Buttermilk Falls Natural Area

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It's a beautiful day at the waterfall, a beautiful day at the waterfall. Hi, readers. Today, we are going to check out Mr. Rogers' waterfall, or rather Buttermilk Falls at the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, located in New Florence in Indiana County. You may be wondering why I started off with references to the beloved television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The answer is quite simple. The land surrounding Buttermilk Falls was once owned by Fred Rogers' grandfather, Fred McFeely. As a boy, Fred Rogers would visit his grandfather at the Buttermilk Falls property and explore the natural and peaceful surroundings of the property, including the 45 foot tall waterfall. Decades later, in 1995, the 48 acres of land around Buttermilk Falls was donated to Indiana County Parks so everyone can enjoy this waterfall.

Located just south of US Route 22 in the southern edges of Indiana County, visitors to Buttermilk Falls Natural Area can expect to find a picnic area, a few hiking/walking trails, a number of stone foundations and retaining walls, and of course, one of the highest waterfalls in Western Pennsylvania. The foundations and retaining walls were from when Fred McFeely owned the property between 1930 and 1956. Visitors to the park can also take a walk down the McFeely Trail, which is a nature loop trail. The shining star of the Buttermilk Falls are the scenic views of the waterfall. There is a short trail to an observation area to see the waterfall. When I visited in November 2017, there was a bridge and stairway being constructed so that you can walk behind the waterfall as well. While I couldn't venture past the observation area that day due to the construction, I could envision how a young Mr. Rogers would have enjoyed this waterfall.

Sources and Links:
Indiana County Parks and Trails - Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
Indiana County Parks and Trails - Buttermilk Falls Gallery
Uncovering PA - Visiting Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County

How to Get There:
Location: Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, 570 Valley Brook Rd, New Florence, PA 15944, USA

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