The 27 Best Waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest

Third Falls along Dutters Run in the fall.

The Loyalsock State Forest is a waterfall lover’s paradise!

Emerald Falls near Hillsgrove in Sullivan County Pennsylvania.
Emerald Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Comprised of 114,552 acres scattered across Sullivan, Lycoming, and Bradford counties, there are literally hundreds of waterfalls great and small to be discovered in its midst.

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

What I’m going to present you with in this write-up are my 27 favorite waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest, in alphabetical order.

Triple Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest stand approximately 30 feet tall.
Triple Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

While there are MANY more waterfalls to be discovered and enjoyed in the Loyalsock, this list of 27 is an excellent introduction for those of you just starting to explore this magnificent recreational forest.

Right Angle Falls on Ketchum Run, surrounded by fall foliage.
Right Angle Falls on Ketchum Run in the Loyalsock State Forest, surrounded by fall foliage.

Follow the blue text links in the descriptions of each waterfall to view maps and detailed directions to each one.

Close-up of Little Swamp Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Close-up of Little Swamp Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

And bookmark this post, so that you can refer back to it again and again as you begin or expand your explorations of the waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest!

Summer view of the fifth waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

1. Abbott Run Falls

Abbott Run Falls is the largest in a series of waterfalls on Abbott Run in the McIntyre Wild Area, part of the Loyalsock State Forest in Lycoming County.

Ice formations surrounding Abbott Run Falls.
Ice formations surrounding Abbott Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

2. Alpine Falls

Alpine Falls is located along the Loyalsock Trail north of Worlds End State Park, or a short hike from Loyalsock Road via the Crane Spur Trail.

Alpine Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Alpine Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

3. Angel Falls

Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Loyalsock State Forest at 70 feet tall, accessible via a short side hike from the Loyalsock Trail.

Summer at Angel Falls in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.
Summer at Angel Falls in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.

4. Coal Run Falls

Coal Run Falls is a series of small, unnamed waterfalls and cascades along a 1/2 mile stretch of this stream just below Sones Pond in Sullivan County.

Unnamed waterfall along Coal Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Unnamed waterfall along Coal Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

5. Cottonwood Falls

Cottonwood Falls is a popular spot along the Double Run Trail, which most people hike when visiting Worlds End State Park.

Cottonwood Falls along the Double Run Trail in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Cottonwood Falls along the Double Run Trail in the Loyalsock State Forest.

6. Dry Run Falls

Dry Run Falls is probably the most popular roadside waterfall in the Loyalsock State Forest. Located along Dry Run Road in Sullivan County, just off of Route 87.

Incredible fall foliage around Dry Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Incredible fall foliage around Dry Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

7. Dutchman Falls

Dutchman Falls is located near the eastern terminus of the Loyalsock Trail, just off of Route 220.

Dutchman Falls in the summer.
Dutchman Falls in the summer.

8. Dutchman’s Run Falls

Dutchman’s Run Falls is the largest of several waterfalls on Dutchman’s Run in the McIntyre Wild Area portion of the Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County.

Dutchmans Run Falls in the McIntyre Wild Area on a winter day.
Dutchmans Run Falls in the McIntyre Wild Area on a winter day.

9. Dutters Run Falls

Dutters Run Falls are a series of 6 waterfalls located along or near the Loyalsock Trail in Sullivan County, not far from Dry Run Road.

Third Falls on Dutters Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Third Falls on Dutters Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

10. East Branch Falls

East Branch Falls is located in the Mill Creek watershed of the Loyalsock State Forest, approximately 4 miles west of Hillsgrove in Sullivan County.

East Branch Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest
East Branch Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest

11. Emerald Falls

Emerald Falls is a picturesque 15 foot-tall waterfall on Swamp Run, north of Hillsgrove.

Downstream view of Emerald Falls along Swamp Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Downstream view of Emerald Falls.

12. Gipson Falls

Gipson Falls is located just downstream from Angel Falls, near Brunnerdale Road in Sullivan County.

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

13. Hounds Run Falls

Hounds Run Falls in the Rock Run Valley is a short hike from Rock Run Road in Lycoming County.

A late autumn view of Hounds Run Falls in the McIntyre Wild Area.
A late autumn view of Hounds Run Falls in the McIntyre Wild Area.

14. Jacoby Falls

Jacoby Falls is a popular Lycoming County hiking spot, located off of Wallis Run Road in the Loyalsock State Forest.

A winter afternoon at Jacoby Falls.
A winter afternoon at Jacoby Falls.

15. Ketchum Run Falls

Ketchum Run Falls is located just off the Ketchum Run Trail and High Knob Road in Sullivan County, not far from Worlds End State Park.

Ketchum Run Falls in the summer.
Ketchum Run Falls in the summer.

16. Lee’s Falls

Lee’s Falls is located along the Loyalsock Trail on Ketchum Run, Sullivan County.

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

17. Little Swamp Run Falls

Little Swamp Run Falls is an 8 foot-tall waterfall located a quarter mile upstream from Emerald Falls.

Little Swamp Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Little Swamp Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

18. Middle Branch Falls

Middle Branch Falls is located in the Mill Creek watershed near Hillsgrove, Sullivan County.

Middle Branch Falls on Mill Creek in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.
Middle Branch Falls on Mill Creek in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.

19. Mill Creek Falls

Mill Creek Falls is a popular swimming hole / waterfall just minutes from Hillsgrove in Sullivan County.

Mill Creek Falls near Hillsgrove Pennsylvania.
Mill Creek Falls near Hillsgrove.

20. Mineral Spring Falls

Mineral Spring Falls is a popular roadside waterfall near (but not in) Worlds End State Park.

Mineral Spring Falls near Worlds End State Park
Mineral Spring Falls near Worlds End State Park

21. Miners Run Falls

Miners Run Falls are a series of 6 waterfalls on Miners Run, located in the McIntyre Wild Area portion of the Loyalsock State Forest.

The first waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
The first waterfall on Miners Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

22. Right Angle Falls

Right Angle Falls is one of several waterfalls along Ketchum Run in Sullivan County.

Right Angle Falls on Ketchum Run, surrounded by fall foliage.
Right Angle Falls on Ketchum Run, surrounded by fall foliage.

23. Rode Falls

Rode Falls is a popular camping spot along the Loyalsock Trail, located downstream from Lee’s Falls and Ketchum Run Falls.

An autumn view of Rode Falls along the Loyalsock Trail.
An autumn view of Rode Falls along the Loyalsock Trail.

24. Rusty Run Falls

Rusty Run Falls is located off a popular bridle trail (horses allowed) along Shanerburg Road in Sullivan County.

A close-up look at Rusty Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
A close-up look at Rusty Run Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

25. Tamarack Falls

Tamarack Falls is a short (but off-trail) hike from Loyalsock Road, not far from Sones Pond in Sullivan County.

Tamarack Falls off of Loyalsock Road in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Tamarack Falls off of Loyalsock Road in the Loyalsock State Forest.

26. Triple Falls

Triple Falls is a 25 foot-tall, triple-tiered waterfall located 0.4 miles upstream from Emerald Falls, along Swamp Run.

Approaching Triple Falls along Swamp Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Approaching Triple Falls along Swamp Run in the Loyalsock State Forest.

27. Warburton Hollow Falls

Warburton Hollow Falls is a series of waterfalls along a beautiful mountain stream in the Loyalsock State Forest, 3 miles north of Hillsgrove in Sullivan County.

Exploring Warburton Hollow Falls in Sullivan County Pennsylvania.
The author at Warburton Hollow Falls.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – my 27 favorite waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

Downstream view of East Branch Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
Downstream view of East Branch Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest.

By no means a complete inventory, but certainly a great list to get you started in your explorations of this epic tract of public land!

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

Nearby Attractions

The Loyalsock State Forest is also known for stunning mountain vistas, and you’ll find directions to some of the finest ones in my write-up “The 8 Best Scenic Overlooks Near Worlds End State Park“.

Loyalsock Canyon Vista Sullivan County Pennsylvania
Loyalsock Canyon Vista at Worlds End State Park.

The Ultimate PA Waterfalls Guide is the finest guide to Pennsylvania waterfalls you’ll find anywhere on the web!

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Guide created by Rusty Glessner
The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide on PABucketlist.com.

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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.