Northeastern Pennsylvania · Falls Trail

Ricketts Glen State Park:
A Waterfall Weekend Itinerary

A weekend built around the Ricketts Glen waterfalls hike: the Falls Trail past 21 named waterfalls, the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen loop, 94-foot Ganoga Falls, and Lake Jean.

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Headline hikeFalls Trail21 waterfalls in one gorge

Duration2 DaysA full waterfall weekend

DifficultyStrenuousWet, steep, rocky steps

EntryFreePA state park · free parking

Best seasonSpring & FallHigh water · or peak color

Est. cost~$250per person · no flights

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Build your own Ricketts Glen weekend, drag, reorder & map it.

Drag stops between the two days, swap the full Falls Trail loop for a shorter waterfall walk, and add your own overlooks and the Lake Jean beach with the place search. The live map and drive times recalculate as you go.

10Stops total

2 DaysFalls Trail + lake + tower

~7.2 miFull Falls Trail loop

Live mapUpdates as you drag

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Your trip plan

Drag, reorder & build your Ricketts Glen weekend.

Reorder the weekend however you want: do the big Falls Trail loop first or save it for cooler morning hours, swap in a shorter Highland Trail option, add the Lake Jean beach, then export the whole route to Google Maps in one click.

10 stops · 2 days · route updates live as you dragOpen full route in Google Maps ↗

Days2

Stops10

Lodges1

Est. lodgingfrom $1301 nights · per room (2 adults) · summer from-rates

Day 1

The Falls Trail

6 stops~5.9h · 0.9h drive

drive

Drive from Bloomsburg, PA

~40 min · arrive early for parking

Ricketts Glen sits in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, about 40 minutes from Bloomsburg and roughly an hour from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport (AVP). Head out early, especially on fall and summer weekends, because the trailhead lots fill by mid-morning. Download an offline map, since cell service in the gorge is spotty.

~40 min from BloomsburgLots fill by mid-morningSpotty cell in the gorge

view

Lake Rose trailhead

Free parking · top of the loop

Most hikers start the Falls Trail from the Lake Rose trailhead at the top of the loop, where parking is free. From here you can drop into Ganoga Glen, reach Waters Meet, and climb back up Glen Leigh, doing both glens in one continuous loop. The PA-118 trailhead lower down is the alternative for reaching the lower falls.

Free parkingTop of the Falls Trail loopPA-118 lot is the lower option

hike

Ganoga Glen & Ganoga Falls

94-ft falls · steep wet steps

Drop down Ganoga Glen past a string of waterfalls to Ganoga Falls, at 94 feet the tallest in the park. The trail is wet stone steps and rooty ledges, slick with spray and moss, with steep drop-offs beside the creek, so take the descent slowly and use trekking poles. This is the showpiece half of the loop.

Ganoga Falls · 94 ftTallest in the parkSteep wet stone steps

view

Waters Meet

Where the two glens join

Waters Meet is the junction where Ganoga Glen and Glen Leigh come together and the east and west branches of Kitchen Creek join. It is the midpoint of the loop: from here you turn and climb back up the other glen past Oneida, Mohawk, and more waterfalls before closing the loop on the Highland Trail.

Junction of the two glensLoop midpointClimb back up Glen Leigh

hike

Glen Leigh climb

Oneida, Mohawk & more falls

From Waters Meet, climb up Glen Leigh past Wyandot, B. Reynolds, R. B. Ricketts, Ozone, Huron, Shawnee, Oneida, and Mohawk Falls, then finish on the Highland Trail back to the trailhead. Going up this side, rather than down, keeps both steep descents off your tired legs. Budget 4 to 6 hours for the full 7.2-mile loop.

Up Glen Leigh past more falls~7.2 mi full loopFinish on the Highland Trail

lodge

Stay in Bloomsburg

Most hotels · ~40 min to the park

There is no lodge inside Ricketts Glen, so base in Bloomsburg, which has the most hotels and sits about 40 minutes from the park. The area near Wilkes-Barre is another easy option, and tiny Benton is the closest town to the trailheads. Book ahead on prime fall and summer weekends.

No in-park lodgeMost hotels nearby~40 min to the trailheads

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Day 2

Lake Jean & Grand View

4 stops1 tour~5.1h · 0.6h drive

About this route

One gorge, 21 waterfalls, all in one weekend.

Ricketts Glen State Park sits in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, and its claim to fame is the Falls Trail, a hike that threads 21 named waterfalls through a deep gorge of old-growth hemlock. Two streams, Kitchen Creek's east and west branches, carve parallel glens, Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen, that meet at a junction called Waters Meet, and the trail strings the falls together one after another.

This 2-day weekend is built around the Ricketts Glen waterfalls hike: the full Falls Trail loop combining both glens (about 7.2 miles, strenuous), passing Ganoga Falls at 94 feet, the tallest in the park, plus Mohawk, Oneida, and many more. Day two slows down with Lake Jean, a swimming beach and boating, the easier Highland Trail, and the Grand View fire tower for a long look over the Endless Mountains.

Late spring brings the highest, loudest water, and fall brings the color, so those are the two best times to come. The catch is the footing: the Falls Trail is steep, the stone steps are slick with spray and moss, and in the cold months the route can ice over. The park sometimes closes the Falls Trail from roughly December through March for safety, and microspikes are required when it is open in winter, so always check current conditions first.

Spring ✓ BestSummerFall ✓ BestWinter

Old-growth hemlock gorge and tiered waterfalls along the Falls Trail, Ricketts Glen State Park

The Falls Trail, Lake Jean & Grand View · northeastern Pennsylvania

Conditions watch

The Falls Trail is steep and the stone steps stay wet and slippery year-round, so grippy shoes are non-negotiable. In cold months the trail can ice over and the park sometimes closes it from about December to March for safety; when it is open in winter, microspikes are required. Check the PA DCNR Ricketts Glen page for current trail status before you drive out.

Ricketts Glen in photos

Ganoga Falls, the 94-foot tallest waterfall in Ricketts Glen State Park

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Ganoga Falls · 94 ft, the tallest in the park

A tiered waterfall on the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen

Photo: Michael S / Pexels

The Falls Trail · 21 named waterfalls

Waters Meet where Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen join at Ricketts Glen

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Waters Meet · where the two glens join

Old-growth hemlock forest in the gorge at Ricketts Glen

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Old-growth hemlock · the gorge canopy

Lake Jean with its swimming beach at Ricketts Glen State Park

Photo: frank Nkurunziza / Pexels

Lake Jean · beach, swimming & boating

Day one

The Falls Trail · Glen Leigh, Ganoga Glen & 21 waterfalls

This is the headline day. The classic Ricketts Glen waterfalls hike is the full Falls Trail loop (about 7.2 miles, strenuous), which links both glens. Most hikers start from the Lake Rose trailhead, drop down Ganoga Glen past Ganoga Falls (94 feet, the tallest in the park), reach Waters Meet where the two streams join, then climb back up Glen Leigh past Oneida, Mohawk, and a string of others before closing the loop on the Highland Trail.

Take it slow: the trail is built from wet stone steps and rooty ledges, slick with spray and moss, with steep drop-offs beside the creek. Go down one glen and up the other so you are never doing both descents on tired legs, and budget 4 to 6 hours with photo stops. There is no shortcut once you commit to the loop, so carry water and snacks and start in the morning, especially in fall when the lots fill fast.

Falls Trail loop · Glen Leigh + Ganoga Glen
~7.2 mi loop · strenuous · 21 waterfalls · wet rocky steps
Ganoga Falls
94 ft · the tallest waterfall in the park · in Ganoga Glen
Waters Meet
Where Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen join · the loop's midpoint
Park at Lake Rose or the PA-118 trailhead
Free parking · Lake Rose for the upper loop, PA-118 for the lower falls

Wear grippy shoes, rocks are slickStrenuous · ~7.2 mi loopStart early in fall, lots fill

Ricketts Glen trip tips

The stone steps stay wet and slippery in every season. Wear grippy, broken-in shoes or trail runners and use trekking poles on the descents.
Go down one glen and up the other so both steep sections are not on tired legs. Budget 4 to 6 hours for the full 7.2-mile loop with photo stops.
Lake Rose is the usual upper trailhead; the PA-118 trailhead reaches the lower falls. Parking is free, but arrive in the morning, especially on fall weekends when lots fill fast.

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Ganoga Falls · 94 ft, the tallest waterfall on the Falls Trail

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

The Falls Trail

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Waters Meet

Want to shorten the Falls Trail loop, add the Lake Jean beach, or flip the two days?Open the free planner to drag stops between days, add your own stops, and map the whole route live.

Day two

Lake Jean, the Highland Trail & the Grand View fire tower

Photo: frank Nkurunziza / Pexels

Lake Jean · the easy, scenic counterpoint to the gorge

Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels

Hemlock glen

Fall color over the forest at Ricketts Glen State Park

Photo: - landsmann - / Pexels

Autumn color

After yesterday's climb, day two is a slower one. Start at Lake Jean, the park's 245-acre lake, where there is a sand swimming beach in season and boating, kayaking, and canoeing on the water. It is the easy, scenic counterpoint to the gorge, and a fine place for a morning swim or a paddle before the afternoon heats up.

For more walking without the cliffs, the Highland Trail rolls through the woods above the glens and past Midway Crevasse, a narrow squeeze between huge boulders, and it links the tops of the two glens if you want a gentler loop. Finish at the Grand View fire tower, reached by a short trail, for a long look over the Endless Mountains and the surrounding forest. Getting home: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport (AVP) is about an hour away, and Bloomsburg and Wilkes-Barre both sit within easy reach for the drive out.

Lake Jean · beach & boating
245-acre lake · sand swimming beach in season · kayak & canoe
Highland Trail
Gentler woods loop · Midway Crevasse · links the two glen tops
Grand View fire tower
Short trail to the tower · views over the Endless Mountains
Getting home: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP)
About 1 hour to the airport · Bloomsburg & Wilkes-Barre nearby

Swim at Lake Jean in seasonHighland Trail is the gentler optionAVP airport ~1 hr away

Ricketts Glen trip tips

Lake Jean has a guarded sand swimming beach in season plus boat, kayak, and canoe access. Check the PA DCNR page for current beach hours and rental availability.
The Highland Trail is the gentle alternative to the Falls Trail, looping through the woods past Midway Crevasse and connecting the tops of the two glens.
The Grand View fire tower is a short, easy walk for a big payoff view. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport (AVP) is about an hour out, so leave time for the drive.

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Now build your Ricketts Glen weekend.

You've seen both days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your pace, and whether you base in Bloomsburg, Benton, or near Wilkes-Barre.

Logistics & tips

What we actually learned in the gorge.

Wear grippy shoes, the rocks are slick

The Falls Trail is built from wet stone steps and rooty ledges that stay slippery with spray and moss in every season. Grippy trail runners or hiking shoes are essential, and trekking poles help on the steep descents. Most injuries here are simple slips.

Do the full loop, not an out-and-back

The classic route drops down one glen and climbs back up the other, meeting at Waters Meet, about 7.2 miles total and rated strenuous. Going down one side and up the other keeps both steep sections off tired legs. Budget 4 to 6 hours with photo stops.

Come in late spring or fall

Late spring brings the highest, loudest water as the snowmelt and rain feed the falls, and fall brings peak color through the hemlock and hardwoods. Summer is fine but lower-water; weekends in both prime seasons get busy, so start early.

Check winter status before you go

In cold months the Falls Trail can ice over and the park sometimes closes it from about December through March for safety. When it is open in winter, microspikes are required. Always check the PA DCNR Ricketts Glen page for current trail conditions first.

Parking is free, but lots fill

Ricketts Glen is a Pennsylvania state park with free entry and free parking. The Lake Rose trailhead serves the upper loop and the PA-118 trailhead reaches the lower falls. On fall and summer weekends the lots fill by mid-morning, so arrive early.

Carry water and there is no shortcut

Once you commit to the Falls Trail loop there is no easy bail-out partway through the gorge. Carry water and snacks, plan your full mileage, and tell someone your route. Cell service in the gorge is spotty, so download a map before you start.

Common questions

Everything you'll actually want to know.

How long is the Ricketts Glen waterfalls hike?

The full Falls Trail loop, which combines Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen and passes all 21 named waterfalls, is about 7.2 miles and rated strenuous. Most hikers start from the Lake Rose trailhead, go down one glen to Waters Meet and up the other, then close the loop on the Highland Trail. Plan on 4 to 6 hours with photo stops. Shorter options reach the lower falls from the PA-118 trailhead.

How many waterfalls are there at Ricketts Glen?

The Falls Trail passes 21 named waterfalls through a gorge of old-growth hemlock. The tallest is Ganoga Falls at 94 feet, in Ganoga Glen, and others include Mohawk, Oneida, and many more. The two glens, Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen, meet at a junction called Waters Meet, and the trail strings the falls together one after another.

When is the best time to hike Ricketts Glen?

Late spring and fall are the best times. Late spring brings the highest, loudest water from snowmelt and rain, while fall brings peak color through the hemlock and hardwoods. Summer is fine but the falls run lower. Both prime seasons get busy on weekends, so arrive early to get parking and beat the crowds in the gorge.

Is the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen open in winter?

Not always. In cold months the Falls Trail can ice over and the park sometimes closes it from roughly December through March for safety. When it is open in winter, microspikes are required because the wet stone steps freeze solid. Always check the PA DCNR Ricketts Glen page for current trail status before you drive out.

Is the Falls Trail hard or dangerous?

It is rated strenuous and demands care. The trail is built from wet stone steps and rooty ledges, slick with spray and moss, with steep drop-offs beside the creek. The danger is mostly slips, so wear grippy shoes, use trekking poles on the descents, and take the steep sections slowly. It is doable for fit hikers but is not a casual stroll.

How much does it cost to visit Ricketts Glen State Park?

Ricketts Glen is a Pennsylvania state park, so entry is free and parking is free. You park at the Lake Rose trailhead for the upper loop or the PA-118 trailhead for the lower falls. On busy fall and summer weekends the lots fill by mid-morning, so come early. There is no entrance fee to pay.

What else is there to do at Ricketts Glen besides the Falls Trail?

Beyond the waterfalls, Lake Jean is a 245-acre lake with a sand swimming beach in season plus boating, kayaking, and canoeing. The Highland Trail is a gentler woods loop past Midway Crevasse that links the tops of the two glens, and the Grand View fire tower is a short walk to a long view over the Endless Mountains.

Where should I stay to visit Ricketts Glen?

There is no lodge inside the park, so most visitors base in nearby towns. Bloomsburg and the area near Wilkes-Barre both sit within easy reach and have the most hotels, and Benton is the closest small town to the park. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport (AVP) is about an hour away if you are flying in.

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Ricketts Glen weekend route.

Trailheads and mileages, the full Falls Trail loop, Ganoga Falls and Waters Meet, Lake Jean, the Grand View fire tower, where to base nearby, and the conditions you need to hike the gorge safely.

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