You may have seen waterfalls in your life time–Central Park is even home to a few of its own–but we doubt you’ve ever seen any like this!
Located just 25 minutes outside of Buffalo, New York is Eternal Flame Falls: the only one of its kind in the world. And if you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway, let it be this.
Eternal Flame Falls is a 35 foot tall cascading waterfall split into two segments: a top segment with a narrow cascade nearly 8 feet high and a lower segment that spreads out more than twice the width as it cascades down. But it’s not the water we’re interested in–at least not entirely.
A small grotto to the right of the cascading water houses a natural gas leak that produces an “eternal flame” varying from 3-9 inches in height depending on the natural gas pressure. While most natural gas leaks are methane, the Eternal Flame is 35% ethane and propane, making it extremely rare.
According to Discovery, the flame is believed to be lit thousands of years ago by Native Americans. Though scientists for a long time believed that the fire burned due to gas pockets rising from the old, hot bedrock made of shale, that was eventually disproved.
To this day researchers still don’t know exactly how the flame stays lit.
Atlas Obscura writes that the falls have even “inspired some active imaginations resulting in legends and sightings of elves in the area!” Though, similar to the theory behind what causes the flame to stay lit, these legends have also been disproved.
Though the falls are open daily year-round from 7 am to 9 pm, the best time to visit Eternal Flame Falls if you want to see the water cascading is in the early spring, says NY Falls, as it’ll most likely be dry in warm weather and dangerously slippery in the winter. The falls are usually dry from late spring through fall.
And while the hike there is only about half a mile, it can get quite muddy during the rainy season so be sure to wear a good pair of hiking shoes!
As for if it’s worth the hype, TripAdvisor reviewers who have seen the falls for themselves refer to it as “unbelievable and amazing,” “absolutely gorgeous,” and “unlike anything [they’ve] ever seen.” So if you ask us, we’d say it’s definitely well worth the trip!
Eternal Flame Falls is located in an isolated part of Chestnut Ridge Park called the Shale Creek Preserve. While there are several hiking trails in the park, these falls has grown so popular that a separate parking area and trailhead were established some years ago, making access to them even easier.
The trail starts from the parking lot and trail markers with flames on them guide you the entire way to the falls. And even if you’re a hiking newbie don’t worry, it’s not the most treacherous hike in the world.
Pro tip: despite the falls’ reputation for being “eternal,” the flame actually does go out every now and then when winds blow water into the grotto, so be sure to bring a lighter with you!
📍 Chestnut Ridge Park, Town of Orchard Park, Erie County, NY
🚗 About 7 hours from NYC driving