Let’s talk waterfalls, not the crowded ones where everyone’s fighting for a photo, but the kind that actually make you stop and stare.
This place? It’s on a whole different level, with dozens of waterfalls lined up one after another, from tall and wide to wild cascades crashing down rock walls.
Some you can stand beside and feel the mist, while others are tucked deep in the woods, like a hidden surprise around every bend.
The best part is that hardly anyone outside of Pennsylvania knows about it, making it a true adventure through a waterfall-packed wonderland.
Ready to find out where it is and how to make the most of it? Keep reading because you’ll definitely want to add this spot to your list.
Where Is It?
Ricketts Glen State Park lies where Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties meet in the state’s northeast corner.
It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Philadelphia, just under 2 hours from Harrisburg, and roughly 4 hours from Pittsburgh.
If you’re coming from Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, the park’s under an hour away, so it’s totally doable for a weekend adventure or even a day trip.
About
Ricketts Glen State Park is the kind of place everyone raves about after visiting, and it’s easy to see why.
The park spans over 13,000 acres of stunning scenery, including old-growth forests filled with towering hemlocks and oaks that are over 300 years old.
But what truly sets it apart is its epic waterfall trail system, which features 22 named waterfalls along the Falls Trail.
The highlight is Ganoga Falls, a breathtaking 94-foot drop that makes this park your ultimate waterfall-chasing dream come true.
You can also hit up plenty of other hiking trails, enjoy swimming or boating on the 245-acre Lake Jean, or simply picnic and relax by the water.
If fishing’s more your style, the lake is stocked with bass, crappie, and trout, and it’s open year-round, even for ice fishing in winter.
For an overnight stay, you can set up at the campground with 120 sites or book one of the park’s cabins or cottages.
And if you happen to stay in the fall, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow leaves in every direction.
Yes, it’s open in winter too, and the scene completely changes as parts of the trails freeze, the waterfalls turn to ice, and brave folks try ice climbing.
So whether you’re here to hike, paddle, fish, camp, leaf-peep, or just stare in awe at waterfall after waterfall, Ricketts Glen seriously delivers.
What To Expect
Now let’s talk about what it’s really like to explore Ricketts Glen State Park, because this isn’t your average stroll through the woods.
If you’re taking on the Falls Trail (you definitely should), expect a 7.2-mile loop if you hike the full route, with shorter options available if you’d rather keep it light.
There are plenty of ups and downs along the way, with slippery stone steps, narrow paths, and about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so be ready to break a sweat.
You’ll pass waterfall after waterfall, each with its own name and character, including Cayuga Falls, which tumbles 11 feet in a dramatic curtain.
Another highlight is Tuscarora Falls, a 47-footer that crashes into a mossy rock bed like something straight out of a fantasy movie.
As you hike, the trail winds along two branches of Kitchen Creek, filling the air with the steady sound of rushing water.
You’ll also come across footbridges, wooden stairs, and rock scrambles, with lots of great places to pause for pictures (don’t forget to bring your camera).
But if you’re looking for something easier, there are shorter trails like the 0.8-mile Evergreen Trail that still show off those old-growth trees without the climb.
Basically, expect to feel like you’ve stepped into Pennsylvania’s secret waterfall kingdom, and know that the effort to get there is totally worth it.
Know Before You Go
Hours and Fees
Ricketts Glen State Park is open every day, year-round, from sunrise to sunset.
The only exception is during icy weather, when sections of the Falls Trail may be closed for safety due to wild winter conditions.
There’s no entrance fee, which is incredible given how beautiful the park is.
Best Time to Visit
If you’re planning to hike the full Falls Trail, aim for late spring through fall when the waterfalls are strongest, the trails are clear, and the views are unbeatable.
Fall is easily the most photogenic season, but it’s also the busiest, so plan to visit on a weekday if you want to avoid crowds.
Summer weekends can also get packed, especially around Lake Jean and the main trailheads, so arrive before 10 a.m. to secure parking and get an early start.
Getting There
Plug 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814 into your GPS.
The main entrance and visitor center sit right off Route 487, with parking available at several trailheads, including Lake Rose and Beach Lot #2 near Lake Jean.
Facilities and Tips
- You’ll find restrooms and picnic areas near the lake, plus a snack bar open in summer.
- Cell service is limited, so download maps in advance or grab a paper copy at the visitor center.
- Bring water, snacks, and layers (even in summer), as the area near the falls can feel cool and misty.
Basically, pack as if you’re setting off on a mini adventure, because that’s the experience waiting for you here.
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