Salt Springs State Park in Susquehanna County is home to 3 superb waterfalls on the aptly-named Fall Brook.
Created by glaciers more than 18,000 years ago, Fall Brook Gorge is is an immensely enjoyable hiking destination, featuring the aforementioned waterfalls, old growth hemlocks, and a good luck rock!
How to Find Salt Springs State Park
From the intersection of Route 29 and Silver Creek Road, turn left on Silver Creek Road and proceed 1 mile to the park entrance on Salt Springs Road.
Although the map (and possibly your navigation as well) makes it look like you can simply approach from the south on Salt Springs Road, the Friends of Salt Springs State Park (who manage the park) advise against it, as that road becomes impassable the closer it gets to the park.
Fall Brook Natural Area
While the entire park is comprised of 842 acres, the waterfalls are contained within the 34 acre Fall Brook Natural Area.
All three waterfalls are located within a quarter mile of the parking area.
To get the best views of the falls, I recommend hiking upstream along the Fall Brook Trail, which encompases some of the stream bed itself.
You can then return to the parking area via the Hemlock Trail for a pleasant 0.5 mile loop hike.
Hiking to the Falls
Almost immediately after starting up the Fall Brook Trail, you’ll encounter the first (or lower) waterfall on Fall Brook.
The small cascades in the foreground struck me as being every bit as photogenic as the lower falls themselves.
I found it easiest to navigate around the left side of this waterfall to get upstream to the next.
The second (or middle) falls on Fall Brook looks very similar to the first.
This 15-footer photographs extremely well, and is also most easily circumvented on the left side to get upstream to the final waterfall on Fall Brook.
The third (or upper) falls on Fall Brook is the shortest of the 3, but by no means a letdown after seeing the first two.
This intricate series of glacially-formed shelves causes the waters of Fall Brook to sheet off in seemingly a hundred different directions.
This is also a remarkable spot to appreciate the surrounding hemlock forest.
From the third falls, bear left and follow the trail up the hill to intersect with the Hemlock Trail.
The Hemlock Trail at Salt Springs State Park
The Hemlock Trail is a boardwalk trail that pases through an old-growth hemlock forest.
In addition to making for a fairly easy return hike, the boardwalk is also exceedingly photogenic in its own right.
One of the highlights of the Hemlock Trail is Penny Rock, where people long ago hammered copper pennies into the folds of a large rock for good luck.
Upon closer examination, you can see how the copper pennies have turned green with age.
Follow the Hemlock Trail past Penny Rock, bear left and cross the bridge over Fall Brook, and you’ll have completed the loop and be back at the parking area.
Final Thoughts
The waterfalls at Salt Springs State Park are some of the northernmost waterfalls in Pennsylvania, just a few miles from the New York Border.
This glacially-created gorge, replete with old growth hemlocks, is an absolute pleasure to explore.
Put the Fall Brook Natural Area and the waterfalls at Salt Springs State Park on your PA Bucket List!
Nearby Attractions
Nay Aug Falls in Scranton is approximately 35 miles south of Salt Springs State Park, just off of Interstate 81.
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