The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Road Trip Will Take You To 7 Scenic Spots In The State
It’s never a bad time for hiking, whether we’re blinking and stretching from our winter hibernation or melting our way through the summer months. It’s just a proven fact: the great outdoors will beckon. If you’re looking to indulge in some of the best waterfalls in Pennsylvania, keep in mind that spring is the best time to view waterfalls. The 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 along this waterfall road trip in Pennsylvania.
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.
Tag someone below who would love this adventure along a waterfall road trip in Pennsylvania– and of course, this barely scratches the surface of the best waterfalls in Pennsylvania. Any others that you would suggest?
And if you’d like to chase waterfalls this winter, check out these incredible frozen waterfalls in Pennsylvania.
Best Waterfalls In Pennsylvania
What are the best waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania is truly a natural wonder to behold. The state is rife with lush forests and beautiful water features, from craggy waterfalls to rushing rivers and gurgling creekbeds. If you’re looking for some of the best waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania, however, there are quite a few to choose from. Meadow Run Trail can be found in Ohiopyle State Park, and its accessible from a three-mile loop trail that takes you both to Cucumber Falls and Ohiopyle Falls. There are multiple viewing areas, and you can even take a chilly slide down Meadow Run Natural Waterslides gushing natural run.
What is the largest waterfall in Pennsylvania?
The highest waterfall in Pennsylvania just so happens to be the three-tiered Raymondskill Falls. It can be accessed and viewed from the Raymondskill Creek Trail, and if each of those three tiers were added together, then Raymondskill Falls would be a spare few feet shorter than the famed Niagara Falls. Swimming is not permitted in the area for safety reasons, so make sure you aren’t taking a dip within 50 feet of the falls themselves.
Are there any other scenic hikes in Pennsylvania?
It’s hard to choose a scant few of the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania! There are so many of them, and each has a peak season. Some are best traversed in the heat of the summertime, others are most beautiful beneath a layer of snow. There are hundreds of state parks, rural hilltops and lush forests that lend themselves to a walk in the woods. Wolf Rocks Loop Trail is a 9.9 mile hike that’s found in the Forbes State Forest, and it’s a great spot with stunning views and a series of stream valleys at its base. Keep in mind, there are quite a few rocky points along the trail, and it’s recommended for more experienced hikers. Glen Onoko Falls is known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the state, but also one of the most beautiful. It’s a challenging trek that provides one of the most stunning views, making it worth an advanced hiker’s while.
