in Carbon County.

Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County is one of the tallest waterfalls in western PA, and one of the few PA waterfalls you can safely stand behind, thanks to a special viewing platform.

Buttermilk Falls on a summer morning in Indiana County Pennsylvania.
Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County.

Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County is a magnificent waterfall in a picturesque park setting, just a few hundred yards from the Beaver Falls exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Buttermilk Falls in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania.
Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County.

Buttermilk Falls in Armstrong County is short in stature but long on beauty, located along a rail trail that parallels Cowanshannock Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River.

Buttermilk Falls in Armstrong County Pennsylvania.
Buttermilk Falls in Armstrong County.

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide features an interactive map that provides you with accurate directions to over 200 of Pennsylvania’s finest waterfalls, including hundreds NOT named “Buttermilk!”


Nearby Attractions

The Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Luzerne County is a 537-acre site featuring a series of seven sandstone “tubs” that formed over 12,000 years ago, as glacial meltwater eroded the sandstone bedrock along what is now known as Wheelbarrow Run.

A collage of scenes from Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, showcasing the natural beauty and unique geological formations within the 537-acre park. The top-left image captures a cascading waterfall flowing into a smooth, sandstone tub surrounded by autumn leaves. The top-right image displays a wooden bridge spanning a rocky gorge with water-filled tubs below. The bottom-left image features a hiker standing on a rock ledge, overlooking the gorge and stream as it winds through the sandstone formations. The bottom-right image shows the entrance sign to Seven Tubs Recreation Area, set against a vibrant backdrop of fall foliage. These photos highlight the park's rugged terrain, picturesque trails, and seasonal colors.

Salvatore Falls is a 25 foot-tall, multi-tiered waterfall located on the State Game Lands 91 in Luzerne County.

A breathtaking view of Salvatore Falls, where water cascades over multiple rock shelves covered with vibrant green moss, located in State Game Lands 91, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The falls are surrounded by a forested area with trees that seem to stand as silent guardians of this serene setting. The fallen leaves and ferns add a touch of autumnal color to the lush greens, while the smooth flow of the water provides a calming presence in the woodland landscape.

Little Shickshinny Falls is a beautiful 25-foot tall waterfall located on State Game Lands 260, just west of the town of Shickshinny in Luzerne County.

Little Shickshinny Falls in August 2023.

Concrete City is one of the most-famous ghost towns in Pennsylvania, and it lies tucked away in an overgrown, wooded plot of land on the outskirts of Nanticoke, in Luzerne County.

Exploring Concrete City in Nanticoke Pennsylvania.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.