Bushkill Falls boardwalk, Bushkill PA

Note: Preparation is key when exploring PA waterfalls. Always wear proper hiking footwear. NEVER disregard signs, and do research on the area before heading out. 

Bushkill Falls, Pike County
138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA
visitbushkillfalls.com

On the outskirts of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the headwaters of Bushkill Creek and Pond Run descend from the mountains to the Delaware River, forming awe-inspiring waterfalls. Visitors will be captivated by the eight magnificent waterfalls within the 300-acre Bushkill Falls.

It’s just a 15-minute walk on the Green Trail to the 100-foot Main Falls, which involves some steps but no climbing. four trails lead guests to all eight scenic waterfalls. 

Visitor admission fees contribute to the upkeep of the log boardwalks that guide guests through serene forests and ravines.

Bushkill Falls is open from April 1 to October 31. April and November, weather permitting.

Buttermilk Falls and Luke’s Falls. Carbon County
Lehigh Gorge State Park
Lehigh Gorge Trail
Rockport Rd., Weatherly, PA 18255
poconomountains.com/listing/lehigh-gorge-state-park/3745/

Lehigh Gorge State Park is home to three beautiful waterfalls near Jim Thorpe, PA.  Buttermilk and Luke’s Falls are easy to access along the D&L Trail. Three-tenths of a mile upstream from Rockport Access Area, you’ll find the 50-foot Buttermilk Falls cascading over several ledges. If you walk the same distance downstream from the Rockport Access, you’ll come to tranquil Luke’s Falls, which also drops 50 feet. Unfortunately, due to dangerous trail conditions, Glen Okono Falls is no longer accessible to hikers, and visitors should not ignore the signs.

Raymondskill Falls, Dingmans Falls & Silverthread Falls. Pike County
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA)
917 Raymondskill Rd
Milford, PA
nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/raymondskill-creek-trail.htm

    • Raymondskill Falls

Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls are the two tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania, respectively. Both can be found within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA). With three impressive drops, Raymondskill Falls stands at over 150 feet and is located in the northern reach of the recreation area just outside Milford. The falls can be accessed via a steep, .3-mile trail with two viewing areas, one in the middle and one at the top.

      • Dingmans Falls, Pike County
224 Dingmans Falls Rd., Dingmans Ferry, PA
nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/dingmans-creek-trail.htm

Dingmans Falls is located about 7 miles south of Raymondskill Falls. It has two visitor viewpoints offering different perspectives of the 130-foot falls. A boardwalk trail leads to a handicap-accessible viewing platform, while a staircase takes visitors another .1 mile for a view from the top. As you make your way to Dingmans Falls, you can see Silver Thread Falls at the park’s entrance.

       • Silver Thread Falls, Pike County
gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/silverthread.shtml

This 80-foot horsetail waterfall is just a short distance from Dingmans Falls. The thin waterfall is one of the easiest to access in the area. The Silverthread Falls trailhead is at the Dingman Falls Visitor Center. 

Tumbling Waters Trail Falls, Pike County
Pocono Mountain Environmental Center
538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
peec.org/about/hiking-trails

The Tumbling Waters Trail Falls is also in the Delaware Water Gap within the 38-acre Pocono Environmental Education Center. The trail leading to the falls is a moderately challenging three-mile trek. An overlook permits stunning views of the Delaware Valley and New Jersey’s Kittatinny Mountains. From there, switchbacks lead to the 20-foot picturesque Tumbling Waters Trail Falls. 

Note: George W. Childs Recreation Site is also located within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and has three waterfalls: Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls, and Deer Leap Falls. Due to extensive winter storm damage sustained in 2018, this trail is still closed to the public while $3 million worth of repairs are being completed. The recreation site has a projected opening this spring or summer.

Shohola Falls, Pike County
Route 6, Shohola, PA 18458
alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/shohola-falls-trail

Located in State Game Lands along Route 6 near Hawley, Shohola Falls Trail is a .6-mile loop leading to the sprawling cascades series, offering spectacular views from every angle. The falls drape over stepped rocks just below Shohola Lake. “Shohola” is a Lenni Lenape word meaning “place of peace.” 

Hawk Falls, Carbon County
Hickory Run State Park
Rt. 534 Albrightsville, PA
dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/HickoryRunStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx

Hawk Falls Trail, located in Hickory Run State Park, is a challenging .6-mile forest path that takes you across a scenic footbridge and through a rhododendron canopy before reaching the beautiful 25-foot Hawk Falls. Trail parking is available along Route 534. The Hickory Run State, Park Visitors Center, is just down the road along 534.

Little Falls, Pike County
Promised Land State Park
100 Lower Lake Rd., Greentown, PA
dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PromisedLandStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx

Take the picturesque Little Falls Trail to reach the waterfalls along a branch of Wallenpaupack Creek near Hawley. A footbridge 0.25 miles up the trail allows users to access the other side of the creek. Combine this trail with other trails nearby for a longer hike in the park or the adjoining Delaware State Forest.

Wild Creek Falls, Carbon County
Beltzville State Park
2950 Pohopoco Dr., Lehighton, PA
dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BeltzvilleStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx

The 1-mile loop Falls Trail leads hikers to the Wild Creek Falls Bridge, through the forest, then upstream to the Wild Creek Falls.

Waterfall in Ricketts Glen State Park, PA photo by Kathleen Montella

Ricketts Glen State Park Waterfalls, Luzerne County
Sweet Valley, PA 17656
dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RickettsGlenStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

Hike just over 7 miles in Ricketts Glen State Park to discover 22 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek. Most of the falls are located along a 3.2-mile loop. Ganoga Falls is the largest waterfall in Ricketts Glen State Park at 94 feet tall. The falls are part of a National Natural Landmark.

Stairway Falls, Pike County, PA photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli

Stairway Falls, Pike County
Stairway Wild Area
Delaware State Forest
2174A Route 611
Swiftwater, PA 18370
dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Delaware/Pages/Wild_NaturalAreas.aspx

 From Stairway Lake, follow the 2.8-mile Stairway Trail to reach the cascade. The trail can be challenging due to the dense vegetation and rocky terrain. The tiered falls are best seen after heavy rain.