The 15 Best Waterfall Streams in Pennsylvania

An autumn scene from the third waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Pennsylvania is home to some of the best waterfall streams in the United States!

A photographer takes in the scene at Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
A photographer takes in the scene at Big Falls on Heberly Run in Sullivan County, PA.

With more than 86,000 miles of rivers, creeks, and streams (second only to Alaska), that should come as no surprise.

Unnamed waterfall on Raymondskill Creek in Pike County PA
Unnamed waterfall on Raymondskill Creek in Pike County PA

But not all waterfall streams are created equally, and some truly stand out above all others in Pennsylvania?

Which ones?

I’ve got the answer right here – my directory of the 15 best waterfall streams in Pennsylvania!


Making the Grade

So how did I choose the 15 streams that appear on this list?

For me there were two main criteria for being named one of the 15 best waterfall streams in Pennsylvania.

First, the stream has to contain multiple waterfalls – the most bang for your buck.

A summer scene at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
A summer scene at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

Second, the area around the falls and between the falls needs to be as picturesque as the falls themselves.

A downstream view of the sixth waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
A downstream view of the sixth waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

So with those two conditions as my guide, I give you, in no particular order, the 15 best waterfall streams in Pennsylvania!

For each waterfall listed below, simply click on the the blue text link in the description to view a map/directions to that waterfall.


Kitchen Creek

Harrison Wright Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania.
Harrison Wright Falls on Kitchen Creek at Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County.

Let’s get this one out of the way first. The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is arguably the most famous waterfall hike in Pennsylvania. And Kitchen Creek in Luzerne County is the stream where the falls live!

Aside from the 21 named falls along the Falls Trail, Kitchen Creek is also home to Adams Falls near where the creek passses under Route 118.

Adams Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania
Adams Falls on Kitchen Creek at Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County.

Jonathan Run

A selfie at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
The author at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

Jonathan Run at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County is home to 2 magnificent waterfalls and several smaller water features, as well as outstanding surrounding scenery.

Snow and ice at Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
Snow and ice at Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

No matter the season, Jonathan Run is truly one of the best waterfall streams in Pennsylvania.


Raymondskill Creek

Raymondskill Falls in Pennsylvania
Upper and middle tiers of Raymondskill Falls in Pike County PA.

Raymondskill Creek in Pike County is home to Raymondskill Falls – billed as the “the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania” by the National Park Service.

At 178 feet tall, this multi-tiered waterfall is an impressive spectacle, whether you consider it one waterfall or several waterfalls located close together.

The bottom tier of Raymondskill Falls in PIke County.
The bottom tier of Raymondskill Falls in Pike County.

There are also several smaller but equally impressive waterfalls upstream from Raymondskill Falls.

Unnamed waterfall on Raymondskill Creek upstream from Raymondskill Falls.
Unnamed waterfall on Raymondskill Creek upstream from Raymondskill Falls.

Miners Run

An autumn scene from the first waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
An autumn scene from the first waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Miners Run in Lycoming County is home to at least 6 significant waterfalls and countless smaller water features as you hike upstream in this superb waterfall gorge in the McIntyre Wild Area.

An autumn scene from the fourth waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
An autumn scene from the fourth waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Not only does Miners Run contain a lot of waterfalls, but the surrounding scenery, including the Balanced Rock on Miners Run, is remarkable as well.

The Balanced Rock on Miners Run in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
The Balanced Rock on Miners Run in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

Little Fourmile Run

Fourth Falls along the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Fourth Falls along Little Fourmile Run at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County.

Little Fourmile Run is paralleled by the famous Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County.

The four main waterfalls along the Turkey Path are accompanied by numerous smaller cascades and splendid scenery all along this extremely popular hiking trail.

Waterfall on Little Fourmile Run along the Turkey Path.
Waterfall on Little Fourmile Run along the Turkey Path.

Tioga County is home to many fantastic waterfalls, but Little Fourmile Run is one of THE BEST waterfall streams there.


Fall Brook

Fall Brook at Salt Springs State Park in Susquehanna County flows through a breathtaking gorge carved by glaciers.

The first waterfall on Fall Brook at Salt Springs State Park
The first waterfall on Fall Brook at Salt Springs State Park in Susquehanna County.

There are 3 main waterfalls along Fall Brook, and the entire gorge passes through an old growth hemlock forest.

Third waterfall on Fall Brook at Salt Springs State Park in Pennsylvania
Third waterfall on Fall Brook at Salt Springs State Park, Susquehanna County.

Heberly Run

A wall of ice surrounding Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
A wall of ice surrounding Big Falls on Heberly Run in Sullivan County, PA.

Heberly Run winds its way through the heart of State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County.

An autumn view of Lewis Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
An autumn view of Lewis Falls on Heberly Run in Sullivan County, PA.

Truly an all-season destination, Heberly Run is home to 4 named waterfalls and some of the most incredible “leaf peeping” anywhere in Pennsylvania!


Hornbecks Creek

Indian Ladder Falls along Hornsbeck Creek in Pike County Pennsylvania
Indian Ladder Falls along Upper Hornbecks Creek in Pike County.

Hornbecks Creek in Pike County is home to numerous waterfalls and water features.

Part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Hornbecks Creek is one of the best waterfall streams in the Poconos.

Waterfall along Upper Hornsbeck Trail in Pike County Pennsylvania
Waterfall along Upper Hornbecks Creek in Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Abbott Run

Large unnamed waterfall on Abbott Run in Lycoming County Pennsylvania
Large unnamed waterfall on Abbott Run in Lycoming County

Abbott Run in the McIntyre Wild Area of Lycoming County is one of the more remote streams on the list of 15.

The author at Abbott Run Falls on a winter day.
The author at Abbott Run Falls on a winter day.

Home to several large waterfalls and numerous small cascades, Abbott Run is one of several challenging but rewarding waterfall hikes in Lycoming County.


Bear Run

Waterfalls along Bear Run in the Tioga State Forest near Colton Point State Park
Bear Run near Colton Point State Park in Tioga County.

There are countless Bear Runs in Pennsylvania, but the Bear Run Falls referred to here are off of Colton Road, near Colton Point State Park.

Rusty Glessner at Lower Bear Run Falls in Tioga County Pennsylvania
The author at Lower Bear Run Falls in Tioga County

The waterfalls on Bear Run range in size from 8 footers up to 60 feet tall at the massive Lower Bear Run Falls.


Falls Run

Angel Falls in Pennsylvania's Loyalsock State Forest.
Angel Falls on Falls Run in Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock State Forest.

Falls Run in the Loyalsock State Forest is home to several large waterfalls, including the 70 foot tall Angel Falls pictured above.

A summer afternoon at Gipson Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
A summer afternoon at Gipson Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Gipson Falls is just a few minutes downstream from Angel Falls, and checks in at around 20 feet tall.


Ketchum Run

Ketchum Run Falls in the summer.
Ketchum Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Ketchum Run may be the prettiest waterfall stream in the Loyalsock State Forest.

An autumn view of Rode Falls along the Loyalsock Trail.
An autumn view of Rode Falls along Ketchum Run and the Loyalsock Trail.

There are at least 4 main waterfalls and countless smaller cascades along Ketchum Run.

An autumn view of Lee's Falls on Ketchum Run.
An autumn view of Lee’s Falls on Ketchum Run.

Part of the hike along Ketchum Run utilizes the lesser-known Ketchum Run Trail, while the lower portion of Ketchum Run lies along the world-famous Loyalsock Trail.

Autumn comes to Right Angle Falls along Ketchum Run.
Autumn comes to Right Angle Falls along Ketchum Run.

Ketchum Run is just minutes from Worlds End State Park, home to more incredible waterfalls and scenic overlooks.


Dingmans Creek

Dingmans Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania
Dingmans Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania

Dingmans Creek is home to the second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, 130 foot tall Dingmans Falls pictured above.

Upstream from Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Creek is home to 3 named waterfalls inside Childs Park, currently closed for storm damage clean-up.

Factory Falls at George Childs Park in PA
Factory Falls on Dingmans Creek in Childs Park, Pike County.

With any luck Childs Park will reopen to visitors in 2021.

How to find Deer Leap Falls in the Delaware Water Gap
Deer Leap Falls on Dingmans Creek at Childs Park in Pike County.

Pigeon Run

Vibrant springtime foliage along Pigeon Run on State Game Lands 13.
Vibrant springtime foliage along Pigeon Run on State Game Lands 13.

Pigeon Run on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County is home to at least a half dozen impressive waterfalls.

Rusty Glessner at Pigeon Run Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County.
The author at Pigeon Run Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County.

Pigeon Run is a short hike from the much better known and nearly-roadside Sullivan Falls.

Springtime at Sullivan Falls in Sullivan County.
Springtime at Sullivan Falls in Sullivan County.

Dutters Run

Third Falls along Dutters Run in the fall.
Dutters Run in Sullivan County.

Dutters Run in Sullivan County is home to at least 6 waterfalls, some located off-trail and some right along the Loyalsock Trail.

Second Falls on Dutters Run in the springtime.
Second Falls on Dutters Run in the springtime.

The trailhead for the Dutters Run hike is just above Dry Run Falls, as Dutters Run is a tributary of Dry Run.

Autumn comes to Dry Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Autumn comes to Dry Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Honorable Mention: Glen Onoko Run

Chameleon Falls along the Glen Onoko Waterfalls Trail in Pennsylvania
The author at Chameleon Falls on Glen Onoko Run in 2018.

Once one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania (perhaps second only to the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen), Glen Onoko Run was made “off limits” by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in May of 2019.

Terrace Falls at Glen Onoko near Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania
Terrace Falls on Glen Onoko Run near Jim Thorpe, PA.

Hopefully at some point in the future folks will once again be able to legally hike this trail, but in the meantime be aware that although the falls and trail are still there, the Game Commission will cite you for trespassing if you’re caught visiting the falls on Glen Onoko Run.


So there you have it – my 15 best waterfall streams in Pennsylvania!

How to find Fulmer Falls in the Delaware Water Gap
Fulmer Falls on Dingmans Creek in the Delaware Water Gap National recreation Area.

Which ones do you agree with?

Did any of your favorites NOT make the list?

Feel free to chime in with your suggestions in the comments section!


Can’t Get Enough Waterfalls?

Then be sure to check out The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide, your TOTALLY FREE source of information on HUNDREDS of Pennsylvania’s Best Waterfalls!

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Guide created by Rusty Glessner

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.