Eternal Flame Hiking Trailhead Parking — Attraction in Town of Orchard Park

Let me start off by saying if you do not intend on hiking up and down hill for approximately 2.8 miles to the eternal Flame and back(1.4 mi each way), then this may not be the spot for you.. BUT if you like an adventure, LOVE nature and waterfalls like my self this is the place for you. BRING A JACKET because it gets pretty cold being pretty much covered by trees especially during fall and winter months. And i wouldnt recommend taking your Pups, but you are allowed just please keep them leashed. Also, recommend running or hiking shoes, as it gets pretty steep and slippery in some spots. The scenery is amazing and their are many small waterfalls on the way to the eternal flame. Be sure to stay on the path, and follow the Flame signs on the tree's!! Their is a bigger waterfalls that you cross getting to the Flame that is very beautiful, and the waterfall at the eternal Flame is absolutely stunning. The smell from the natural gasses has a slight rotten egg smell but it isn't bad enough that you can't enjoy the View. You can get very close to the eternal Flame and can capture amazing pictures and videos! Highly...

Oh man! This place was awesome. Easy to find the trail head entrance. I parked in the main park entrance lot. There were a couple of other people who came from the other side and were having a hard time finding the path, and it seemed as though it was as clearly marked as this main entrance. Everything was well marked to help you along the way. The river was pretty low, so it was very easy to walk comfortably through the river in sections where the path itself was a little angled. I could see that after a heavy rain or during the time of yesr where water flows heavy, go prepared to get wet. The trail that walks along the rivers edge can be muddy and slippery in areas. Now, would the pictures be epic with a heavier waterfall, YES! When I do it again, it will be with the hope to see if with more of a waterflow, but now that I know what to expect on the hike, I can go prepared. It still was extremely impressive. I went in the month of July at around 6 pm. There were only 1 or 2 other people there, which was very nice. It was a little warm but not unbearable. Bottom line super cool and easy enough to do again...

The flame behind the water is neat. Nice walk through the trees. Hard to explain that there's nothing to do there But definitely worth the trip. Free attraction. You hike in-not handicap friendly. It's lovely seeing between the trees. It was a little slippy in spots. You follow little numbered flame signs; there are 20. Park at the trailhead for most direct access. It was free to park here. You go into the grove and follow a u-shaped trail, forward and to the left. There was a temperature drop when we got to the treeline. Mid-June was green and lush. There's a pleasant woodsy, earthy aroma through the trees and a sulfur/rotten egg smell near the flame (it wasn't overwhelmingly strong). As for facilities, there's a port-a-potty in the parking lot. You do hike back the same way you come in, in reverse. We went earlier in the day to avoid crowds. Most visitors were courteous to each other; tried to allow others to get photos. We hung around for some time just enjoying the view, nature and serenity. There is more park to explore but we found other area...