PA Waterfalls

Exploring Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County

A collage of four photos related to Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA. The top left image shows the 25-foot-tall waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks into a pool below. The top right image features a wooden and metal footbridge crossing Hornbecks Creek, part of the trail leading to the falls. The bottom left image depicts the trailhead information board for Lower Hornbecks Creek, displaying a detailed map, regulations, and safety tips. The bottom right image is another view of Lower Indian Ladders Falls, highlighting the lush greenery and rocky cliffs surrounding the waterfall within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

If you’re looking for directions to Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, you’re in the right place!

A long-exposure photograph of Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA, capturing the 25-foot-tall waterfall as it cascades over moss-covered rocks into a serene pool below. The surrounding area is lush with green ferns and trees, with the rocky cliffs adding to the natural beauty of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The photo showcases the tranquil yet powerful flow of the falls amidst a forested landscape.

Lower Indian Ladders Falls is a 25 foot-tall waterfall along Lower Hornbecks Creek, located within the 77,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

A close-up view of Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA, showing the 25-foot-tall waterfall as it flows over rocky cliffs into a pool below. The surrounding area is filled with moss-covered rocks, bare trees, and patches of greenery, highlighting the natural beauty of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The image captures the dynamic flow of water and the rugged terrain around Lower Hornbecks Creek.

The Lower Hornbecks Creek Trail, which leads to the waterfall, is managed by the nearby Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC).

An information board at the Lower Hornbecks Creek Trailhead in Pike County, PA, displaying a detailed map of the trail system, including the routes to Upper and Lower Indian Ladders Falls. The board includes park regulations, safety tips, and alerts about preventing tick bites. The map shows the layout of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with markers for parking areas and hiking trails. A small photo of Lower Indian Ladders Falls is included on the board, illustrating the 25-foot-tall waterfall located along Lower Hornbecks Creek.

Directions to Lower Indian Ladders Falls

The hike to Lower Indian Ladders Falls follows the Lower Hornbecks Creek Trail for one mile (making it a two mile out-and-back hike), with multiple stream crossings via footbridges along the way.

A rustic wooden footbridge crossing over Hornbecks Creek in Pike County, PA, as part of the Lower Hornbecks Trail. The bridge, supported by stacked logs and featuring wooden stairs, is surrounded by a forest with bare trees and a leaf-strewn ground, highlighting the natural, rugged terrain of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This bridge is a key landmark on the trail leading to Lower Indian Ladders Falls, a 25-foot-tall waterfall along Lower Hornbecks Creek.

In previous years you could have also hiked to Lower Indian Ladders Falls from Emery Road (passing Upper Indian Ladders Falls along the way), but storms, erosion, and downed trees resulted in that portion of trail between Upper and Lower Indian Ladders Falls being closed.

A detailed trail map of the Hornbecks Creek Trail in Pike County, PA, showing the location of Upper and Lower Indian Ladders Falls. The map highlights the hiking trails, including the Hornbecks Trail and Upper Trail, along with the paths of Hornbecks Creek and Decker Creek. The Lower Indian Ladders Falls is marked near the intersection of Lower Hornbecks Trail and Creek Trail. The map includes distance indicators, parking areas, and the directions to nearby towns Bushkill and Milford, emphasizing the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's layout.

So now you’ll want to park at the Lower Hornbecks Creek Trailhead just off of Route 209.

Look for this large sign along Route 209, directing you to the trailhead parking lot.

A roadside view showing a sign for Hornbecks Trail along Route 209 in Pike County, PA, directing visitors to the parking area for the trail leading to Lower Indian Ladders Falls. The sign is positioned next to a forested area, with the road curving into the distance. The sky is overcast, and the surroundings include grassy patches and trees, indicating the entrance to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where the 25-foot-tall Lower Indian Ladders Falls can be accessed via the trail.

Turn off of Route 209 at the sign and follow this gravel road for approximately 200 yards to the trailhead parking.

A gravel path lined with tall trees leading to the parking area for the Lower Hornbecks Trail in Pike County, PA. The trail provides access to Lower Indian Ladders Falls, a 25-foot-tall waterfall located along Lower Hornbecks Creek within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The image captures the peaceful and forested approach to the trailhead, with the dense tree canopy creating a serene, natural atmosphere for hikers.

If navigating by GPS coordinates, use 41.18700, -74.88541 to find the parking lot, which is large enough to hold at least a dozen vehicles.

A gravel parking area in Pike County, PA, surrounded by a forest with bare trees. Several cars, including a red truck, are parked, indicating the starting point for visitors hiking to Lower Indian Ladders Falls. The parking area is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, providing access to the trail leading to the 25-foot-tall waterfall along Lower Hornbecks Creek. The setting is tranquil, with the forest landscape extending into the distance.

From the parking area, it’s a simple one mile hike along the remnants of an old road grade, crossing numerous footbridges as the trail switches back and forth across Hornbecks Creek.

A wooden and metal footbridge spanning over Hornbecks Creek in Pike County, PA, leading to the trail that takes hikers to Lower Indian Ladders Falls. The bridge is surrounded by a forest of tall, leafless trees, emphasizing the natural and serene environment of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This bridge is a part of the Lower Hornbecks Trail, guiding visitors toward the 25-foot-tall Lower Indian Ladders Falls.

The Lower Hornbecks Creek Trail dead-ends at the base of Lower Indian Ladders Falls (GPS coordinates 41.19480, -74.90259).

A scenic view of Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA, depicting the 25-foot-tall waterfall as it flows over moss-covered rocks into a calm pool below. The surrounding area features rocky cliffs, lush green moss, and bare trees, creating a picturesque natural setting. This waterfall is part of Lower Hornbecks Creek within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, highlighting the serene beauty and rugged terrain of the region.

The waterfall cascades gracefully over moss-covered rocks into a tranquil pool, framed by rugged cliffs and lush greenery.

A picturesque view of Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA, showcasing the 25-foot-tall waterfall as it cascades over rugged, moss-covered rocks into a tranquil pool below. The surrounding cliffs and forested area create a serene and natural setting, highlighting the beauty of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The scene captures the dynamic flow of the waterfall and the lush greenery that characterizes the area along Lower Hornbecks Creek.

The surrounding area is rich with ferns and the natural beauty of the forest, making it a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.

A photograph of Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA, showcasing the 25-foot-tall waterfall as it cascades over moss-covered rocks into a calm pool below. The surrounding area is lush with green ferns and tree trunks, with rocky cliffs framing the waterfall. The image highlights the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where the falls are located along Lower Hornbecks Creek.

When you’ve had your fill of Lower Indian Ladders Falls, simply retrace your steps back to the parking area near Route 209.

A topographic map showing the route to Lower Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, PA. The map highlights the trail leading from a parking area along Route 209 to the 25-foot-tall waterfall located along Lower Hornbecks Creek within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The contours of the map indicate elevation changes, and the path to the falls is marked with a dotted line, guiding hikers through the forested terrain. The Delaware River is visible to the east, emphasizing the proximity of the trail to this major waterway.

Nearby Attractions

Upper Indian Ladders Falls is a 30 foot-tall, multi-tiered waterfall along Upper Hornbecks Creek, just upstream from Lower Indian Ladders Falls.

A collage of four photos capturing the beauty and experience of visiting Upper Indian Ladders Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left and top right images showcase the stunning waterfall with water cascading over rocky tiers, surrounded by a dense forest with scattered fallen branches. The bottom left image features a steep wooden staircase with metal railings, leading down through the forest to the falls. The bottom right image shows the trailhead sign for Upper Hornbecks Creek, displaying a detailed map and safety information for hikers exploring the area.

Raymondskill Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is billed by the National Park Service as the “tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania” at 178 feet tall.

A collection of five images showcasing Raymondskill Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A dynamic view of the waterfall with water streaming over a rocky cliff into a serene pool. Top right: A separate section of the falls where water splits into two paths amid dense trees. Bottom left: The rocky creek bed upstream, dotted with large stones and autumn leaves. Bottom center: A downward angle on the falls, highlighting the cascading water and mist. Bottom right: The hiking trail leading to the falls with rough-hewn stone steps and a wooden handrail, bordered by leaf-strewn ground and forest greenery.

Dingmans Falls in in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area checks in at 130 feet tall, good enough for the title of “second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.”

A collage featuring five images from Dingmans Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left and bottom center photos capture the falls in full force, with water cascading down a series of rocky ledges surrounded by lush greenery. The top right picture showcases the olive-green visitor center with its yellow details and the National Park Service emblem, nestled in the woods. A footbridge leading through the verdant forest is the focus of the bottom left image, inviting exploration. Finally, the bottom right photo offers a close-up of a smaller cascade, with a wooden staircase alongside it, emphasizing the natural rugged terrain of the area. Together, these images create a comprehensive visual tour of the Dingmans Falls area, highlighting both the powerful beauty of the falls and the facilities that welcome visitors to this scenic destination.

Hackers Falls is a 20 foot-tall, fan shaped waterfall located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pike County.

A collage of four photos highlighting different aspects of Hackers Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left image shows the waterfall flowing through a forested area, framed by trees. The top right image captures a close-up of the main waterfall cascading over a rocky ledge into a pool below. The bottom left image features a gravel trail with a signpost indicating the Cliff Trail and Hackers Trail, set within dense woodland. The bottom right image displays the waterfall from a wider angle, showcasing the cascading water over multiple rocky steps, surrounded by lush greenery.

Sawkill and Savantine Falls are a pair of picturesque but seldom-seen waterfalls in the Delaware State Forest.

Collage of four images featuring a hiker at Sawkill and Savantine Falls in the Delaware State Forest, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The images depict the hiker at various viewpoints of the cascading waterfalls. The top left and right photos show him observing the falls from different angles, with the water spilling over rocky terraces amidst a forest setting. The bottom left photo captures the hiker in front of a broad, flowing curtain of water, and the bottom right shows him from behind, looking out at a wide, multi-tiered waterfall. Each scene is framed by the rugged beauty of the forest, showcasing the tranquil and picturesque environment of these waterfalls.

Bushkill Falls, often dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” is a privately-owned nature park that features eight stunning waterfalls, accessible through a network of scenic trails and beautiful boardwalks that cater to all levels of hikers.

A collage of five images encapsulates the diverse experiences at Bushkill Falls, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left image displays a robust observation deck overlooking a cascading waterfall. Adjacent to it on the right, the park's entrance building welcomes visitors with a large "Welcome to Bushkill Falls" sign. Below, a wooden walkway stretches over rushing waters, leading visitors through the tranquil environment. The bottom left shows a set of wooden stairs winding through the forest, offering a rustic path for exploration. Finally, a visitor in red, centered in the bottom right, photographs one of the park’s majestic waterfalls, highlighting the picturesque beauty and recreational opportunities available in this section of the Pocono Mountains, all embraced by the park's well-crafted wooden structures.

Find even more great spots to explore in Pike County and all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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