PA Waterfalls

Exploring Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County

Collage of four images featuring Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, including various views of the multi-tiered waterfall cascading through a forested ravine, a hiker standing at the base of the falls, and the Rattlesnake Creek Road trailhead sign marking the route through State Game Lands 221.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, you’re in the right place!

A hiker in an orange jacket and blue cap stands ankle-deep in the stream below the upper tier of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, using a walking stick while admiring the wide, multi-tiered cascade flowing over mossy rock ledges in a forested ravine on State Game Lands 221.

Rattlesnake Falls is a multi-tiered, 20 foot tall waterfall located on State Game Lands 211, near Mountainhome.

A scenic view of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, featuring the multi-tiered cascade flowing over mossy rock ledges surrounded by rhododendrons and forested terrain on State Game Lands 221.

The hike to Rattlesnake Falls covers 1.2 miles (2.4 miles round-trip), with most of that following an old forest road, making for easy hiking.

A wide, gravel forest road flanked by rhododendron and leafless trees, leading through State Game Lands 221 in Monroe County, PA on the hike to Rattlesnake Falls.

A short-but-steep descent at the very end of the hike leads to the bottom of the upper tier of Rattlesnake Falls.

Trail map showing the route to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, with the path labeled Rattlesnake Creek Road leading through State Game Lands 221 from the parking area to the waterfall, overlaid on a topographic background.

Directions to Rattlesnake Falls

The State Game Lands 211 parking area at the trailhead can be found at the end of Pleasant Ridge Road, a paved road in good condition as of April 2025.

If navigating by GPS (which I highly recommend), use coordinates 41.17979, -75.28794 to find the game lands parking area, pictured below.

Gravel parking area near the gated forest access road leading to Rattlesnake Falls on State Game Lands 221 in Monroe County, PA, with a red pickup truck parked beside game lands signage and surrounded by leafless trees and rhododendron.

The hike follows Rattlesnake Creek Road, around the gate and up the hill, for approximately one mile.

Rattlesnake Creek Road sign near the parking area for the hike to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County Pennsylvania.

Approximately 1/10th of a mile into the hike, you’ll have to make a wet crossing of Rattlesnake Run, which is shallow and fairly easy to rock-hop across at this point.

A shallow creek crossing on the forest trail to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, with leaf-covered ground, scattered branches, and rhododendron lining both sides of the path through State Game Lands 221.

Continue along Rattlesnake Creek Road another 9/10ths of a mile, until you encounter the trail pictured below, diverging to the left.

A fork in the leaf-covered trail on State Game Lands 221 near Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, with an orange game lands marker on a tree and dense rhododendron flanking both paths.

Take the trail to the left and follow it for roughly 140 yards, where it opens up into a large circular clearing with several campfire rings present.

Close-up trail map highlighting the intersection and final approach to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, with labeled features including Rattlesnake Creek, a trail clearing, and a yellow-dashed path through State Game Lands 221 leading to the waterfall.

The short-but steep descent to the falls is on the right side of the clearing.

A wooded clearing with two fire rings near the rim of a steep slope, marked with an arrow labeled "Descent to Falls," indicating the start of the rugged trail down to Rattlesnake Falls on State Game Lands 221 in Monroe County, PA.

The descent consists of climbing down a series of rocks and roots for roughly 30 feet, with the aid of a rope that someone (not me – so use it at your own risk) attached to a tree at the top of the descent.

A steep and rugged trail descent to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, featuring exposed tree roots, loose rocks, and a rope tied to a tree to aid hikers on this challenging section of the path through State Game Lands 221.

This will put you directly at the base of the upper tier of Rattlesnake Falls (GPS coordinates 41.18258, -75.30612.)

The upper tier of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, with water cascading over a wide series of mossy rock ledges into a shallow pool, framed by rhododendron and rugged stone cliffs on State Game Lands 221.

Photographing Rattlesnake Falls

Rattlesnake Falls, like the name implies, twists its way down the little gorge it resides in, meaning you can photograph it from multiple vantage points.

A hiker in an orange jacket and rubber boots stands with a walking stick at the base of Rattlesnake Falls, admiring the multi-tiered cascade tumbling over mossy rock ledges in a forested hollow on State Game Lands 221 in Monroe County, PA.

If you want to photograph the bottom tier of the falls, the easiest way to do that is simply cross the shallow water at the base of the upper tier and climb down the bank on the opposite side of the stream

Lower tier of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, where several short cascades spill over mossy rock ledges into a shallow pool, surrounded by dense rhododendron and forest growth on State Game Lands 221.

My favorite vantage point was from the near side, where with the aid of a wide angle lens, I was able to photograph all the tiers that make up Rattlesnake Falls.

All three tiers of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County Pennsylvania.

There is really no bad vantage point here, so take your time and enjoy them all!

The upper and middle tiers of Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County Pennsylvania.

When you’ve had your fill of Rattlesnake Falls, simply backtrack to the parking area where Rattlesnake Creek Road meets Pleasant Ridge Road.

A gently uphill stretch of trail lined with dense rhododendron on both sides, winding through leaf-littered forest on the hike to Rattlesnake Falls in Monroe County, PA, within State Game Lands 221.

While I did not encounter any rattlesnakes on my mid-April hike (nor did I expect to), I did encounter a porcupine meandering along Rattlesnake Creek Road, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife of all sorts.

A porcupine with dark fur and white-tipped quills rests on a gravel and leaf-strewn trail near Rattlesnake Falls on State Game Lands 221 in Monroe County, PA.

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Nearby Attractions

7 Must-See Attractions in Monroe County showcases more remarkable sights and experiences near Rattlesnake Falls.

A collage of four images highlighting attractions in Monroe County, Pennsylvania: the top left shows a hiker admiring Rattlesnake Falls cascading through a mossy woodland setting; the top right features the colorful entrance and vendor booths inside Olde Engine Works Market Place; the bottom left displays framed illustrations and sculptures in a gallery room at the Frazetta Art Museum; and the bottom right captures the rushing waters of Tumbling Waters surrounded by lush green forest.

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