15 Must-See Waterfalls in Western Pennsylvania

The author at Hell's Hollow Falls.
The author at Hell's Hollow Falls.

If you’re looking for the best waterfalls in western Pennsylvania, you’re in the right place!

Hell's Hollow Falls after heavy summer rains.
Hell’s Hollow Falls after heavy summer rains.

Western Pennsylvania waterfalls are numerous, and they are beautiful!

Springfield Falls on State Game Lands 284 in Mercer County Pennsylvania.
Springfield Falls on State Game Lands 284 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

This article presents you with directions to 15 western Pennsylvania waterfalls within a 90 minute drive of Pittsburgh.

Logan Falls in Forest County PA
Logan Falls in Forest County, PA

Simply click on the blue text link in each waterfall description to see maps, directions, and additional photos of that waterfall.

Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County Pennsylvania.
The author at Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls in Beaver County.

1. Fall Run Falls

Fall Run Falls in Allegheny County has the distinction of being the largest waterfall near downtown Pittsburgh!

Exploring Fall Run Falls in Allegheny County Pennsylvania.
The author at Fall Run Falls in Allegheny County.

Located a mere 7 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Fall Run Falls is a beautiful 18 foot tall waterfall tucked away in a nature park that is surrounded on all sides by housing developments.

Side view of Fall Run Falls in Glenshaw Pennsylvania.
Side view of Fall Run Falls.

2. Alpha Falls

Alpha Falls is a 35-foot tall, somewhat temperamental waterfall located at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County.

Rusty Glessner at Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
The author at Alpha Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park, one of the tallest western Pennsylvania waterfalls.

While it takes a HARD rain to get this one flowing well in the summer, it does present with some spectacular ice formations in the winter.

Ice formations at Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
Ice formations at Alpha Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

3. Grindstone Falls

Don’t look for Grindstone Falls on the “official” McConnell’s Mill State Park map, because it isn’t on there.

Fall foliage surrounding Grindstone Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
Fall foliage surrounding Grindstone Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

But rest assured this 8-footer does exist in the southeastern portion of the park, a 10-minute hike from the parking area along Mountville Road.

The author visiting Grindstone Falls.
The author visiting Grindstone Falls.

4. Hell’s Hollow Falls

Hell’s Hollow Falls is actually an easy waterfall to get to, despite the name.

When visiting Hell's Hollow Falls on a snowy day it is often surrounded by ice and snow as it is in this photo.
Hell’s Hollow Falls surrounded by ice and snow on a March morning.

It’s found at the end of a simple 10-minute hike along a fairly flat trail at McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County.

The two tiers of Hell's Hollow Falls.
The two tiers of Hell’s Hollow Falls.

5. Breakneck Falls

Breakneck Falls is a 25 foot-tall, multi-tiered waterfall located along Cheeseman Run, a tributary of Slippery Rock Creek.

Breakneck Falls is located along Cheeseman Run, a tributary of Slippery Rock Creek.
Breakneck Falls is located along Cheeseman Run, a tributary of Slippery Rock Creek.

Breakneck Falls is certainly not the tallest or “most-reliable” of all the waterfalls at McConnell’s Mill State Park, but the nature of the hike and the setting it resides in makes it a favorite of many park visitors.

First view of Breakneck Falls from the trail.
First view of Breakneck Falls from the trail.

6. Quaker Falls

Quaker Falls is the centerpiece of the newly-created Quaker Falls Recreation Area in Lawrence County, and just may be the westernmost waterfall in Pennsylvania.

Downstream view of Quaker Falls, also known as Quakertown Falls in Lawrence County PA
Downstream view of Quaker Falls, also known as Quakertown Falls, in Lawrence County.

A quick and easy view of Quaker Falls can be had from above, while a short but challenging hike awaits those who wish to see the falls from stream level.

Quaker Falls as viewed from the parking lot at Quaker Falls Recreation Area in Lawrence County Pennsylvania.
Quaker Falls as viewed from the parking lot at Quaker Falls Recreation Area in Lawrence County.

7. Freedom Falls

Freedom Falls in Venango County is located near the remnants of an iron forge and the ghost town of Freedom.

Freedom Falls along Rockland Station Road in Venango County.
Freedom Falls along Rockland Station Road in Venango County.

8. Springfield Falls

Springfield Falls is a beautiful roadside waterfall in Mercer County.

Exploring Springfield Falls in Mercer County Pennsylvania.
The author at Springfield Falls.

Standing 20 feet tall and close to 40 feet wide, Springfield Falls spans the entire width of Hunters Run on State Game Lands 284.

Springfield Falls on a spring morning in Mercer County, PA.
Springfield Falls on a spring morning.

9. Rapp Run Falls

Rapp Run Falls is located on State Game Lands 72, just minutes from downtown Clarion.

Rapp Run Falls in Clarion County PA
Rapp Run Falls in Clarion County, Pennsylvania

10. Logan Falls

Logan Falls is located 9 miles from Marienville, Forest County, in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest.

Logan Falls near Marienville Pennsylvania
Logan Falls near Marienville, Pennsylvania

11. Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County

Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County gives visitors the opportunity to walk behind a waterfall in this county park setting.

Summertime view of Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County Pennsylvania
Summertime view of Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County.

12. Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County

Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County is yet another waterfall that you can stand behind, in a picturesque park setting just a few hundred yards from the Beaver Falls exit of the PA Turnpike.

The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County PA.
The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County, a western Pennsylvania waterfall you can stand behind.

13. Big Run Falls

Big Run Falls in New Castle, Lawrence County is a 20 foot tall waterfall at the heart of an abandoned amusement park turned nature park.

Big Run Falls at Cascade Park in Lawrence County.
Big Run Falls in New Castle, Lawrence County.

14. Buttermilk Falls in Armstrong County

Buttermilk Falls in Armstrong County is short in stature but long on beauty, located along a rail trail that parallels Cowanshannock Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River.

Buttermilk Falls near Kittanning Pennsylvania.
Buttermilk Falls near Kittanning in Armstrong County.

15. Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls

Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls is a 10-foot tall waterfall located just off of Route 18 at Raccoon Creek State Park.

Exploring Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County Pennsylvania.
The author at Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls.

This Beaver County waterfall is located next to the ruins of a Victorian-era resort and health spa.

Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls and the horseshoe-shaped rock grotto that surrounds it at Raccoon Creek State Park.
Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls and the horseshoe-shaped rock grotto that surrounds it.

Nearby Attractions

If you like road trips, I’ve mapped out the ultimate “Waterfalls Near Pittsburgh Road Trip” just for you!

The best waterfalls near Pittsburgh road map and itinerary.
The best waterfalls near Pittsburgh road map and itinerary.

24 Must-See Waterfalls in the PA Laurel Highlands is your guide to the best waterfalls just east of Pittsburgh.

Selfie at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park
The author at Lower Jonathan Run Falls in the PA Laurel Highlands.

The Best Waterfalls in the Poconos Road Trip takes you on a great waterfall tour of eastern Pennsylvania.

A road map to the best waterfalls in the Poconos region of eastern Pennsylvania.
The Best Waterfalls in the Poconos road trip.

20 Must-See Pennsylvania Waterfalls is your guide to the best waterfalls from across the entire state of PA!

Harrison Wright Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania.
Harrison Wright Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park.

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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.