Adventure’s never far, especially living in Pennsylvania. Sometimes, though, we crave a laid back experience, one that takes our breath away from sheer beauty rather than fast-paced thrills. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a few hours or a day, plan a visit to one or all of these six easy-to-reach waterfalls in Pennsylvania. (One stop even features two spellbinding waterfalls less than a mile apart.)
- Dingmans Falls – Dingmans Ferry
Flickr/Jason If you’ve ever searched for “waterfalls near me,” you’ve undoubtedly come across Dingman Falls. The second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, Dingman Falls cascades down 130 feet. To reach the popular waterfall, you’ll follow a short wooden boardwalk trail that spans less than half of a mile. Rated easy for those of all ages and skill levels, the trail is predominately flat and boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including wooded areas and flowing streams. Stop by the official website of Dingman Falls.
- Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls – Ohiopyle
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
Flickr/Zach Frailey Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls are less than a mile apart in Ohiopyle State Park, making them both a must see. Keep an eye out for a sign that reads Cucumber Falls and a small parking lot, where you can park. You can view the falls from above then walk down a staircase to see the waterfall from the base. For a really unique view, walk behind the falls.
To reach Ohiopyle Falls, look for the Ohiopyle State Park Visitors Center. You have several ways to view the gushing falls - from a viewing area inside of the visitor’s center or from a viewing platform outside. Learn more on the official website of Ohiopyle State Park.
- Nay Aug Falls – Scranton
Flickr/Doug Kerr Carve out plenty of time for your visit to Nay Aug Park, home to the cascading Nay Aug Falls. Set off on the Davis Trail, an easy trail that tallies two miles total and offers a few surprises, including a treehouse that offers sensational views of the park. The masterpiece of the trail, of course, is the 15-foot Nay Aug Falls. Find more on the official website of Nay Aug Park.
- Shohola Falls – Shohola Falls Township
Flickr/Kevin Jarrett Slip on a pair of comfy shoes for your hike to Shohola Falls, which you’ll reach via the Shohola Falls Trail. The trail only spans .06 of a mile, so you’re in for a pretty easy trek. However, you will have to go down wooden stairs. Bring your camera along as you’ll definitely want to snap photos of the picturesque dam and the 50-foot waterfall.
- Buttermilk Falls – Beaver Falls
Flickr/Joanna Poe Buttermilk Falls Natural Area sits about an hour outside downtown Pittsburgh. Reaching Buttermilk Falls, which drops 40 feet, usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on fast you walk. Follow the trail that will lead you along a gravel path and up stone stairs until you reach the base of the waterfall. Here’s the official website of Buttermilk Falls Park.
- Raymondskill Falls – Milford
Flickr/Charles Fulton Raymondskill Falls is definitely a bucket list-worthy waterfall. It is, after all, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, tumbling down 150 feet. The trail leading to the spectacular natural wonder measures just over a half of a mile. However, it features some steep stairs. Learn more.
Have you ever asked yourself, where are there waterfalls near me? Now you know about some of the best! What are your favorite Pennsylvania waterfalls? Let us know in the comments! If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, follow Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park, which boasts 21 breathtaking waterfalls.
Flickr/Jason
If you’ve ever searched for “waterfalls near me,” you’ve undoubtedly come across Dingman Falls. The second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, Dingman Falls cascades down 130 feet. To reach the popular waterfall, you’ll follow a short wooden boardwalk trail that spans less than half of a mile. Rated easy for those of all ages and skill levels, the trail is predominately flat and boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including wooded areas and flowing streams. Stop by the official website of Dingman Falls.
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
Flickr/Zach Frailey
Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls are less than a mile apart in Ohiopyle State Park, making them both a must see. Keep an eye out for a sign that reads Cucumber Falls and a small parking lot, where you can park. You can view the falls from above then walk down a staircase to see the waterfall from the base. For a really unique view, walk behind the falls.
To reach Ohiopyle Falls, look for the Ohiopyle State Park Visitors Center. You have several ways to view the gushing falls - from a viewing area inside of the visitor’s center or from a viewing platform outside. Learn more on the official website of Ohiopyle State Park.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Carve out plenty of time for your visit to Nay Aug Park, home to the cascading Nay Aug Falls. Set off on the Davis Trail, an easy trail that tallies two miles total and offers a few surprises, including a treehouse that offers sensational views of the park. The masterpiece of the trail, of course, is the 15-foot Nay Aug Falls. Find more on the official website of Nay Aug Park.
Flickr/Kevin Jarrett
Slip on a pair of comfy shoes for your hike to Shohola Falls, which you’ll reach via the Shohola Falls Trail. The trail only spans .06 of a mile, so you’re in for a pretty easy trek. However, you will have to go down wooden stairs. Bring your camera along as you’ll definitely want to snap photos of the picturesque dam and the 50-foot waterfall.
Flickr/Joanna Poe
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area sits about an hour outside downtown Pittsburgh. Reaching Buttermilk Falls, which drops 40 feet, usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on fast you walk. Follow the trail that will lead you along a gravel path and up stone stairs until you reach the base of the waterfall. Here’s the official website of Buttermilk Falls Park.
Flickr/Charles Fulton
Raymondskill Falls is definitely a bucket list-worthy waterfall. It is, after all, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, tumbling down 150 feet. The trail leading to the spectacular natural wonder measures just over a half of a mile. However, it features some steep stairs. Learn more.
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Address: Dingmans Falls, Delaware Township, PA 18328, USAAddress: Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USAAddress: Nay Aug Falls, Scranton, PA 18510, USAAddress: Shohola Falls, Shohola Township, PA 18458, USAAddress: Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, USAAddress: Raymondskill Falls, Dingman Township, PA 18337, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me March 10, 2022 Beth Price-Williams What are the best waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania? Some of the best waterfall hikes are also the easiest hikes in Pennsylvania. In fact, some – like Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls, both in Ohiopyle State Park – only require a short stroll. Just a few minutes away from Ohiopyle sits Fallingwater, perhaps one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous homes. It’s built atop a waterfall. Sign up for a tour of the home, or explore the grounds. (There is a fee for both.) Either way, you’ll have picture-perfect views of the unique waterfall. Bushkill Falls, a private park, boasts eight waterfalls that are accessible by one of several hikes. Is Raymondskill Falls in Pennsylvania the state’s tallest waterfall? Dropping down three gorgeous tiers, Raymondskill Falls ranks as Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall. It cascades down 150 feet and, if you add up each of the tiers, it’s slightly shorter than Niagara Falls. To reach the breathtaking cascade, follow the .03-mile Raymondskill Creek Trail. While it is a short and sweet trail, it does pose some challenges, including climbing a rock staircase. However, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views once you arrive at the waterfall. You can view the waterfall from the lower or the upper viewing platform. Don’t forget your camera, because the views are spectacular. Can I hike to Glen Onoko Falls in Pennsylvania? If you’ve hiked the Glen Onoko Falls Trail in Pennsylvania, consider yourself lucky. The treacherous trail to the series of cascades, in which Glen Onoko Falls is the highlight, permanently shut down in 2019 – after numerous deaths and countless injuries since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, hikers often fail to heed the closure sign and continue to hike the dangerous path that claimed the life of an elderly hiker in 2022. It often takes more than a dozen rescuers to help each who that finds themselves stranded or injured. Those daring to ignore the closure notices will face a citation and fines. Local authorities do patrol the area.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
March 10, 2022
Beth Price-Williams
What are the best waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania? Some of the best waterfall hikes are also the easiest hikes in Pennsylvania. In fact, some – like Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls, both in Ohiopyle State Park – only require a short stroll. Just a few minutes away from Ohiopyle sits Fallingwater, perhaps one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous homes. It’s built atop a waterfall. Sign up for a tour of the home, or explore the grounds. (There is a fee for both.) Either way, you’ll have picture-perfect views of the unique waterfall. Bushkill Falls, a private park, boasts eight waterfalls that are accessible by one of several hikes. Is Raymondskill Falls in Pennsylvania the state’s tallest waterfall? Dropping down three gorgeous tiers, Raymondskill Falls ranks as Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall. It cascades down 150 feet and, if you add up each of the tiers, it’s slightly shorter than Niagara Falls. To reach the breathtaking cascade, follow the .03-mile Raymondskill Creek Trail. While it is a short and sweet trail, it does pose some challenges, including climbing a rock staircase. However, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views once you arrive at the waterfall. You can view the waterfall from the lower or the upper viewing platform. Don’t forget your camera, because the views are spectacular. Can I hike to Glen Onoko Falls in Pennsylvania? If you’ve hiked the Glen Onoko Falls Trail in Pennsylvania, consider yourself lucky. The treacherous trail to the series of cascades, in which Glen Onoko Falls is the highlight, permanently shut down in 2019 – after numerous deaths and countless injuries since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, hikers often fail to heed the closure sign and continue to hike the dangerous path that claimed the life of an elderly hiker in 2022. It often takes more than a dozen rescuers to help each who that finds themselves stranded or injured. Those daring to ignore the closure notices will face a citation and fines. Local authorities do patrol the area.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best waterfall hikes are also the easiest hikes in Pennsylvania. In fact, some – like Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls, both in Ohiopyle State Park – only require a short stroll. Just a few minutes away from Ohiopyle sits Fallingwater, perhaps one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous homes. It’s built atop a waterfall. Sign up for a tour of the home, or explore the grounds. (There is a fee for both.) Either way, you’ll have picture-perfect views of the unique waterfall. Bushkill Falls, a private park, boasts eight waterfalls that are accessible by one of several hikes.
Is Raymondskill Falls in Pennsylvania the state’s tallest waterfall?
Dropping down three gorgeous tiers, Raymondskill Falls ranks as Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall. It cascades down 150 feet and, if you add up each of the tiers, it’s slightly shorter than Niagara Falls. To reach the breathtaking cascade, follow the .03-mile Raymondskill Creek Trail. While it is a short and sweet trail, it does pose some challenges, including climbing a rock staircase. However, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views once you arrive at the waterfall. You can view the waterfall from the lower or the upper viewing platform. Don’t forget your camera, because the views are spectacular.
Can I hike to Glen Onoko Falls in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve hiked the Glen Onoko Falls Trail in Pennsylvania, consider yourself lucky. The treacherous trail to the series of cascades, in which Glen Onoko Falls is the highlight, permanently shut down in 2019 – after numerous deaths and countless injuries since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, hikers often fail to heed the closure sign and continue to hike the dangerous path that claimed the life of an elderly hiker in 2022. It often takes more than a dozen rescuers to help each who that finds themselves stranded or injured. Those daring to ignore the closure notices will face a citation and fines. Local authorities do patrol the area.