PA Waterfalls

Exploring Rail Island Run Falls in Tioga County

Photographer standing beside Rail Island Run Falls as the 20-foot-tall waterfall cascades over layered rock ledges in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for directions to Rail Island Run Falls in Tioga County, you’re in the right place!

Wide view of Rail Island Run Falls with a photographer standing at the base of the waterfall in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

Rail Island Run Falls is a picturesque 20-foot waterfall tucked into a rugged gorge just off the Pine Creek Rail Trail, roughly 5.5 miles north of the trail’s Blackwell trailhead.

Regional map showing the location of Rail Island Run Falls north of Blackwell along Pine Creek in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

The waterfall is located roughly 200 yards off the Pine Creek Rail Trail, hidden around a bend in the creek and out of sight from the trail itself.

Lower cascade leading toward Rail Island Run Falls surrounded by rocks, fallen trees, and spring foliage in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

There is no official trail to Rail Island Run Falls; reaching it requires an off-trail scramble up the streambed that should only be attempted by experienced hikers.

Lower waterfall and moss-covered boulders below Rail Island Run Falls in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

Whether hiking or biking the rail trail, you’ll encounter obvious signage marking the point where you’ve reached Rail Island Run.

Rail Island Run trail marker along the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

While the stream itself appears rather unremarkable from the rail trail, the hidden waterfall upstream is anything but.

Electric bike parked along the Pine Creek Rail Trail at the stream leading to Rail Island Run Falls in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

By taking my time and using plenty of caution, I was able to reach the base of the falls in roughly 10 minutes.

Photographer standing below Rail Island Run Falls along the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

Using myself for scale — which is why I include myself in so many waterfall photos — I’d estimate Rail Island Run Falls to be roughly 20 feet tall.

Photographer standing beside Rail Island Run Falls surrounded by moss-covered rocks and spring foliage in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

So if you’re an experienced off-trail hiker looking to discover an under-the-radar waterfall, be sure to check out Rail Island Run Falls.

Rail Island Run Falls flowing over layered rock ledges beside a fallen tree in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

As an added bonus, the views along the Pine Creek Rail Trail are spectacular in every season!

Pine Creek Rail Trail winding beside Pine Creek through the forested Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

20 Must-See Pennsylvania Waterfalls highlights 20 incredible cascades across the state, each one personally visited and photographed by me during decades of exploring the Keystone State.

Nearby Attractions

33 Must-See Attractions in Tioga County showcases more remarkable sights and experiences near Rail Island Run Falls.

A collage of four photographs showcasing natural attractions in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The top left image captures a hiker standing on a rocky overlook, gazing out over a lush, deep green valley with a river snaking through it. The top right photograph shows a high perspective of a waterway cutting through a forested landscape with colorful autumn foliage. The bottom left image features a photographer capturing a tall, cascading waterfall surrounded by dense greenery. The bottom right photo depicts a tranquil lakeside scene with a wooden picnic table and bench, a colorful umbrella, and kayaks resting on the grassy shore, with autumn-touched trees reflecting on the still water.

A Smarter Way to Explore Pennsylvania

Explore Pennsylvania like a pro with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map, showcasing over 1,000 memorable destinations I’ve personally visited across the Keystone State.

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