PA Waterfalls

Exploring Tanners Falls in Wayne County

Rusty Glessner

A stunning visual narrative is told through a collage of five images showcasing Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The images depict the dynamic flow of the falls, the rugged beauty of the layered rock formations, and the rustic charm of the bridge that arches over the river. Each picture captures a different angle, highlighting the waterfall's power and the tranquility of the surrounding forested area, bare of leaves. The ruins of an old tannery add a touch of historical mystique to the natural splendor of the site, inviting viewers to contemplate the past amidst the beauty of the falls.

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

The tranquil Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, flows smoothly over rocky ledges, nestled in the forested State Game Lands 159. Above the waterfall, a rustic bridge crosses over the stream, framing the natural scene with a touch of historical human engineering. The falls are part of the remains of an old tannery site, which contributes to the area's rich past, discernible by the masonry and natural overgrowth that line the banks. The trees, mostly bare, suggest either an early spring or late autumn season, adding to the quiet and serene mood of the landscape.

Tanners Falls is a 20 foot-tall, multi tiered roadside waterfall, located on State Game Lands 159.

The flowing majesty of Tanners Falls in State Game Lands 159, Pennsylvania, is captured in this view where the water rushes over natural rock formations. The falls are framed by a rustic iron bridge that crosses the river, connecting the two sides of the forested area. The overcast sky and the early signs of spring in the budding trees around the falls create a tranquil, almost ethereal scene. The rock surfaces near the water are marked with colorful graffiti, indicating interaction with visitors, against the backdrop of the historic tannery ruins.

The waterfall is surrounded by the ruins of a tannery complex that operated there until 1931.

An antique sepia-toned photograph captures the historic tannery at Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, once a site of industry nestled in the natural landscape. The image shows a collection of wooden buildings, possibly part of the tannery operations, alongside the cascading 20-foot falls. Debris and lumber are scattered in the foreground, indicative of the activity that once thrived here. In the background, forested hills rise, giving context to the location within State Game Lands 159, where the remnants of this tannery would stand until 1931, now a scene of quiet ruins. — Tanners Falls is visible in the center of this historical photo, with the structures comprising the tannery complex surrounding it (public domain image).

Today, visitors can explore the weathered and moss-covered ruins of the tannery that still stand guard around the waterfall, adding a touch of historical mystery to the scenic beauty.

Overgrown with bright green moss, the stone ruins of an old tannery rest quietly in a wooded area near Tanners Falls on State Game Lands 159, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The structures, fragmented and embedded into the landscape, form a series of low walls that trace the outline of the tannery's foundation. Leaf-littered ground and the skeletal trees of early spring frame the historic site, which stands as a silent testament to the industrial activity that once thrived here until 1931.

Directions to Tanners Falls

Tanners Falls is located roughly 5 miles north of Honesdale, along Tanners Falls Road.

There’s a large parking lot at the top of the falls on the east side of Dyberry Creek, located at GPS coordinates 41.66289, -75.29755.

A vibrant orange pickup truck is parked on a muddy gravel lot near Tanners Falls on State Game Lands 159 in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The truck faces a bridge marked with a "BRIDGE CLOSED" barrier. Leafless trees and overcast skies indicate a barren, possibly cold day. In the background, hints of a forested area suggest the proximity to natural attractions, such as the waterfall and historical tannery ruins dating back to 1931.

A short footpath from the back edge of the parking lot leads down to the base of the falls.

A rustic hiking trail leading towards Tanners Falls on State Game Lands 159 in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The path is narrow and edged with emerging spring greenery, exposed roots, and moss-covered rocks, evoking a sense of adventure. The trail meanders uphill, flanked by leafless trees and brush, hinting at the area's natural history and the nearby waterfall and tannery ruins from the early 20th century.

Exploring Tanners Falls and the Tannery Ruins

This picturesque waterfall, roughly 20 feet tall, stretches across the entirety of Dyberry Creek, creating a captivating natural spectacle.

The serene Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania flows gracefully over stratified rock ledges, surrounded by the awakening spring landscape of State Game Lands 159. A rustic metal bridge, showcasing utilitarian architecture, spans across the stream in the background, creating a picturesque scene that juxtaposes the man-made structure with the waterfall's natural beauty. The waterfall, part of the historic site where a tannery once operated until 1931, is enveloped by trees that are just beginning to bud, hinting at the rebirth of the forest in early spring.

Although the 1885 bridge that towers over the falls is no longer open to cars or pedestrians, it contributes to the rustic charm of the landscape, providing a perfect backdrop for photography.

Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, presents a dramatic display as water powerfully cascades over a series of rocky tiers. The lush green moss accentuates the natural beauty of the falls, contrasting with the smooth, fluid motion of the water. A classic metal bridge with rustic appeal stretches across the river, providing a man-made element to the otherwise wild and picturesque environment. The scene is enveloped by the soft hues of an overcast sky and the muted colors of early spring foliage, capturing the serene atmosphere of State Game Lands 159.

And while the waterfall is easily accessible by road, the area still retains a peaceful ambiance.

An old, weathered bridge with a wooden deck and rusted iron railings spans a tranquil river above Tanners Falls in State Game Lands 159, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The bridge, showing signs of age and character, leads into a landscape of bare winter trees and brush, under a grey overcast sky. The scene is peaceful, with the gentle flow of the river and the quiet of the surrounding natural environment, suggesting a connection to the historical essence of the area where a tannery once operated.

The tranquility of the falls, combined with the echoes of its industrial past, makes Tanners Falls a unique and memorable destination in northeastern Pennsylvania.

In the midst of a quiet woodland in State Game Lands 159, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, mossy stone ruins form a striking part of the landscape near Tanners Falls. These remnants, blanketed in a lush layer of moss, speak of the tannery that once stood here, operational until 1931. Fallen trees and branches add to the sense of a landscape reclaimed by nature, with fresh greenery sprouting around the stones, and the presence of a 20-foot-tall waterfall nearby adds to the location's rugged charm.

Whether you’re drawn by the allure of history, the beauty of the natural world, or simply the need for a quiet retreat, Tanners Falls is a place where every visitor can find something to admire.

Tanners Falls cascades with vigorous energy over layered rocks in State Game Lands 159, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The 20-foot tall waterfall creates a misty atmosphere as the water plunges into the pool below. In the background, a rustic metal bridge spans across the scene, contrasting with the natural beauty of the falls. Surrounding the area are trees and rocky outcrops, some of which bear the marks of graffiti, revealing the intersection of nature and human presence in this historic location once home to a tannery.

It’s this blend of natural and man-made history makes this Tanners Falls a must-see destination in Wayne County!

The serene Tanners Falls flows steadily over layered, rock ledges surrounded by the subtle greens of early foliage in Wayne County, Pennsylvania's State Game Lands 159. Above the waterfall, a metal bridge, exhibiting signs of rust and age, crosses the stream and blends into the backdrop of the wooded landscape. The cascade of the falls and the surrounding stone outcrops, some bearing the patina of age, are a remnant of the area's history, where an old tannery once stood until 1931. The trees, in early bud, and the overcast sky contribute to the tranquil and historic atmosphere of this natural setting.

Nearby Attractions

Irving Cliff is a fabulous roadside scenic overlook that sits high above Honesdale, the Wayne County seat.

A collage of 5 photos showing the views from Irving Cliff in Wayne County PA. — Scenes from Irving Cliff Overlook in Honesdale.

If waterfalls are your thing, be sure to check out my interactive map below, with directions to hundreds of PA’s finest falls!

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

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