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It's been well over 10 years, since coming here, and on a nice warmer pre spring day, decided to check it out for updates that were made on the hiking trail. Even though this isn't a long hike, highly recommended if you plan to get a close view of eternal flame wear hiking boots, and anticipate walking through a bit of water, as you get closer to the flame. They did a great job, with trail markings and forming new path to get to the Eternal Flame. Just be cautious with footing on the steps along the trail, and most of all enjoy nature at its best.
Such a beautiful trail! It is dangerous in the winter, though I have also heard rumors it is closed in the winter. I went in December and was not able to make it all the way to the Eternal Flame due to ice on the path but it was beautiful and I look forward to going back in the Spring.
What a beautiful walk! I've heard about the eternal flame forever ago but somehow never visited until now. They just added steps this year in sections that I guess were pretty steep before. The walk is so nice and fairly easy until you hit the creek bed. Today was pretty dry, but you still needed to watch you step walking on the rocks in the water & at points over big logs. The trail, even without the eternal flame at the end, is beautiful. There's nothing as peaceful as walking through the woods. Obviously, the eternal flame would have been better with more water coming over the falls but was still amazing to see. Just thinking about the fact that the flame burns all the time behind a waterfall is crazy. Almost magical. Seeing more water just gives me reason to come back again sometime. 2023-88
We started our drive here from Niagara Falls on the morning of our New Year. It was about an hour away with very minimal traffic once in the town, the scenic drive in the winter felt so calming and therapeutic, so needed. We arrived there around 12pm, the icic scenery was pure gorgeous. I have to say again so beautiful on the eyes nothing like Ive ever experienced. My young ones were so grateful as it was a first for them seeing that much snow, they really appreciated and took it all in. My 8 yr son described the trail as really fun parkour, he was all laughs, I couldn't keep up with him neat-less to say and I will say I almost slipped crossing the river as well as one or two times going down the steps - so beware, the ice is extra slippery. Once you get to the final waterfall where the eternal flame it is another beautiful wonder. While the flame wasn't lit and I didn't bring a lighter (tip - you can lit it yourself if it's not on) I still so much enjoyed the adventure, and highly recommend it!
This is a lovely hike. It's an out and back. You will walk along the creek bed for a while. It's got some up and down, and it's very slippery if it's been raining. Wear the right shoes. Tons of very easy parking in a few different places to get to this trail. 3/20
Me and my husband try to hike here at least once a year because it really is such a natural wonder that we are so lucky to have so close to home. The county really does put a lot of time and effort into maintaining these trials which is much appreciated. They most recently installed a lot of stairs instead of using tree roots to get down to the eternal flame. This makes it a lot safer for hikers to get there. The trails inside of the gorge are pretty difficult to navigate right now with everything being very wet and slippery from the mud. It is a bit unsafe down there so I do wish the trails were a little wider but there's not much that could be done to improve them. It is such a gorgeous park and a great workout getting back up those stairs! There is plenty of parking available at the trailhead. Make sure to wear bug spray because it gets pretty bad near the water. Make sure to wear grippy shoes as well.
This is a great natural wonder near Buffalo, NY. Saw it on FB, and decided I had to see it. It was most definitely worth the trip, but I am glad I checked Yelp before going. It is a hike - about 1.2 miles in total, but it is not really difficult IF you wear the right clothing and shoes. You need to wear shoes that can go in the water, as it is much easier in some places to walk in the creek bed instead of on the trail. There are a lot of stairs - you are going downhill into the gorge on the trip in, and climbing out of the gorge on the trip out. There are stairs with railings, but they can be muddy and wet, so be prepared. I saw people in heels and flip flops, and cringed. It is a beautiful and amazing site. When I was there on a Thursday, it was fairly crowded, but not excessively. Definitely worth the visit!
Went on this hike at around 4/5 pm which is usually too late for me to hike. I just don't like being in the woods when it's dark! The hike is not long but it has been raining all week and it was muddy and slippery which made it more difficult. The google maps link to this hike I believe is more accurate but there is a sign that says eternal flame falls and there's a parking lot, so start there. They have little flame signs along the entire way so you know where you are going which we were grateful for. My Hunter rain boots aren't great for hiking but some parts of the trail are so thin you're kind of forced to get your feet wet so rainboots let me hike more comfortably without worrying about wet socks. This waterfall is flowing over rock that emits gas from it. You can actually smell the sulfurish/propane like smell and that's where the eternal flame is lit!! Soo cool and we loved that you could walk right up to it! The flame could be out out and relit whenever as it's a constant flow of gas. It was lit when we went but if it isn't maybe you should bring your own lighter?
The Eternal Flame Falls is a beautiful, must see sight and a great hike! Hubby and I have gone a couple times and enjoyed each time equally. It never gets old. I believe there's 2 trails. We've only done one trail a couple of times. We appreciate the trails being guided with markers/numbers and the trails are pretty easily identifiable from so many people hiking on it. You will definitely get a work out. Some areas are a higher hike than others, but it's worth it and a lot of fun! I would recommend wearing good, sturdy hiking boots or something with good traction because some areas are very, very slippery! I did slip once when we got to the Eternal Flame. Definitely give this hike a try and check out the flame, falls and all the foliage!
Two friends and I recently visited and had a great time! The trail is beautiful and the path was clearly marked. There are a bit of roots in the trails, but as long as you're paying attention they're no big deal. To reach the flame, you have to walk down the creek... Not super far off the end of the trail. The flame behind the waterfall is VERY cool! Though the flame is not huge, you could feel the heat from it when you get up close. Though the flame and waterfall are the stars of the show, there a few offshoot trails the were pleasurable to traverse.
Simple, beautiful, and quick hike. I recommend stopping at George's for a quick bit afterwards.
This place is a pretty easy hike, with a little hop & skip over some water here and there. I would expect your shoes to get damp to wet, depending on how good you are at skipping/jumping over said water. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes for an average person (yes, I am calling myself average). I just barely got to see the flame as a group of girls who was there before me decided to blow it out as one of them had a lighter and read that you could relight the flame. She couldn't get it to light, however, so I didn't get the whole experience unfortunately. The few seconds I did see was really cool, as the flame is behind the waterfall. The wildest part to me was the actual smell of gas that you could easily smell (I promise, you cannot miss it) coming from this natural phenomenon. It is definitely worth the easy hike. Plenty of parking and other hikes to take in this section of the park as well. It's a smallish waterfall, but very pretty and serene feeling, with all the greenery and trees around it. I also went in July.
I haven't been here in a while, but this is one of my favorite hikes to do in the Buffalo area. It's always so beautiful and the eternal flame itself is so unique and amazing.
Coming in the winter, did NOT know what to expect. Ok we came In mid March but it has still been really cold and snowy. I came with my son, and my parents in their 60s. They are able bodied but not fit so I had no idea what to expect. I feel like a lot of the reviews I could find through Yelp, Facebook, Reddit and all trails were very mixed. A lot of people saying it's easy, my kids can do it, current conditions are not very icy, you don't need spikes, etc. and then a lot of it's a moderate hike, if you can't easily walk up 100 stairs you should not do it, very slippery, wear spikes, etc. We all survived. Some of us slipped a little on the icy areas, one fell a few times but no injuries. There are a lot of railings and tree bark to hold onto near the icy or technical areas. I would recommend spikes if it's icy to get a better grip. My son and I are probably beginner to intermediate hikers. For us this was a moderate hike. For an avid hiker this would be an easy hike. Strictly talking in icy, wet, snowy conditions. During dry weather I assume it's much easier. Still very doable if you are not super active as my parents are not. It was a really cool sight at the end and very beautiful scenery with all the snow. We actually had a great time and I was really worried about not being prepared enough and someone getting hurt which wasn't the case thankfully read more
Really enjoyed this trail! I'm not an avid hiker and this was easy enough for me. The trail is straight down and back and very easy to follow. There is plenty of parking and the signage was clear and easy to see. I went on a hot summer day and the creek bed was very dry so that also made it easy to hike. On days when it's more wet I'm sure it would be slippery so be sure to wear the correct gear. read more
3 months ago
Short hike. Takes maybe an hour or so max to get to the flame and back. Four stars because we had three dogs and a baby - I wasn't aware that there would be fallen trees I had to shimmy over or under with an infant strapped to me. Rocks are wet so be ready for shoes to be wet and things to get slippery. Worth it though! read more
3 months ago
3 years ago
It's been well over 10 years, since coming here, and on a nice warmer pre spring day, decided to check it out for updates that were made on the hiking trail. Even though this isn't a long hike, highly recommended if you plan to get a close view of eternal flame wear hiking boots, and anticipate walking through a bit of water, as you get closer to the flame. They did a great job, with trail markings and forming new path to get to the Eternal Flame. Just be cautious with footing on the steps along the trail, and most of all enjoy nature at its best. read more
2 years ago
Such a beautiful trail! It is dangerous in the winter, though I have also heard rumors it is closed in the winter. I went in December and was not able to make it all the way to the Eternal Flame due to ice on the path but it was beautiful and I look forward to going back in the Spring. read more
What a beautiful walk! I've heard about the eternal flame forever ago but somehow never visited until now. They just added steps this year in sections that I guess were pretty steep before. The walk is so nice and fairly easy until you hit the creek bed. Today was pretty dry, but you still needed to watch you step walking on the rocks in the water & at points over big logs. The trail, even without the eternal flame at the end, is beautiful. There's nothing as peaceful as walking through the woods. Obviously, the eternal flame would have been better with more water coming over the falls but was still amazing to see. Just thinking about the fact that the flame burns all the time behind a waterfall is crazy. Almost magical. Seeing more water just gives me reason to come back again sometime. 2023-88 read more
2 years ago
We started our drive here from Niagara Falls on the morning of our New Year. It was about an hour away with very minimal traffic once in the town, the scenic drive in the winter felt so calming and therapeutic, so needed. We arrived there around 12pm, the icic scenery was pure gorgeous. I have to say again so beautiful on the eyes nothing like Ive ever experienced. My young ones were so grateful as it was a first for them seeing that much snow, they really appreciated and took it all in. My 8 yr son described the trail as really fun parkour, he was all laughs, I couldn't keep up with him neat-less to say and I will say I almost slipped crossing the river as well as one or two times going down the steps - so beware, the ice is extra slippery. Once you get to the final waterfall where the eternal flame it is another beautiful wonder. While the flame wasn't lit and I didn't bring a lighter (tip - you can lit it yourself if it's not on) I still so much enjoyed the adventure, and highly recommend it! read more
This is a lovely hike. It's an out and back. You will walk along the creek bed for a while. It's got some up and down, and it's very slippery if it's been raining. Wear the right shoes. Tons of very easy parking in a few different places to get to this trail. 3/20 read more
2 years ago
Me and my husband try to hike here at least once a year because it really is such a natural wonder that we are so lucky to have so close to home. The county really does put a lot of time and effort into maintaining these trials which is much appreciated. They most recently installed a lot of stairs instead of using tree roots to get down to the eternal flame. This makes it a lot safer for hikers to get there. The trails inside of the gorge are pretty difficult to navigate right now with everything being very wet and slippery from the mud. It is a bit unsafe down there so I do wish the trails were a little wider but there's not much that could be done to improve them. It is such a gorgeous park and a great workout getting back up those stairs! There is plenty of parking available at the trailhead. Make sure to wear bug spray because it gets pretty bad near the water. Make sure to wear grippy shoes as well. read more
2 years ago
This is a great natural wonder near Buffalo, NY. Saw it on FB, and decided I had to see it. It was most definitely worth the trip, but I am glad I checked Yelp before going. It is a hike - about 1.2 miles in total, but it is not really difficult IF you wear the right clothing and shoes. You need to wear shoes that can go in the water, as it is much easier in some places to walk in the creek bed instead of on the trail. There are a lot of stairs - you are going downhill into the gorge on the trip in, and climbing out of the gorge on the trip out. There are stairs with railings, but they can be muddy and wet, so be prepared. I saw people in heels and flip flops, and cringed. It is a beautiful and amazing site. When I was there on a Thursday, it was fairly crowded, but not excessively. Definitely worth the visit! read more
Went on this hike at around 4/5 pm which is usually too late for me to hike. I just don't like being in the woods when it's dark! The hike is not long but it has been raining all week and it was muddy and slippery which made it more difficult. The google maps link to this hike I believe is more accurate but there is a sign that says eternal flame falls and there's a parking lot, so start there. They have little flame signs along the entire way so you know where you are going which we were grateful for. My Hunter rain boots aren't great for hiking but some parts of the trail are so thin you're kind of forced to get your feet wet so rainboots let me hike more comfortably without worrying about wet socks. This waterfall is flowing over rock that emits gas from it. You can actually smell the sulfurish/propane like smell and that's where the eternal flame is lit!! Soo cool and we loved that you could walk right up to it! The flame could be out out and relit whenever as it's a constant flow of gas. It was lit when we went but if it isn't maybe you should bring your own lighter? read more
7 years ago
The Eternal Flame Falls is a beautiful, must see sight and a great hike! Hubby and I have gone a couple times and enjoyed each time equally. It never gets old. I believe there's 2 trails. We've only done one trail a couple of times. We appreciate the trails being guided with markers/numbers and the trails are pretty easily identifiable from so many people hiking on it. You will definitely get a work out. Some areas are a higher hike than others, but it's worth it and a lot of fun! I would recommend wearing good, sturdy hiking boots or something with good traction because some areas are very, very slippery! I did slip once when we got to the Eternal Flame. Definitely give this hike a try and check out the flame, falls and all the foliage! read more
Two friends and I recently visited and had a great time! The trail is beautiful and the path was clearly marked. There are a bit of roots in the trails, but as long as you're paying attention they're no big deal. To reach the flame, you have to walk down the creek... Not super far off the end of the trail. The flame behind the waterfall is VERY cool! Though the flame is not huge, you could feel the heat from it when you get up close. Though the flame and waterfall are the stars of the show, there a few offshoot trails the were pleasurable to traverse. read more
This place is a pretty easy hike, with a little hop & skip over some water here and there. I would expect your shoes to get damp to wet, depending on how good you are at skipping/jumping over said water. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes for an average person (yes, I am calling myself average). I just barely got to see the flame as a group of girls who was there before me decided to blow it out as one of them had a lighter and read that you could relight the flame. She couldn't get it to light, however, so I didn't get the whole experience unfortunately. The few seconds I did see was really cool, as the flame is behind the waterfall. The wildest part to me was the actual smell of gas that you could easily smell (I promise, you cannot miss it) coming from this natural phenomenon. It is definitely worth the easy hike. Plenty of parking and other hikes to take in this section of the park as well. It's a smallish waterfall, but very pretty and serene feeling, with all the greenery and trees around it. I also went in July. read more
6 years ago
This trail is described as a moderate hike and I would agree with that. Although it's not necessarily difficult it is a lot of uneven terrain, tricky footing, walking through water, and stairs. Today was a chilly day so there was also a few icy patches. Overall this was a really great hike! We went in a Monday in December so there was no one else around which I prefer. I'm so glad I wore boots today - highly recommend shoes you can step in shallow water in. read more
A barely marked trail at the end of a long gravel parking lot, my wife and I were lucky we went when it was kind of deserted and we had the place all to ourselves. I liked how well marked the upper half of the hike was before you start to descend into the gorge below, at any given time you could see 2-3 trail markers ahead. Once you get to the bottom however it becomes a little dicey as the signs dry up quick and you're left to kind of figure out the path in your own (follow the creek). If you're going to go, bring your boots because we ended up walking across and through the creek more than a little bit. Also be warned that it's at least a little bit slippery in the winter months. Overall this was a nice trip and a short fun hike we were able to knock out in under an hour on a Monday afternoon. read more
Got very lucky when we visited the eternal flame falls today - we didn't think there had been much precipitation lately other than a bit of snow flurries a few days ago. We were wrong clearly because there was so much water flowing over the falls, truly was so beautiful!!! The flame is definitely a must see if you're near orchard park. Tip: definitely wear waterproof shoes / rain shoes or boots because there are times when you will actually have to cross through water on the way to the falls and these came in very handy!!! read more
This is a great trail, but expect heavy traffic especially on weekends and no school days. It's not difficult, but wear footwear with trustworthy grip. I went recently with my dog very last minute the day after heavy rain and didn't consider how slippery some spots would be. Easy markers to stay on path, no garbage cans on trail. read more
I love hiking, and am constantly looking for new places to explore. That is how I first heard about Eternal Flame Falls! How could you NOT want to check this place out? It was definitely a fun hike. Not as long as I thought it would be, though we got turned around a couple of times halfway through. The views are gorgeous. There are periodically roots to step over, and some ups and downs that may be hard for some. Little flame markers are strewn throughout to help guide you. There wasn't much of the "falls" the day we hiked, and it was more of a trickle. But we had so much fun and it was totally worth the trek! read more
I've visited this area a few times, but it seems like I've never actually been to the eternal flame itself. I guess we thought it was further back in the gorge, and passers-by never thought to send us in the right direction, which isn't really cool - but whatever. I got to see the eternal flame for the very first time today! There are markers nailed to trees along the trail with a little flame on it, plus a number (1-20) and if you follow these awesome signs they will eventually lead you to the eternal flame. This is a super cool hiking trail, one that has definitely prompted me to invest in a good pair of proper hiking boots. The trail definitely gets steep at times, and if it's rained recently you'll want to exercise a great amount of caution. I found myself slipping a little bit on my way down. Once you make your way down to the gorge you'll be thankful for that good pair of shoes because you'll probably be walking through/stepping in puddles on the way to the eternal flame. Once you get down to the gorge, hang left and keep walking - you'll eventually hit a sign that warns you against climbing the walls of the gorge. Going past that sign and all the way to the back will lead you to where the eternal flame rests! I lucked out - the flame was lit when I got there. It was a magical experience, walking up to where the water was flowing and seeing a little light behind the falls. So, so awesome. Pet-friendly, if your pet is a natural hiking/water dog like mine is. I probably wouldn't bring really young/little kids with you, since it would be tough to navigate the steep parts. read more
4 years ago
A beautiful area to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of nature.Lots of trails and hiking paths, under 2 miles to get to this magnificent wonder, the eternal flame.Nice place to take the family and spend an afternoon. You will not be disappointed, this is amazing. Plus plenty of free parking, so grab your sneakers and walking stick and be prepared to be fascinated !!! read more
4 years ago
Nice hiking and walking trails with great views.I really enjoyed the hike to find the eternal flame, it's amazing.It's a beautiful park to enjoy all year round, with plenty of free parking. The round trip hike is about two miles and the path is clearly marked when going to discover this nature's beauty. read more
To find the correct starting point, go past the main entrance to Chestnut Ridge Park and the second parking lot until you see a third parking lot in an open field with a wooden fence. There's plenty of parking but the Eternal Flame trail was pretty busy when I went. Most people were very respectful about sharing the trail and the view of the flame. There's a lot of warnings about climbing the cliffs and the waterfalls, and it's because children have died. Today I saw a poor girl hit the ground hard just from walking across the creek because those stones get really slippery so imagine trying to climb up a shale waterfall. For the most part, it's a pretty safe place as long as you exercise a modicum of caution and common sense. Be ready to get wet and muddy feet. The path is short, but it's steep and a bit tricky to navigate along the creek itself. read more
Beautiful trail to spend a few hours hiking. I suggest wearing sneakers with grip as it is very hilly. There are several trails mixed in, meaning you can go shorter or longer given your preference. Weekends are prime time and in the summer months expect a lot of people and pets to be on the trail with you. I would suggest a week day if possible to allow for a quieter more enjoyable experience. read more
This is a great afternoon activity for families, friends or dates. I went here hoping to do little geocaching, but the signal isn't great on a cell phone once you get under all that tree cover. I read reviews on Yelp and a few other places before heading out, so I was pretty confident it would be easy enough for me to handle. Let me just say when I was back at the car, I wanted to die. Corrections: BEFORE I was back at the car, I wanted to die. The terrain isn't so bad, but you do need to be careful since there are tree roots protruding from the ground everywhere you step! I had on good shoes, and was so glad I did! I have no idea how the family ahead of me completed this hike in flip flops! As you get closer to the flame, there are more obstacles, so be prepared for logs or lots of roots or stones and rocks. I saw a woman who appeared to be in her 60s fall flat on her face over a large log. Her family helped her up, and she seemed okay, but unless you're an experienced hiker and in great shape, it is not an easy hike no matter what you've read. The hike to the flame is pretty fun. I mean, you go down a few hills, you step over some rocks, you are in the sun, then the shade, then the sun, then the shade again. But after you've seen the flame, all those hills you walked down become hills you now have to walk up. And up. And uppppp. Oh my gawd I wanted to die. I packed Gatorade for the hike. And then I went to the back of the car to get my sunscreen, applied it, grabbed my hat, and forgot my Gatorade in the car. Also, I didn't grab a map when we started out and we went WAAAYYYY out of the way. We had to ask directions on our way back. I walked up wwaayy more hills than was necessary! I did get my Fitbit steps in for the day. That part was awesome. The flame was really cool (though I promised myself I'd sing the Bangles when I reached it, and forgot, so I'm bummed about that). I'm not sure if I'll go back for the flame, but I'll recommend it all day long & I may go back to find some cool geocaches (only I'll take a better GPS with me next time). read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
Great place! Short hike to the Eternal Flame. Only need 20 minutes to get to it. The forest itself is beautiful. The hike is easy but gets very tricky and slightly difficult near the fall because of all the fallen trees. Can also be very slippery. The park is open 7am all year round and close at dusk. Plenty of parking space. I was told by the couple I met that sometimes the flame goes out so bring a lighter to re-light it. It rained the night before I went and the next morning at 7:15am, the flame was brightly lit. read more
So yeah, if you've ever wanted to see a pocket of natural gas spring that can be ignited to create a flame behind a waterfall, you'll want to take the short hike back to the Eternal Flame Falls located inside Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, New York. The flame is actually housed in a small grotto just below half way up the waterfall. Natural gas is emitted in this grotto and actually creates a small flame! It's the neatest thing and a great opportunity for photographers to take some unusual looking photos. The hike is short and not too strenuous. I would bring water, just in case, and follow the trail which is clearly marked. Once you get down to the shale creek you can pretty much walk inside the creek. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet, especially if you want to get right up to the waterfall. Be careful not to slip on the shale. No matter the time of year, the eternal flame shins bright. I remember when I was younger my dad made my brother and I extinguish the flame and relight it. I'm a bit nervous about the fact we extinguished an "eternal" flame. Oh well, the point is the flame can be re-lit :) Take the hike, you won't be disappointed! read more
I'm almost sure I've reviewed this before but here we go anyway...The Eternal Flame is a Buffalo treasure and a place I've been to way more times than I can count. It's seriously awesome and beautiful and just a unique geographical feature. I love the hike from the orange trail down the road as it's a nice 2.5 mile in and out trail for an afternoon with this beauty as your prize for taking the walk. It's a seriously crowded place at almost all times and especially weekends. For the love of god don't wear flip flops, you're going to trip and get hurt and ruin this place for others. There are loads of doggos here as well which is also amazing. The eternal flame falls is stunning really almost any time of year and the forest around you changes nearly every time you visit. This is a seriously special place and even though there are already too many people here as it is, it's not to be missed. read more
Such a soothing and clean trail. Perfect for everyone of all ages! Its also a perfect place to walk your dogs! Make sure you wear sturdy shoes. There are lots of muddy and rocky ground. The tiny streams were so calm and clean. This is such a respectable trail. It's super clean, small, and perfect for hiking dates or bonding time with friends and family :)! read more
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More info about Eternal Flame Falls
Eternal Flame Hiking Trl
Orchard Park, NY 14127
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Ask the Community - Eternal Flame Falls
I see it's slippery during wet weather. Coming in March, it should be wet during that time. Would we be able to do this? I'm fit and a moderate hiker but coming with 2 people in their 60s who are healthy but not super fit?
