Edward M. SmathersIt turns out that fire and water do play well with each other!
Eternal Flame Falls is located in Chestnut Ridge Park but requires you to enter from a small trail off Chestnut Ridge Rd. (Rt. 277) for easiest access to this particular portion of Shale Creek.
Eternal Flame Falls is a 30′ waterfall that has a unique feature that no other known natural waterfall possesses and, as the name suggests, it is well worth a visit almost any time of the year. The waterfall has a small portion near the bottom that expells natural gas year round. During normal conditions, this will almost always be lit, but if it is not you can light the flame yourself! You can find this spot easily since it is located in a small indent about 5′ up from the base and slightly right of the center of the fall.
The trails are well maintained and wide. Other than the initial descent into the creekbed, the trails are not too steep, so most individuals could make the trip to visit this location.
Waterfall Name: Eternal Flame Falls
Alternative Name(s): n/a
Phone: …..
Website: …..
Classification: Analysis in Progress
Height: 30′
Crest: 10′
Access/Location Classification: Accessible/May not be verified
Waterway: Shale Creek
Cave/Forest/Preserve Name: Chestnut Ridge Park
Clove/Gulch/Valley/Glen: n/a
Gorge/Hollow/Gulf/Gully/Ravine/Chasm: n/a
Lat/Long: 42.701722, -78.751542
Altitude (Appx Meters): 344.6
Town: Orchard Park
County: Erie
NYS Tourism Region: Niagara Frontier
NYS Tourism: https://esd.ny.gov/industries/tourism
NYDEC Region: Western New York
NYDEC Contact: https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html
Parking: 42.70249, -78.74767
Parking Notes: …..
Trail head: 42.70249, -78.74767
Trail Notes: .56 mile
We are in the process of collecting trails via www.WikiLoc.com, which we will make available in the near future. “Analysis In Progress”, “TBD”, and empty fields denote information currently being collected.
SOURCES –
Originator: Russell Dunn
Source 2: Edward M. Smathers (www.DigTheFalls.com)
Source 3: www.bobbieswaterfalls.net
Source 4: Western New York all outdoors Atlas & Field Guide Publication 2008 111 B4 200 Waterfalls In Central And Western New York By Rich And Sue Freeman Eternal FlameTrail Map
