Trip Overview
Ricketts Glen State Park in Sullivan County sits at the edge of the Appalachian Plateau, where three stream branches have spent millennia carving a series of gorges so steep and water-rich that 21 separate waterfalls earned their own names. The centerpiece is the Falls Trail — a 7.2-mile loop rated 4.9★ with over 9,100 reviews on AllTrails, making it the most-reviewed hike in Pennsylvania. The loop descends into Kitchen Creek Gorge past waterfalls ranging from 11 to 94 feet, including Ganoga (94ft), Mohican (47ft), and Oneida (36ft). Combine the waterfall hike with the Highland Trail along the plateau rim and a day at Lake Jean for a complete three-day weekend.
- Duration: 3 days
- Base: Benton, PA (park campground or cabins)
- Best months: April–June (peak water flow), October (fall color)
- Permits: None for hiking; campsite reservation on reserveamerica.com
- Drive from Philadelphia: ~2.5 hours · NYC: ~3 hours · Pittsburgh: ~4 hours
Day 1 — Arrive and Falls Trail Lower Loop
Arrive by early afternoon and check into the park campground at Lake Jean. Set up camp, then hike the lower half of the Falls Trail as an evening warm-up — the Ganoga Glen and Glen Leigh branches between the Lake Rose trailhead and the lower junction are easiest accessed from the eastern parking area. This 3.4-mile out-and-back gives you the highest waterfalls (Ganoga, Mohican, Oneida, Adams, Erie) with light traffic in late afternoon. The light filtering through the gorge in the final hour before sunset is exceptional.
In midsummer, the park gets crowded by 9am on weekends. An afternoon arrival followed by an early morning return for the full loop is the right play.
Day 2 — Full Falls Trail Loop
Start by 7am. The complete 7.2-mile Falls Trail loop crosses every named waterfall on the property. The standard counterclockwise route descends Ganoga Glen (11 falls) to the bottom of the gorge, then climbs Highland Glen back up. The trail is rocky and rooted throughout — trekking poles help significantly on the wet stone steps near the falls. Total elevation gain is approximately 1,000 feet spread over the full loop. Plan 4–5 hours moving time; most hikers take 5–7 hours with photo stops.
The key falls on Ganoga Glen: Ganoga (94ft) — the tallest and most dramatic, with a free-fall section and a boulder viewing area; Mohican (47ft) — horseshoe-shaped plunge pool; Oneida (36ft) — wide curtain fall over a sandstone lip. On Highland Glen: Murray Reynolds (16ft) and Sheldon Reynolds (36ft) — both less visited and more atmospheric in fog or light rain.
On AllTrails: Falls Trail sits at 4.9★ from 9,100+ reviews. The top Reddit comment on r/hiking's Pennsylvania thread: "Nothing in the East touches Ricketts Glen for sheer waterfall density. The gorge section in early May with runoff is genuinely jaw-dropping."
Day 3 — Highland Trail and Lake Jean
The Highland Trail (5.7 miles, AllTrails 4.6★
Lake Jean has a small boat launch with canoe and kayak rentals (in-season). The swimming beach is one of the better inland swimming spots in the state — clean water, sandy bottom, and a backdrop of hemlock and hardwood hillsides.
Where to Stay
The park campground at Lake Jean has electric and non-electric sites, plus 10 modern cabins. Book early — summer and October weekends fill months in advance on reserveamerica.com. The Hemlock Hills tent area near the waterfall trailhead is the best location for avoiding crowds at the parking area. The nearest motels are in Bloomsburg (~30 min) if the campground is full.
Gear Notes
- Trekking poles — the wet rock steps near falls are genuinely slippery; poles make a real difference
- Waterproof hiking boots — stream crossings and perpetually damp trail surfaces throughout the gorge
- Rain jacket — the gorge holds moisture; it will feel wet even on dry days
- Headlamp for early starts — the parking area fills by 8am on summer weekends
