The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Road Trip Is Here – And You’ll Want To Do It
Groundhog Day has come and passed, and though the snow blankets the ground now, soon enough spring will be here. In a few weeks, as we all come blinking and stretching from our winter hibernation, the great outdoors will beckon. Spring is the best time to view waterfalls, because melting ice and snow causes their beauty to reach peak impressiveness.
Here’s a great road trip to take in Eastern Pennsylvania that will showcase some of the most beautiful waterfalls our state has to offer. The loop will take about 6 hours to drive, though if you have less time to spare, you can always cut a few points out of the route. Our itinerary begins at Glen Onoko Falls and travels in a loop northwest to Ricketts Glen. Here is the Google Maps link for you to follow, or adjust at your leisure. Read on to find out more about each location.
We're starting our trip at one of the more difficult locations to hike: Glen Onoko Falls, located near Weatherly. The path is gorgeous, but steep, so be careful! You'll see multiple waterfalls as you ascend the mountain. You'll be hiking a 4.1 mile loop that's open from March until November; so if you do this road trip and include this stop, we recommend waiting for spring or summer.
Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the best parks to visit in the entire state, thanks to its beautiful trails and many gorgeous waterfalls. There are 22 waterfalls here, including the gorgeous Ganoga Falls (pictured above). Ganoga Falls is the tallest waterfall at Ricketts Glen, coming in at 94 feet tall.
Bowman Hollow Falls is a hidden waterfalls in the town of Forkston. You can see the waterfall from above, or you can hike to the bottom; if you decide to hike the descent, be careful, as the trek can be a bit precarious.
Osterhout Falls is visible from the road, if you're traveling east-bound! Your biggest challenge will be finding a spot to park, and to safely view the falls. It may be best to let your passengers simply admire this fall as you drive past.
Nay Aug Falls is a beautiful, quick stop on our trip. The trail from your car to the fall and back is only half a mile long, and do-able for hikers of all experience levels. Nay Aug Park has other amenities, such as playgrounds and covered bridges, so it might be a great place to take a break for a picnic lunch or to let your kids play.
Chances are that you've heard of Bushkill Falls, which are lovingly referred to as the Niagara of Pennsylvania. It is the only location on our itinerary that will require you to pay an entrance fee; but the eight magnificent falls that you'll see are totally worth it. The trail is super easy too, thanks to the wooden boardwalks and steps built for visitors. The park opens on April 4, so this is one to put on the calendar.
Slateford Creek is located only a few miles from Stroudsburg, and is home to numerous waterfalls. This particular location is one of the best kept secrets of the Delware Water Gap and totally worth a visit. You'll find three waterfalls along this hike; one of them is easier to access, while the other two require a more treacherous hike.
Tag someone below who you’d like to go on this trip with– and of course, this barely scratches the surface of the waterfalls that Pennsylvania has to offer. Any others that you would suggest?
