This Secret Pennsylvania Waterfall Is a Hidden Paradise

Pennsylvania has always been a mixed bag when it comes to the weather, especially during the winter. Those of us who have lived here for at least a few winters can probably agree we’ve seen it all, from blustery cold days with wind chills below zero to balmy afternoons when we eye the shorts and flip-flops. Even if we aren’t exactly fans of the cold and ice, we can also likely agree the frozen landscapes are breathtaking, none more so than the natural beauty found on this winter hike in Pennsylvania.

Even if you’re not a fan of the cold that comes along with the beauty of the frozen landscape, you won’t need to stay bundled up for too long when you set off on Hells Hollow Trail. The pretty path meanders a mile through McConnells Mill State Park in Portersville, so you’ll only need around a half-hour for your winter adventure. 

Plug “Hells Hollow Trailhead" into your GPS, and it will bring you to a parking lot. While it can get crowded in the summer, you probably won’t have to worry about jockeying for a parking space in the winter. Weekends are usually the busiest, regardless of the season, so you might want to head over early on Saturday or Sunday or visit on a weekday. The trailhead has a few amenities, including picnic tables and non-flush bathrooms.

While the out-and-back trail is short and sweet, dress for the weather, and bring hiking poles if it’s icy. Despite the easy rating, there might be a few obstacles, usually slippery and muddy terrain in the winter and an abundance of bugs in the summer.

Kid-friendly and welcoming of leashed dogs, Hells Hollows Trail will take you over fairy-tale footbridges and along a flowing creek. Because the trail is predominately flat, you won’t have to worry about steep inclines or exerting yourself too much. If you have the time, take it slow to admire the wintry scenery – icicles dangling from bare trees, deer prints in the otherwise pristine snow just off the trail, and chiseled rock formations blanketed in ice and snow.

All that natural beauty leads you to Hells Hollow Falls, a magnificent cascade that tumbles into a small pool of water. While there’s some debate on precisely how tall it is, the waterfall drops around 15 feet and is approximately 20 feet wide. Depending on the temperature, you might be treated to a frozen waterfall or a gushing cascade flanked by snow-covered rocks.

If you’ve got more time after your hike along Hells Hollow Falls Trail, explore more of McConnells Mill State Park on another scenic hike. Find a comprehensive list of hiking trails at the popular state park and in Pennsylvania on AllTrails+.

Do you have a favorite winter hike in Pennsylvania that shows off the season’s frozen beauty? Tell us about it by filling out a nomination form. Or discover some of Only In Your State's favorite hikes by using our Travel Planner!