Eternal Flame Falls in New York state: how to reach the flame in the grotto

A waterfall with fire burning inside it sounds like fiction. But in the western part of New York state, such a place really exists: a small waterfall in Chestnut Ridge Park near Buffalo.

The flame rises from a crack in the shale right in the grotto behind the stream of water. The fire is usually 10 to 20 cm high (according to NYFalls.com, 09/2026). In summer the waterfall often dries up, but the fire in the grotto keeps burning.

We put together a practical guide to this spot: where the Eternal Flame Falls are located, how to reach them along the trail, when to go for a full-flowing stream, and what to keep in mind on site.

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Where the Eternal Flame Falls are located

💡 In short:

• The waterfall is in Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, about 25 km south of Buffalo (by map).
• The trail is short but steep: a descent into the gorge and a section along the creek bed.
• Admission is free, no tickets needed. The flame burns in the grotto behind the stream of water.
• Prices and hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Erie County website

Chestnut Ridge Park lies in the town of Orchard Park, a southern suburb of Buffalo. The park covers about 465 hectares (according to Erie County, 09/2026). From downtown Buffalo to the main entrance takes about half an hour by car (by map).

The name Chestnut Ridge refers to the chestnut groves that grew here until the early last century, when disease wiped them out (according to Erie County). The park itself was established in 1926 (according to Wikipedia).

The southwestern part of the park is called Shale Creek Preserve. Here you will find dense wooded ravines, few signs, and almost no people (according to Erie County). The Eternal Flame Falls are located right here, away from the main areas.

The hike starts from the southern edge of the park. At first the trail is flat, then it descends into the gorge. At the bottom you come out to Shale Creek and follow it upstream.

© Mpmajewski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mpmajewski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The smell at the waterfall will surprise you before you even see the stream. The air in the gorge smells like rotten eggs because natural gas escapes from the shale along with hydrogen sulfide (according to NYFalls.com). The stronger the smell, the closer the fire.

Description of the eternal flame falls

© Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SAPhoto: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The waterfall is low but two-tiered: about 9 m of total height (according to NYFalls.com, 09/2026). The upper tier is narrow, about 2.4 m, while the lower tier is wider and spreads across the shale. At the base there is a small grotto, and gas seeps out of a crack in it.

The flame stays at a height of 10 to 20 cm. It burns from a layer of Hanover Shale that formed during the Devonian period, 416 to 359 million years ago (according to NYFalls.com). The grotto shields the fire from wind and water, so the flame can keep burning for weeks.

Sometimes the fire does go out. Then it is relit with a match or a lighter, and you can do that too. During heavy flooding, water covers the grotto entirely and the fire is not visible.

The stream here is seasonal. From late spring to fall, the waterfall often dries up, and it runs full only in early spring or after long rains (according to NYFalls.com). When the snowmelt is high, walk carefully: the shale in the grotto is slippery.

Legends of the eternal flame

According to local legend, forest spirits fly to the fire at night to warm themselves. No one has ever managed to meet them, but park visitors still come here before dawn.

There is a second belief: whoever sees the flame go out and relights it themselves will have good luck in all their endeavors. Many people come specifically for that. You pull a lighter out of your pocket and become part of the place's history.

Skeptics call the legends fiction. But the fire in the grotto burns for real, and that works better than any fairy tale.

Cultural programs and winter activities

© Michael Barera · CC BY-SAPhoto: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The park is alive all year round. In summer there are picnics, bike paths, playgrounds, and tennis courts with evening lighting (according to Erie County, 09/2026). The Buffalo Philharmonic sometimes gives concerts right among the hills, and you listen to music against the backdrop of the gorge and falling water.

In winter, the slopes are given over to skiers and sledding enthusiasts. The sledding hill is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 (according to Erie County). The tow lift runs on weekdays from 15:00 to 19:00, and on weekends from 10:00 to 19:00. The toboggan run is open on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00.

The main reason people come here does not change with the seasons. You stand in a cloud of spray and watch a narrow strip of fire in the darkness of the grotto.

Hours, trail, and admission

The park's schedule depends on the season. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the gates are open from 7:00 to 21:00; the rest of the year, from 7:00 until dark (according to the county's official website, 09/2026). Admission is free, no tickets needed.

The trail to the waterfall is short but not easy. The distance is about 0.8 km one way (according to NYFalls.com). You descend into the gorge by stairs and tree roots, and the last stretch takes you right along the creek bed.

Wear shoes with good tread. In smooth-soled sneakers you risk falling on the wet shale. Bring water and a charged phone: the signal in the ravines is weak.

Parking is limited. Cars are left along Seufert Road, near the trailhead. A second option is the park's main lot off Chestnut Ridge Road. Restrooms are available at the main entrance; there are none at the waterfall.

What to see nearby

The fire is easy to combine with a bigger trip around the region. Niagara Falls is about 40 km to the north (on the map), and Buffalo itself offers museums, a waterfront, and an old market.

If you are driving, set aside a full day for the region. In one outing you can see both the gorge with the flame and the big water.

We wrote separately about another waterfall in the US: Horsetail Fall in Yosemite.

Eternal Flame Falls on the map

The waterfall's location is marked on the map below. The coordinates will come in handy if you are traveling on your own and lose signal in the ravines.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Eternal Flame Falls?

In Chestnut Ridge Park in the town of Orchard Park, south of Buffalo. The waterfall is in the southwestern part of the park, in the Shale Creek Preserve gorge, away from the main areas and parking lots.

Does the flame burn constantly or does it sometimes go out?

The fire is sustained by a constant release of gas, but it sometimes goes out. Tourists relight it, so the flame is almost always burning. During heavy flooding, the water stream covers the grotto, and then the fire is not visible.

How long is the walk to the waterfall from the road?

About 0.8 km one way (according to NYFalls.com). The route is short but challenging: a descent into the gorge via stairs and roots, then a section along the creek bed. It will take you an hour or more, and in wet weather you will have to go slower.

When is the best time to go to see the waterfall at full flow?

In early spring, when the snow melts, or after prolonged rains. From late spring to fall, the flow often dries up, and you will see only the grotto with the flame (according to NYFalls.com). In winter, the trail is covered with ice and requires caution.

Do you need tickets, and is the park open on weekends?

No tickets are needed. The park is open on weekends too, but by midday cars pile up near the trail.

In short: what to book

You do not need to book the waterfall itself. It is a free natural site in a county park, with no tickets or ticket offices. What you should plan for is the drive, footwear, and time.

• If you are going for the fire and a full-flowing stream: early spring, a weekday morning, hiking shoes.
• If you want to combine the waterfall with Niagara: set aside a full day and two stops.
• If you are going in winter: check the park status and bring warm waterproof footwear.

Look for tours of the region and to Niagara Falls in advance: find tours on GetYourGuide.