Information
Landmark: Eternal Flame FallsCity: Buffalo
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Eternal Flame Falls, Buffalo, USA New York, North America
Overview
Tucked inside Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, New York, just beyond Buffalo, Eternal Flame Falls is a rare sight-a waterfall with a small flicker of fire dancing behind its curtain of water.People know it for the small yet striking “eternal flame” that flickers at the base of a roaring 35‑foot waterfall.A natural gas seep beneath the waterfall keeps the flame alive, creating one of the rare spots on Earth where fire flickers just inches from rushing water.The location sits in Chestnut Ridge Park, Erie County’s largest green space, sprawling over 1,200 acres of forests, winding trails, and waterfalls that tumble into clear, cool pools.Near the park’s western edge, the falls lie at the end of a hiking trail that winds through thick stands of pine, hemlock, and hardwood, where the air smells faintly of resin.The park draws hikers, picnickers, birdwatchers, and photographers, with the roar and mist of the falls making them the star attraction.The Eternal Flame is a rare sight-a small, steady fire fueled by methane and other hydrocarbons seeping up from deep within the Rhinestreet Shale.Gas slips through hairline cracks in the rock behind the waterfall, and when lit, it burns into a steady flame about 6 to 12 inches high, flickering softly in the mist.The flame dances without pause, sheltered from the gusts by jutting rocks and the curtain of falling water.The flame runs on natural gas seeping from underground, so it can burn for years, flickering steadily, as long as the flow doesn’t stop.Now and then, a splash of water or a sudden gust snuffs out the flame, but visitors quickly spark it back to life with a lighter or the scratch of a match.From the parking lot, it’s about three-quarters of a mile to Eternal Flame Falls, a walk that takes you past damp leaves and mossy rocks-roughly a mile and a half if you’re going there and back.The trail’s a decent workout, with uneven ground underfoot, a few creaky wooden steps, and rocks slick from the creek.Workers recently installed about 139 sturdy wooden box steps and 120 feet of smooth handrails, making the trail safer and easier to navigate.Hikers move quietly beneath a canopy of shade, breathing in cool, damp air while a nearby stream murmurs over smooth stones.The trail winds beside a narrow creek, then opens onto a bluff where you can watch the waterfall tumble-and spot the eternal flame flickering just behind its mist.Spring and early summer are the sweetest times to go, when snowmelt and fresh rain send the waterfall roaring over the rocks.After a downpour, the falls roar with power, mist cooling your face, but the trail turns slick and muddy, so sturdy hiking boots are a must.You can see the flame any time of year, but on windy or rainy days it’s harder to catch-sometimes a sudden gust snuffs it out for a while.On weekdays, especially in the early morning, you’ll find fewer people around and a quiet calm in the air.For your safety and to protect the fragile plants, stick to the marked trail-you don’t want to risk a muddy slip.Mind your step-slick rocks and the damp edges of the creek can trip you up fast.The flame’s an intriguing sight, but it sits close to water where the rocks can be slick-step carefully if you go near.safeTake every bit of trash with you, even that crumpled snack wrapper, and leave the place looking untouched to keep its natural beauty.If you love photography, you’ll catch incredible shots when sunlight catches the waterfall’s mist and a nearby flame flickers in the breeze.Nearby, Chestnut Ridge Park invites you to wander its extra trails, spread a blanket in the picnic grove, let the kids loose on the playground, or glide across snowy paths during winter’s cross-country ski season.The park has more to discover, including hidden waterfalls and overlooks where you can feel the wind on your face.In Orchard Park, you can grab a warm meal at a cozy café and find a comfortable place to stay for the night.At Eternal Flame Falls, visitors can watch a tiny orange flame flicker behind a curtain of rushing water-a rare and striking meeting of fire and stone.With its blend of rare features, a quiet forest backdrop, and a trail you can stroll without effort, it’s the kind of place nature lovers, hikers, and the curious won’t want to miss-imagine sunlight flickering through the leaves as you walk.
