20 Best Waterfalls in Pennsylvania (Highest & Most Beautiful)

Pennsylvania has a wide range of waterfalls. There are over 180 in the state. Some are wide and drop in tiers. Others are narrow and cascade over rocks like a veil.

Some of Pennsylvania’s waterfalls are tall and majestic. Raymondskill Falls is the tallest, at 150-feet. Many others are smaller, but still impressive in their own way. The waterfalls of Pennsylvania are often accessible by visiting one of their many state parks.

Ricketts Glen is a well-known as a state park to view waterfalls in. It has more than most. Ohiopyle State Park and Trough Creek State Park are both home to beautiful waterfalls.

The state forests and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are all also sites to the waterfalls of Pennsylvania. No matter where you are traveling in Pennsylvania, a waterfall is close by.

Many of these waterfalls are accessible to individuals will limited mobility and children. Others require proper footwear and fitness to reach them without distress. No matter who you are traveling with or what your fitness level may be Pennsylvania has many waterfalls for you to enjoy.

1. Raymondskill Falls

Credit: R. Steven Potenzone / Flickr

Raymondskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of Pennsylvania. The waterfall is a towering 150-feet. It has three tiers. This waterfall is located in the infamous Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

It is a popular place to visit in the state. The hike is fairly short to reach Raymondskill Falls. It is just 0.3 miles each direction from the parking area. This trail is not the easiest to traverse. It is very steep and uneven in many places.

There are two great areas for visitors to observe this waterfall from. One gives you a view from an upper portion of the falls. The second is lower and the best place to take pictures.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the area surrounding Raymondskill Falls. You cannot swim within 50 feet of the waterfall, as well.

Raymondskill Falls gets busy on the weekends. A hiker shuttle is available to allow more people access to the area, when the parking lot onsite fills up.

2. Bushkill Falls

Credit: Bushkill Falls / Facebook

Bushkill Falls is part of eight private waterfalls in Lehman Township. This is the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. It is the tallest of the eight falls, at over 100 feet tall. It is often referred to as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania.

Bushkill Falls was first open to the public in 1904. There was a single pathway in the park and a swinging bridge. This park operated and owned by Charles E. Peters is still owned by his family. Aramak now operates the park though.

There are 2 miles of hiking trails around Now 2 miles of hiking and walking in area. To access, Bushkill Falls there is a fee of $15.

This is worth paying, if you are looking for a place to see more than one waterfall and experience more than just the natural beauty of the area. Bushkill Falls offers gold mining, a maze, and fishing too. There is a gift shop onsite.

The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center is also onsite. The park is a great place to picnic and just observe what Mother Nature has to offer in the beautiful hemlock and pine-filled forest.

3. Ganoga Falls

Credit: David Dales / Flickr

Ganoga Falls is located in Ricketts Glen State Park. This state park is popular as it has over 20 waterfalls within its boundaries. This waterfall is considered one of the best waterfalls to visit in the mid-Atlantic states.

The waterfall is beautiful with its drop totaling 94 feet and a crest of 10 feet. It is one of the largest falls found in Ricketts Glen State Park, too. This makes it popular among visitors to the park.

The waterfall is split in two sections. The top portion pours over a steep and narrow slide that then fans out. The waterfall widens at the bottom. The waterfall is an area known as Ganoga Glen. It's the 4th waterfall in the series that runs through this section of Kitchen Creek.

Ganoga Falls is easy to access. It is about a half mile from the parking area at Rose Lake down Glen Trail. The trail is steep as it descends. This makes it difficult for some to maneuver.

There is camping in this state park, this makes it easy for you to spend more than just a day checking out Ganoga Falls and the many neighboring waterfalls.

4. Cucumber Falls

Cucumber Falls can be found in the magnificent Ohiopyle State Park. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of western Pennsylvania, even though the waterfall just 30 feet tall.

Ohiopyle State Park was one park of the privately owned Keister Park. In 1961 the western Pennsylvania Conservancy was gifted the fall surrounding 589 acres around the falls.

Another section of land totaling 100 acres was also donated by Edgar Kauffmann. The combination of these two sections of land now makes up Ohiopyle State Park.

Cucumber Falls can be visited year-round. In the winter months the waterfall can freeze. The trails around the falls may be slicker, during the winter months. Ohiopyle State Park is located off of Route 381 on Kentuck Road.

Once you are in the park there is a large gravel lot. A great view of the top of the falls is easy to access from the parking lot. There is a staircase to this upper observation area.

Stairs also descend to the base of the falls for another excellent view of it. Cucumber Falls is busy on the weekends. This waterfall is not the best for those with limited mobility. It is not accessible by wheelchairs.

5. Dry Run Falls

Credit: Brook Tyler / Flickr

Loyalsock State Forest is home to Dry Run Falls. This is located in Sullivan County. The waterfall can be found two miles from Route 87 on Dry Run Road.

This waterfall runs year-round, but its flow is best after it rains. Usually the 20-foot waterfall is split into two sections. A rock splits the two steams from one another. The waterfall is 20 feet tall.

Dry Run Falls is very easy to get to. It’s just a few steps away from the parking area. It can be viewed from the parking area and road. To get the best views of the waterfall, you will want to hike to the bottom.

Use caution hiking this area after rain. It can be slick. Dry Run Falls has a lovely picnic area near the parking area. This is a great place to have a bite to eat after spending time observing the waterfall.

Related Read: 7 Best Hiking Trails in Valley Forge

6. Harrison Wright Falls

Credit: Michael Eitland / Flickr

Harrison Wright Falls is one of the many waterfalls in Ricketts Glen State Park. The park has over 20 total. Harrison Wright Falls is one of the major three, in this state park located off of PA-487.

The waterfall is easiest to access from Lake Rose parking area or Beach Lot #2. The trail to the falls is a loop trail. These lots both provide access to the Falls Trail. The trail is a 4-miles long.

Harrison Wright Falls is 27 feet tall. It is considered a classic curtain style waterfall. It is the first waterfall downstream of where the different branches of Kitchen Creek come together.

Harrison Wright Falls is named after a lawyer that was also passionate about minerology and archaeology. If you are visiting, you will surely want to stop and see this waterfall. The state park is a great location for those that want to see many waterfalls in one place.

7. Glen Onoko Falls

Credit: Tom Wildoner / Flickr

Glen Onoko Falls is a truly beautiful waterfall. Currently, the trail to the falls is closed due to hazardous conditions. You will want to check if this waterfall has reopened before you visit it. Glen Onoko Falls is reached by a steep and difficult trail.

It takes most visitors at least two hours to hike to and from this beautiful waterfall. Due to the steep and loose trails hiking shoes and a good walking stick are both recommended on the trail.

It’s also what makes this trail best for fit individuals. Those with limited mobility and children should look for a more accessible waterfall to visit in Pennsylvania. Glen Onoko Falls is a located in a gorgeous forest. This makes it a great habitat for birds. Birdwatching is popular in the area.

This waterfall near Weatherly, PA is a great place to visit, if you have the time and fitness level required to make the trek into see it. If you choose to visit this waterfall, go between April and October when the trails are safest.

Related Read: 20 Best Waterfalls Near Pittsburgh

8. Nay Aug Falls

Credit: Class A Photography / Flickr

Nay Aug Park is the home to Nay Aug Falls in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The waterfall here is 20 feet tall. It drops into a rocky area in the Nay Aug Gorge. The falls are found at the north end of this gorge into Roaring Brook

Nay Aug Falls is easily reached by hiking a trail on the western side of Roaring Brook. This trail is uneven, so if you have mobility issues, you may not want to traverse it. There is also a viewpoint on the other side of the gorge. However, this path is longer.

It crosses Roaring Brook on a covered bridge. It is easier for most to traverse than the trail on the western side of Roaring Brook. If you have time and the physical ability to view the waterfall from each side, you won’t regret it.

There are plenty of other activities in the park to engage in. The Electric City Trolley Museum and Steamtown National History offer train tours through the park, that allow you to see the falls.

Nay Aug Park also has playgrounds, two Olympic sized swimming pools, and numerous hiking trails. The park is an excellent place to spend a full day with family and friends.

Finding this park can be tricky if not familiar with area. It is found in southeast Scranton, near I-81 where it meets with Scranton Expressway. You may need to stop and ask locals for directions if you have trouble finding this wonderful waterfall and park.

9. Quaker Falls

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Quaker Falls is the western most waterfall in Pennsylvania. It is just over the Ohio border in Lawrence County on US-224. Quaker Falls is about 50 feet. It is a two-tiered waterfall.

It is one of the tallest waterfalls on this side of the state. The waterfall is not visible from the road. It can be seen from the edge of the parking area, but its best view is reached by hiking a trail to the falls.

The trail goes counterclockwise form the parking lot in Quaker Falls Recreation Area near Mahoning Township. There are numerous interpretive signs about the history of the area on the trail.

There is a bridge on the trail that goes right above the falls. From this trail you can access an unimproved trail to the base of the waterfall. This trail is steep, and you will want to hike down it with caution.

10. Buttermilk Falls

Credit: RattBoy / Wikipedia

Buttermilk Falls is a wonderful waterfall near New Florence, Pennsylvania. It is 45 feet tall and accessible to most individuals.

This waterfall is found in the Buttermilk Falls Park. The park is 48-acres of lush forest. It was donated to Indiana County in 1995. The Keystone-Conemaugh Group that owns Conemaugh Generating Station previously owned the site.

The park is home to numerous animals and plants, as a park it is better protected. The park has a restroom, picnic pavilion, and hiking trails, in addition to the splendid waterfall.

Buttermilk Falls is on the Fred Rogers Driving Trail. Prior to the Keystone-Conemaugh group owning the land it was park of the McFeely estate. McFeely was the grandfather of Mister Rogers.

There are quotes along the trails, including those that lead to the waterfall from Mister Rogers because of this. Once you get to Buttermilk Falls Park the waterfall is easy to reach. There is a main parking lot and overflow lot.

From the main parking area, one can view the falls off of a 0.2-mile pathway that leads to an observation area. This area is wheelchair accessible. There is another trail that leads to the bottom of the falls.

This trail requires that you go downstairs. It is not an easy trail for those with limited mobility. Along this second trail, you must cross the Eclipse Bridge. This bridge was built in honor of the 2017 solar eclipse.

If you are looking to check out a beautiful waterfall and explore a place with a unique history, then you will want to stop in at Buttermilk Falls Park. The park is open daily at 8am.

11. Fallbrook Falls

Credit: Nicholas_T / Flickr

Fallbrook Falls is a pleasant waterfall found in the Tioga State Forest of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Fallbrook Falls is split into an upper and lower waterfall. Upper Fallbrook Falls are about 10 feet tall and twice as wide. Lower Fallbrook Falls are also about 10 feet tall.

The upper falls can be viewed from an overlook. The lower falls are best viewed at stream level, which is found about 200 yards from the observation area to view this area of Fallbrook Falls.

The walk to view the waterfalls is short. Most agree, it takes about 3 minutes to go from the parking area on River Road to the overlooks. The overlook is noticeable by the small rock out crop and railed area around it.

This eastern Pennsylvania waterfall is a great stop for those that wish to avoid larger crowds. If you are interested in the history of industry in Pennsylvania, you will want to visit the nearby ghost town of Fall Brook.

Acid mine treatment ponds from this mine still sit above the falls today, though the town of Fall Brook has dissolved over the years.

12. Mill Creek Falls

Mill Creek Falls is a serene 25-foot waterfall in York County near Lock 12 (another site worth visiting). The waterfall easy to reach by walking a few minutes from the parking area.

Mill Creek Falls is on the Mason-Dixon Trail. This trail is easy to find, as it's marked by blue blazes. The full trail is over 200 miles, the area around Mill Creek Falls loops you 2 miles around the Susquehanna River area.

Mill Creek Falls was once the power source for a sawmill along the river. This mill is no longer in operation. Summer is the most popular time to visit Mill Creek Falls.

There is a great swimming hole at the Falls during these warmer months. No matter what time of year you visit Mill Creek Falls you are bound to have a great time and enjoy some amazing scenery.

13. Rainbow Falls

Credit: David Sullivan / Flickr

Rainbow Falls is a beautiful waterfall found in Trough Creek State Park. This is not the largest waterfall in Pennsylvania, but it’s worth visiting if you are visiting Huntingdon County.

The waterfall is extremely accessible. It is a 0.12-mile hike from the parking lot to reach this waterfall. The trail the waterfall is on is called Balanced Rock Trail.

This is because Balanced Rock is another attraction in the park. Balanced Rock is a great example of erosion. Softer rock around the balance rock has worn away at the base of the rock.

Once you are on Balanced Rock Trail you will continue over a suspension bridge. This bridge is another highlight in Trough Creek State Park.

Rainbow Falls is runs best in the springtime, as the snow melts. The waterfall looks like a staircase. It gives the falls a majestic appearance.

14. Wild Creek Falls

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Wild Creek Falls is a popular waterfall in Leighton PA.  The waterfall can be found in Beltzville State Park. This is off of I-476 and Route 209 in Carbon County.

The waterfall is part of the flow that contributes to the Bethlehem Municipal Water System. Gigantic boulders sit in the stream. The surrounding forest of hemlock and mountain laurel offer visitors a peaceful vibe, as they hike to the waterfall.

Wild Creek Falls is a waterfall just over 12 feet tall. It is split down the middle by a rock. The water flow over the falls is dependent on rain. The waterfall sits near Wild Creek Lake Reservoir in the state park.

This lake is 1000 acres. It is a very popular place to recreate in Carbon County. If you are visiting Wild Creek Falls this is a great place to swim, paddle, or just enjoy the shores of on a picnic.

Related Read: 10 Best Poconos Hiking Trails

15. Adams Falls

Credit: Ha Tran / Flickr

Ricketts Glenn State Park is home to over twenty waterfalls, including Adams Falls. It is one of the few waterfalls in the park that is not on the Falls Trail. It is often confused with Adams Falls in Linn Run State Park.

Adams Falls is on Kitchen Creek. It’s very easy to reach from the Evergreen parking area and is considered the most accessible waterfall in the entire park. It is just off of Evergreen Trail.

If you wish to explore the beautiful old growth forest further from the falls, you can do so by continuing on the Evergreen Trail. It is about 1 mile each way.

This waterfall is made up of two drops. The first is 15-20 feet tall, where the water flows through a narrow chute to a pool. The second drop is just over 10 feet tall and spit in two paths to a second larger pool.

The upper section of the waterfall is the easiest to view. The lower section can only be viewed if you walk across the stream and then downstream. If you are physically fit to make the trek to this view point it is well worth taking the time to do so.

Look upstream from Adams Falls and you may be surprised to see another waterfall. Kitchen Creek Falls is visible upstream from it. Adams Falls is a beautiful waterfall.

If you want to see it, along with many other fantastic waterfalls, Ricketts State Park is a great stop. There is camping in the park and plenty of other waterfalls. It’s worth spending a night or two here to see it all!

16. Erie Falls

Credit: David Dales / Flickr

Erie Falls is the 10th and last waterfall on Ganoga Glen branch of Kitchen Creek, in Ricketts Glen State Park. This waterfall is part of the majestic Falls Loop. It is tied with Tuscorara Falls as being the third highest waterfall in the state park.

Erie Falls is a veil-like waterfall. It is 47 feet tall. This waterfall is visible from the Falls Loop on a steep stair section. From this view point you are at the top of the waterfall. This waterfall is closest to the Rose Trailhead parking area.

Erie Falls, like many others in the park was named by Robert Bruce Ricketts. He opened the park in 1913. The state did not control the park until 1943. If you have time, it recommended, you spend a full day or more at Ricketts Glen State Park. Camping is available onsite.

Related Read: 20 Top Treehouse Rentals in Pennsylvania

17. Dingmans Falls

Credit: Anna Azarova / Flickr

Dingmans Falls is a waterfall located in Dingmans Ferry. This waterfall has an outstanding 130-foot drop. It is near Silverthread Falls, too.

Dingmans Falls has a great vantage point for those with limited mobility. The trail leaves Dingman Falls Visitor Center in the Delaware Water Gap national Recreation Area. This trail turns to a boardwalk. In the winter the trail can be quite icy.

The trail to the waterfall is open year-round, but the visitor center is not. The visitor center is only open from Memorial Day until November.

If you are visiting Dingmans Falls with children you will want to ask about the naturalist program, at the visitor center. This is a great activity that engages kids in topics concerning the natural world and the park itself.

18. Silverthread Falls

Credit: Carlos Rivera Anaya / Flickr

SIlverthread Falls neighbors Dingman’s Falls. It is located in the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area. Silverthread Falls is 80 feet tall, but very narrow at the top. It is only five feet wide at the top.

Silverthread Falls is accessible to most individuals, including those with limited mobility. It is also a stroller friendly trail. The trail can be reached from the visitor center for the recreation area, located off of US-209 just south of the US 209 and US 739 junction.

The falls is unique in that it has a rectangular plunge pool at its base. This is a natural wonder you won’t want to miss.

19. Fulmer Falls

Credit: Wikipedia

Fulmer Falls is a beautiful waterfall in George W. Childs Recreation Site. This is near Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, a beautiful nature-filled area of the state. Fulmer Falls is just downstream from Factory Falls and upstream from Deer Leap Falls.

This 56-foot waterfall is on Dingmans Creek. The creek flows into the Delaware River. The hike to Fulmer Falls is a loop hike. It also takes you to see Factory Falls and Deer Loop Falls. The hike is 1.2 miles total.

Fulmer Falls and the George W. Childs Recreation Site are on land that George Childs bought in 1892. It was also previously owned by Brooks family. Brooks built a stone woolen mill on the land. The ruins of his mill are still visible today.

Childs is responsible for putting in trail and pathways to the waterfalls. When Childs died in 1912 his widow donated the land to the state, it became part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area in 1983.

20. Dutchman Falls

Credit: Hannelore K / Flickr

Dutchman falls is a pretty waterfall in Loyalsock State Forest. It is 27 feet tall and divided into two tiers. The top tier is seven feet, and the bottom tier is 20 feet. When the water is shallow enough it is possible to cross the waterfall between the two tiers.

A short and steep hike is required to reach this waterfall. It is not the easiest for those with limited mobility to reach. The trail is 0.3 miles each way.

The parking area to get to the trail to the falls is off of Route-220. It is off of the Loyalsock Trail. The parking area has restrooms. There is plenty of signage once you get on the falls that says Dutchman Falls Spur Trail. This will lead you to this waterfall on Loyalsock Creek.

The falls are accessible year-round. If you intend to visit them in the winter shoes with spikes or YakTrax are recommended. The trail can be very icy, and the waterfall can freeze.