If you’re looking for directions to Round Island Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest, you’re in the right place!
Round Island Run Falls is located in a remote western corner of Clinton County, near (but not in) the Quehanna Wild Area.
Because of the three tiers that make up this waterfall, Round Island Run Falls is sometimes referred to as Three Falls.
Approximately 20 feet tall when factoring in all three tiers, Round Island Falls may be the most remote waterfall in all of Central Pennsylvania.
Directions to Round Island Run Falls
My preferred parking area for the hike to Round Island Run Falls is located along Round Island Ridge Road, at GPS coordinates 41.268613, -77.998115.
Here you’ll find a large parking area located on the northwest side of the road, in the power line cut pictured below.
The hike to Round Island Run Falls is a pretty straightforward affair; it’s a 1 mile hike each way (2 miles round-trip) with roughly 300 feet in elevation change from the parking area to the base of the falls.
The first half of the hike follows an obvious dirt trail/ATV path along the edge of the power line cut, while the second half of the hike follows a trail along the edge of Round Island Run.
Keep your eyes peeled for elk in the woods and along the power line cut. I spotted this guy in the woods one day while hiking out to the falls.
Arriving at Round Island Run Falls
After hiking 0.5 miles along the stream, you will come to the user trail pictured below that leads down to the base of the falls.
From where that user trail brings you out, this will be your first look at Round Island Run Falls.
There are numerous vantage points you can photograph Round Island Run Falls from.
Left, right, and downstream are all worth exploring.
One of my favorite vantage points at Round Island Run Fall is from behind the upper tier.
There is actually quite a bit of space behind the falls, but please use caution if you do attempt this.
And even in the autumn months, when the water flow is sometimes barely a trickle, this is still a phenomenal scene as fall foliage covers the creek bed.
Be on the lookout for frogs in the pool at the base of the falls; this guy (or gal) was keeping a close pair of eyes on me as I shot there one afternoon.
If you continue up the trail on the left side of the falls to the top, you’ll encounter this set of picturesque cascades.
Once you’ve had your fill of Round Island Run Falls, it’s a simple matter of backtracking 1 miles to your vehicle.
Nearby Attractions
Table Falls in the adjacent Quehanna Wild Area is a beautiful, almost-roadside waterfall.
Wykoff Run Falls, also located in the Quehanna Wild Area, is literally roadside along Wykoff Run Road.
Yost Run Falls is located in the Centre County portion of the Sproul State Forest.
8 Pennsylvania Waterfalls You Can Stand Behind is your guide to several more waterfalls where, like at Round Island Run Falls, you can stand behind the veil of the falls.
And if you’re looking for the best waterfalls all across PA, look no further than The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide, with directions to HUNDREDS of waterfalls from all corners of the Keystone State.
For something completely different, be sure to check out the abandoned nuclear jet engine bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area, a glimpse into the Cold War past of Pennsylvania.
Still not convinced you need to put Round Island Run Falls on your PA bucket list?
Then check out this video!
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