Pennsylvania Is Quietly a Waterfall State
People do not think of Pennsylvania first when they picture waterfalls, but the Allegheny Plateau and Pocono escarpment are riddled with creeks that drop over hard sandstone and shale ledges. The result is dozens of accessible cascades, from a single roadside ribbon to gorges packed with two dozen falls in a row. This guide covers the best waterfall hikes in the state and, just as important, when to go so the falls are actually flowing. For a full route that strings several of them together, see our 10-day Pennsylvania outdoor itinerary.
The Best Waterfall Hikes in Pennsylvania
A handful of trails stand above the rest for sheer payoff:
- Ricketts Glen Falls Trail (Benton): the crown jewel, with 21 named waterfalls including 94-foot Ganoga Falls on a single 7.2-mile loop
- Bushkill Falls (Poconos): the privately run Niagara of Pennsylvania, with boardwalks past a 100-foot main falls
- Hawk Falls, Hickory Run State Park: a short, family-friendly walk to a wide plunge near the Lehigh Gorge
- Dingmans Falls, Delaware Water Gap: a flat boardwalk to the second-tallest falls in the state
- Glen Onoko area, Lehigh Gorge: dramatic falls near Jim Thorpe, though access has shifted, so confirm current trail status
When the Falls Run Strongest
Timing matters more for waterfalls than almost any other kind of hike. Volume depends on recent rain and snowmelt, so plan around the wet seasons:
- Spring (late March to May): the best overall window, with snowmelt and rain driving peak flow
- After heavy rain: visit one or two days after a storm any time of year for a surge
- Fall (October): moderate flow but unbeatable foliage framing the water
- Late summer: the weakest period, when many smaller falls slow to a trickle
If you only have one trip, aim for a spring weekend after a rainy week, or early October for the color.
Where to Base Yourself
Pennsylvania's waterfalls cluster in three regions. The Endless Mountains around Benton and Lake Jean give you Ricketts Glen. The Poconos near Stroudsburg and the Delaware Water Gap hold Bushkill, Dingmans, and Raymondskill falls within a short drive of each other. The Laurel Highlands in the southwest add Ohiopyle State Park, where the Youghiogheny River churns over Ohiopyle Falls. Pick a region and you can usually hit three or four falls in a single day.
Trail Safety Around Waterfalls
Most waterfall accidents in Pennsylvania happen the same way: someone climbs onto wet rock above or beside a falls and slips. Stay on marked trails and behind railings, especially at Ricketts Glen and along the Lehigh Gorge, where the stone is slick year-round. Wear shoes with real tread, keep children within arm's reach near the lips of falls, and never wade into the pool above a drop.
What to Pack for a Waterfall Day
Mist keeps these trails damp, so dress for it:
- Grippy footwear: the single most important item near wet rock
- A light rain shell: spray off big falls soaks you faster than you expect
- Trekking poles: a help on the stone staircases at Ricketts Glen
- Offline maps: cell coverage is thin in most of these gorges
Turn It Into a Road Trip
The smartest way to see Pennsylvania's waterfalls is to chain them with the state's other outdoor highlights, the Pine Creek Gorge, Cherry Springs dark skies, and Pocono whitewater, rather than chasing each one separately. Our Pennsylvania outdoor road trip lays out a 10-day loop that hits the best of them at the right time of year.
