Exploring Hell’s Hollow Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park

Exploring Hell's Hollow Falls at McConnell's Mill State Park.

If you’re looking for directions to Hell’s Hollow Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park, you’re in the right place!

Hell's Hollow Falls on a summer morning.
The falls on a summer morning.

Hell’s Hollow Falls is a magnificent 15-foot tall waterfall along Hell Run in Lawrence County.

The author at Hell's Hollow Falls.
The author at the falls in early spring.

Despite the name, the hike to Hell’s Hollow Falls is relatively short, flat, and pleasant.

The Hell's Hollow Falls Trail at McConnell's Mill State Park.
The Hell’s Hollow Falls Trail at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

So follow along and discover everything you ever wanted to know about Hell’s Hollow Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park!

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

How Did Hell’s Hollow Falls Get Its Name?

To understand how Hell’s Hollow Falls got its name, it is important to understand the history and geology of the area.

Sign at trail head with history of Hell's Hollow Falls.
Sign at trail head.

The Greater Slippery Rock Creek Gorge (of which Hell’s Hollow is a part) is an area rich in limestone, and in the 1850’s a lime kiln was built next to the falls, for the purpose of extracting lime from limestone.

Lime kiln remnants near the top of Hell's Hollow Falls.
Lime kiln remnants near the top of the falls.

Among other things, lime was/is used as a component in fertilizer, mortar, and plaster.

Wet crossing of Hell Run near the base of Hells Hollow Falls.
The lime kiln is located behind the screen panel at the top of the stairs.

Limestone was dumped into the lime kiln (a large brick-lined pit dug into the hillside, with openings at top and bottom) and then heated by burning wood/charcoal on top of it.

As the “stone” component burned off, the lime was left behind and removed from the opening at the bottom/side of the pit.

Looking into the lime kiln on the side of Hell's Hollow Falls from the bottom opening in the kiln.
Looking into the lime kiln from the bottom opening in the kiln.

This burning of limestone and fuel gave off a lot of smoke, odor, and a red glow that certainly would have given the hollow a “hellish” appearance and smell (especially at night) – thus the name “Hell’s Hollow”!

Wide-angle view of Hell's Hollow Falls and the stairs leading to the bottom of the falls.
Wide-angle view of the falls.

How to Find Hell’s Hollow Falls

Hell’s Hollow Falls is located in the northwestern corner of McConnell’s Mill State Park, just off of Shaffer Road (see map below).

Map to Hell's Hollow Falls.
Map to the falls.

The parking lot for Hell’s Hollow Falls can be found at the following GPS coordinates: 40.931363, -80.239991.

The parking area is large enough for roughly two dozen vehicles, there’s a porta-potty on the left side of the parking lot, and a few informational kiosks near the trailhead on the right side of the lot.

The parking lot at the Hell's Hollow Falls trailhead.
The parking lot at the trailhead.

Hiking to Hell’s Hollow Falls

The hike to Hell’s Hollow Falls is a half-mile in length (one way), and changes very little in elevation (51 feet – the majority of that being at the falls itself).

Hiking data and map for Hell's Hollow Falls Trail.
Hiking data and trail map.

Leaving the parking lot you’ll cross a footbridge over Hell Run and hike approximately 1/10th of a mile before coming to a “Y” intersection.

Bridge over Hell Run along the Hell's Hollow Trail.
Footbridge over Hell Run.

This is really the only place you could possibly screw up this hike – make sure you stay to the right and follow the arrow towards the falls.

Trail sign along the hike to Hell's Hollow Falls.
Trail sign along the hike to the falls.

You’ll pass some beautiful cascades on Hell Run along the way.

Hell Run along the Hell's Hollow Trail at McConnell's Mill State Park.
Cascades on Hell Run.

A few minutes further down the trail (approximately 4/10ths of a mile) you’ll encounter these stairs.

Stairs leading to the base of Hell's Hollow Falls.
Stairs leading to the base of the falls.

The lime kiln will be immediately to your right when standing at he top of this staircase, and you’ll have a partial view of the top of the falls.

View of the top of Hell's Hollow Falls.
View of the top of the falls.

Best Views of Hell’s Hollow Falls

To fully appreciate Hell’s Hollow Falls it is best to rock-hop across the shallow pool at the bottom of the falls and view it from the rocks on the hill directly across from the stairs.

The two tiers of Hell's Hollow Falls.
The two tiers of the falls.

Hell’s Hollow Falls comes in at around 15 feet tall, and easily twice as wide.

A hiker and his dog at Hell's Hollow Falls, to give you a sense of scale.
A hiker and his dog next to the falls, to give you a sense of scale.

The falls look magnificent after a heavy summer rain.

Hell's Hollow Falls after heavy summer rains.
The falls after heavy summer rains.

In the zoomed-out view below, you can see the grate covering the opening of the lime kiln at the top of the stairs.

A view of Hell's Hollow Falls and the stairs leading down to the bottom of them.
A view of the falls and the stairs leading down to the bottom of it.

After you’ve satisfied your waterfall craving, simply retrace your steps back to your vehicle.

Stream-level view of Hell's Hollow Falls at McConnell's Mill State Park.
Stream-level view.

Final Thoughts

Hell’s Hollow Falls makes for an excellent waterfall outing for hiking enthusiasts of all ages, any time of the year.

Trout fishing at Hell's Hollow Falls in Lawrence County.
Trout fishing at the falls.

It is relatively short, flat hike and features some marvelous scenery on your way to an elegant waterfall and a historic lime kiln.

Side view of Hell's Hollow Falls.
Side view.

I can say without reservation that visiting Hell’s Hollow Falls at least once deserves a spot on your PA Bucket List!

The author at Hell's Hollow Falls.
The author at the falls in the summer of 2023.

Nearby Attractions

Grindstone Falls, located on a tributary of Slippery Rock Creek, is located a mere 10 minute drive from the Hell’s Hollow Falls parking area.

Grindstone Falls at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Grindstone Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

Alpha Falls, at approximately 35 feet, is the tallest waterfall at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

Rusty Glessner at Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
The author at Alpha Falls at McConnell’s Mill State Park

Breakneck Falls is a 25 foot-tall, multi-tiered waterfall located along Cheeseman Run at McConnell’s Mill State Park.

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.

Exploring McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County is your guide to even more things to see and do at the park.

McConnells Mill and Covered Bridge at McConnells Mill State Park.
McConnells Mill and Covered Bridge at McConnells Mill State Park.

Buttermilk Falls is located in neighboring Beaver County, and is one of a handful of Pennsylvania waterfalls that you can stand BEHIND!

The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County PA.
The author behind Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County PA.

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

Big Run Falls in Lawrence County Pennsylvania.
Big Run Falls in Lawrence County.

Moraine State Park is a 16,725-acre recreational area located in neighboring Butler County.

Crescent Bay Overlook on the South Shore of Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park.
Overlooking Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park in Butler County.

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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.