Unearth The Voyage
Pennsylvania has more than 200 named waterfalls, and most people only ever visit the same two or three famous ones. That leaves dozens of gorgeous cascades sitting quietly in state forests, game lands, and city parks, waiting for someone curious enough to show up.
Some of these falls are just a short walk from a parking lot, while others reward hikers who do not mind getting a little mud on their boots. This summer, skip the crowded overlooks and follow the less obvious paths.
From a waterfall hidden inside a major city park to a remote cascade you can actually walk behind, Pennsylvania has a surprising range of wild water moments packed into its borders. The 13 spots below are not household names, but each one has something genuinely worth the drive.
Pack a water bottle, charge your phone, and prepare to be happily surprised.
1. Adams Falls, Benton, Pennsylvania
Most visitors to Ricketts Glen race straight for the famous Falls Trail, completely missing this compact gem just outside the main loop. Adams Falls sits near the park entrance, which makes it both the easiest waterfall to reach in the entire park and, oddly, one of the most overlooked.
The water slides over sculpted rock in a wide, layered drop that photographs beautifully in almost any light. Because it sits off the main trail circuit, the crowd level here is noticeably lower than at the park’s bigger named falls.
Families with younger kids often appreciate Adams Falls most, since the short walk requires no serious elevation change. Ricketts Glen State Park is located off Route 487 near Benton, and parking is available near the lake area.
Plan to arrive before 10 a.m. on summer weekends to avoid the busiest stretch of the day.
2. Dry Run Falls, Hillsgrove, Pennsylvania
Despite its unfortunate name suggesting a trickle of nothing, Dry Run Falls is actually one of the last waterfalls in Sullivan County to stop flowing, even during dry summers. That reputation alone makes it worth a detour through Loyalsock State Forest.
The falls stand about 20 feet tall and drop into a narrow gorge that keeps the whole scene looking wild and dramatic. One of the best parts of this spot is the access: you can see it from the road or walk within 50 feet for a closer look, no major hike required.
Loyalsock State Forest covers a large area near Hillsgrove in Sullivan County, and the roads through it are well maintained in summer. This is a great option for people who want a waterfall experience without committing to a long trail.
Cell service is limited out here, so download directions before you go.
3. Angel Falls, Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania
The name Angel Falls belongs to several waterfalls around the world, but Pennsylvania’s version earns its title with a graceful, multi-tiered drop tucked deep inside Loyalsock State Forest. Getting here takes more effort than most roadside stops, but the payoff is a waterfall that feels genuinely private.
The hike involves some uneven terrain and creek crossings depending on the route, so waterproof boots are a smart call. Summer crowds here are minimal compared to the more famous Loyalsock Trail destinations, which means you are likely to have the falls mostly to yourself.
Muncy Valley is the nearest town, and the forest roads leading to the trailhead can be rough in spots. Check road conditions with the Bureau of Forestry before heading out, especially after heavy rain.
This one rewards preparation, and hikers who do the research tend to come back talking about it for weeks.
4. Fall Brook Falls, Montrose, Pennsylvania
Salt Springs State Park near Montrose holds something rare: a stand of old growth hemlocks that have never been logged, growing alongside a rocky gorge carved by Fall Brook. The waterfalls here feel like they belong in a nature documentary rather than a day trip destination.
There are actually several small cascades along the trail, not just one big drop, which gives the walk a sense of discovery that single-waterfall hikes do not always deliver. The gorge walls rise steeply on both sides, and the trail follows the creek closely enough that you are never far from moving water.
Salt Springs State Park is a smaller, quieter park that does not get the visitor numbers of larger Pennsylvania destinations. Parking is limited but rarely full on weekday visits.
The trail system is well marked, and the round trip to the main falls and back runs about two miles total, making it very manageable for most fitness levels.
5. Sullivan Falls, Jamison City, Pennsylvania
Not many people know that State Game Lands 13 holds around 20 waterfalls, and Sullivan Falls is widely considered the best of the bunch. At roughly 30 feet tall, it makes a strong impression for a waterfall that appears on almost no tourist maps.
The trail from the small parking area is short and relatively flat, which is a pleasant surprise given how remote the whole area feels. Summer is a particularly good time to visit because the surrounding hardwood forest fills in completely, creating a canopy that keeps the walk cool and shaded.
Sullivan Falls is located near Jamison City in Sullivan County, not far from Ricketts Glen State Park. Since this is game lands territory, hunting seasons apply, so check the Pennsylvania Game Commission schedule before visiting in fall.
Bring sturdy footwear since the path near the base can be slippery after rain.
6. Shohola Falls, Shohola, Pennsylvania
Shohola Falls does not whisper. The creek here charges through a series of rocky ledges with enough energy that the whole scene feels active and alive, which is a nice change from the quieter, more delicate cascades that dominate many Pennsylvania waterfall lists.
Located in Pike County near the Delaware River, the falls sit just off Route 6 and are surprisingly easy to reach for how dramatic they look. Natural pools form at different points along the creek, and the surrounding area has short trails that let visitors explore multiple viewpoints.
This spot works well as a stop along a longer Pocono Mountains road trip rather than a standalone destination. Combine it with a visit to the Delaware Water Gap or the nearby state forest for a full day of outdoor stops.
Summer weekends bring more visitors, but the site has enough space to spread out and not feel crowded.
7. Tumbling Waters, Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Environmental Education Center is not just for school field trips, though it has hosted plenty of those over the decades. The Tumbling Waters Trail on the property offers a genuinely enjoyable loop that passes a waterfall, several ponds, a ravine overlook, and views toward the Delaware Valley.
The trail runs about two miles and combines enough variety that the waterfall feels like one highlight among several rather than the only reason to visit. That makes it a stronger overall outing than many single-destination waterfall hikes.
PEEC is located near Dingmans Ferry in Pike County, close to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Visitors are generally welcome to use the trail system, but it is worth calling ahead to confirm access on your chosen date since programs and events occasionally affect trail availability.
Bring water and sunscreen because parts of the trail are open to the sky.
8. Nay Aug Falls, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Finding a legitimate gorge and waterfall inside a city park is the kind of thing that makes people stop mid-sentence and say, wait, that’s actually in Scranton? Nay Aug Park sits right in the middle of the city and contains a rocky gorge carved by Roaring Brook that most out-of-towners have no idea exists.
The waterfall is not a towering cascade, but the combination of exposed rock, the gorge drop, and the surrounding park trees gives the spot a wild character that feels completely out of step with its urban address. A boardwalk and overlook platforms allow views into the gorge without requiring a technical scramble.
Nay Aug Park also has a public pool, a treehouse attraction, and picnic areas, so it works well as a full afternoon outing for families. Parking is free and plentiful.
The gorge trail itself is short and accessible, making this one of the most rewarding low-effort waterfall stops in the entire northeastern part of the state.
9. Hell’s Hollow Falls, Portersville, Pennsylvania
McConnells Mill State Park is best known for its historic gristmill and the dramatic Slippery Rock Gorge, but Hell’s Hollow Falls offers a quieter, more meditative corner of the park that many visitors skip entirely. That is their loss and your opportunity.
The trail to the falls follows Hell Run creek through a hemlock-shaded hollow, with the terrain getting progressively more interesting as you approach the cascade. The waterfall itself drops into a small rocky basin surrounded by old woodland, giving the whole setting a calm, unhurried character.
The trailhead is located off Heinz Camp Road within the park, and the round trip hike is roughly two miles with modest elevation. McConnells Mill State Park is in Lawrence County, about an hour north of Pittsburgh, making it a solid western Pennsylvania day trip option.
Weekday visits are noticeably quieter than summer weekends, when the gorge area draws larger crowds.
10. Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
There are not many waterfalls in Pennsylvania that come with a side of forgotten history, but Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls delivers exactly that combination. The falls sit within Raccoon Creek State Park near the remnants of a 19th century mineral spring resort that once drew visitors from across the region.
The waterfall itself is modest in height, but the surrounding stonework, old infrastructure, and wooded setting give the area a layered character that purely natural waterfalls sometimes lack. It is the kind of place that makes you want to read a little history before you go so the visit means more when you get there.
Raccoon Creek State Park is located in Beaver County near Hookstown, roughly 30 miles west of Pittsburgh. The park has well-developed trail maps available at the office, and the mineral springs area is marked on most of them.
This is an excellent pairing with a longer loop through the park’s wildflower reserve.
11. Cole Run Falls, Middlecreek Township, Pennsylvania
Forbes State Forest covers a huge swath of the Laurel Highlands, and Cole Run Falls is one of its lesser-known rewards, sitting quietly in the woods while nearby Ohiopyle gets all the attention. That relative anonymity is exactly what makes this spot appealing to hikers who prefer their waterfalls without a crowd attached.
The cascade is not the tallest in the state, but the surrounding forest is dense and the access trail runs through genuinely pleasant mountain terrain. It is the kind of waterfall stop that works best when paired with a longer forest drive through the Highlands.
Middlecreek Township is in Somerset County, and the roads leading into Forbes State Forest require a bit of navigation since signage can be sparse. Download a trail map from the Bureau of Forestry website before heading out.
Summer is ideal here because the forest canopy is full and the creek runs reliably through most of the season.
12. Freedom Falls, Kennerdell, Pennsylvania
Twenty feet tall and about 50 feet wide, Freedom Falls is broader than most people expect when they first see it referenced on a waterfall list. The falls are located north of Emlenton in Venango County, just above the Allegheny River in a stretch of woods that sees very little foot traffic.
The short walk from the parking area takes only about five minutes, which means the payoff-to-effort ratio here is genuinely impressive. Nearby, the remains of the Rockland Furnace add a historical footnote to the visit: this area was once part of Pennsylvania’s iron industry, and the old stone ruins are still visible in the forest.
Kennerdell is the closest town, and the access road is manageable for most vehicles in dry conditions. This is a particularly good summer stop for anyone driving through northwestern Pennsylvania on Route 8 or Route 68.
The falls flow strongest after rainfall, so plan accordingly for the best view.
13. Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, New Florence, Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania’s only natural single-plunge waterfall exceeding 40 feet is not in a famous state park or on a well-worn tourist route. It sits in a compact natural area near New Florence in Indiana County, and most Pennsylvanians have never heard of it.
In 2017, a walkway was installed that allows visitors to walk directly behind the falls, which is an experience that very few Pennsylvania waterfalls can offer. That alone puts Buttermilk Falls Natural Area in a separate category from most roadside cascade stops.
The site is managed as a natural area, so facilities are minimal and the atmosphere stays peaceful even on summer weekends. New Florence is accessible via Route 711 in Indiana County, roughly 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.
The waterfall is the clear centerpiece of the visit, and the short walk from the parking area is appropriate for most ages and ability levels.
