The 10 Best Waterfalls on State Game Lands 13

Ferns adorn the rocks near Big Falls on State Game Lands 13, Sullivan County, PA.

State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan and Columbia counties is often referred to as the “Waterfall Wonderland” of Pennsylvania, and with good reason.

It is home to a vast array of magnificent streams and waterfalls, some of them quite well-known to hikers and photographers, others tucked away in rarely-visited nooks and crannies of the forest.

Fall foliage on full display along Pigeon Run in Sullivan County.
Fall foliage on full display along Pigeon Run in Sullivan County.

And while I’ve published many individual articles and photos from various waterfalls on SGL 13, I’ve never compiled them all in one place.

Until now.

What follows is my attempt to give you a comprehensive overlook at 10 of the largest and most photogenic waterfalls located on the 49,529 acres that makes up State Game Land 13.

A downstream view of Lewis Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
A downstream view of Lewis Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

While it is not a complete inventory of EVERY waterfall in the area, it is a fantastic introduction to one of the finest and most fertile waterfall regions in Pennsylvania.

And an article you’ll want to bookmark as a resource for planning your own excursions into the wilds of State Game Lands 13.

An important note: as this is State Game Lands, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you wear an article or articles of blaze orange clothing, regardless of the time of year you visit.

Be safe and be seen.

Hunters do, and you should too.


Blackberry Run Falls

Fluffy white snow surrounding Blackberry Run Falls
Fluffy white snow surrounding Blackberry Run Falls.

Blackberry Run Falls is a gorgeous 15-foot drop along Blackberry Run, just outside of Jamison City.

A side view of Blackberry Run Falls
A side view of Blackberry Run Falls.

I published a thorough write-up on visiting Blackberry Run Falls HERE which gives you step-by-step directions and maps showing where to park and how to find this outstanding waterfall on State Game Lands 13.


Big Falls

A wall of ice surrounding Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
A wall of ice surrounding Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

If I had to pick a personal favorite waterfall on State Game Lands 13, Big Falls would be it.

Located along Heberly Run, it is one of the more challenging waterfalls to get to on SGL 13.

But the payoff is tenfold.

A photographer takes in the scene at Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
A photographer takes in the scene at Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

I published a comprehensive write-up on visiting Big Falls, complete with maps and directions, which you can read HERE.


Big Run Falls

An October morning at Big Run Falls.
An October morning at Big Run Falls.

Not to be confused with Big Falls, Big Run Falls is probably the easiest waterfall to get to on State Game Lands 13.

It is literally roadside along Sullivan Falls Road, and not too far from Ricketts Glen State Park.

The view of Big Run Falls from Sullivan Falls Road.
The view of Big Run Falls from Sullivan Falls Road.

You can find my extensive write-up with maps and turn-by-turn directions to Big Run Falls HERE.


Foundation Falls

Foundation Falls along Quinn Run on State Game Lands 13.
Foundation Falls along Quinn Run on State Game Lands 13.

Located along Quinn Run near an old foundation, Foundation Falls is an intricate two-tiered waterfall that is missed by many as they hike the remnants of an abandoned forest road nearby.

Foundation Falls on a winter day in Sullivan County.
Foundation Falls on a winter day in Sullivan County.

You can find my map and directions to Foundation Falls HERE.


Lewis Falls

An autumn view of Lewis Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
An autumn view of Lewis Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

For my money one of THE MOST spectacular fall foliage spots in the Commonwealth, Lewis Falls is also one of the tallest waterfalls on State Game Lands 13.

The view from below Lewis Falls on a summer afternoon.
The view from below Lewis Falls on a summer afternoon.

Whether you want to view it from stream level on Heberly Run, or from the gorge walls high above, you can find my maps and directions to Lewis Falls HERE.


Pigeon Run Falls

Pigeon Run Falls in Sullivan County surrounded by fall foliage.
Pigeon Run Falls in Sullivan County surrounded by fall foliage.

Pigeon Run Falls and the numerous unnamed waterfalls upstream from it are a lightly-frequented destination on State Game Lands 13.

One of the many unnamed waterfalls along Pigeon Run in Sullivan County.
One of the many unnamed waterfalls along Pigeon Run in Sullivan County.

I published a thorough write-up on how to find the various waterfalls along Pigeon Run HERE.


Quinn Run Falls

Quinn Run Falls on a spring day.
Quinn Run Falls on a spring day.

Quinn Run Falls is a series of 4-5 foot tall shelves that collectively add up to a grand scene.

Photographer Steve Rubano at Quinn Run Falls on State Game Lands 13.
Photographer Steve Rubano at Quinn Run Falls on State Game Lands 13.

You can find my detailed map and directions to Quinn Run Falls HERE.


Shanty Run Falls

Shanty Run Falls on a summer afternoon.
Shanty Run Falls on a summer afternoon.

Shanty Run Falls is like a mini version of the aforementioned Lewis Falls.

Shanty Run Falls on a cold winter day.
Shanty Run Falls on a cold winter day.

Never heard of ths one?

Don’t feel bad – not many folk have.

You can find my write-up with maps and directions to Shanty Run Falls HERE.


Sullivan Falls

The famous rope swing at Sullivan Falls.
The famous rope swing at Sullivan Falls.

Arguably the most famous, best-know waterfall on State Game Lands 13 – Sullivan Falls is grandiose sight indeed.

A stream-level view of Sullivan Falls in the winter.
A stream-level view of Sullivan Falls in the winter.

While this one is not truly roadside, it’s a very short hike from the parking area along Sullivan Falls Road.

You can find my map and directions to Sullivan Falls HERE.


Twin Falls

An autumn view of Upper Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
An autumn view of Upper Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

As the name implies, Twin Falls is a series of two waterfalls located along Heberly Run.

Ice formations around Lower Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
Ice formations around Lower Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA

This is one of the easier waterfalls to get to along Heberly Run, and you can read my write-up on how to find Twin Falls HERE.


Final Thoughts

As I mentioned at the outset, this IS NOT a complete list of every waterfall on State Game Lands 13.

An unnamed waterfall just upstream from Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.
An unnamed waterfall just upstream from Twin Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

Numerous smaller, seasonal, or just downright difficult to get to waterfalls exist all over SGL 13.

An unnamed waterfall along the Pigeon Run Falls Trail in Sullivan County.
An unnamed waterfall along the Pigeon Run Falls Trail in Sullivan County.

But this is a exceptional primer to get you started exploring the waterfalls in this extraordinary locale.

Big Run Falls is one of the most picturesque roadside waterfalls in Sullivan County.
Big Run Falls is one of the most picturesque roadside waterfalls in Sullivan County.

Few places in Pennsylvania offer the intrepid hiker / photographer the chance to see this many waterfalls in such a truly wild setting.

And now you have the tools at hand to plan your own excursions to see the 10 best waterfalls on State Game Lands 13!


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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.