Pennsylvania

10 Tallest Waterfalls In Pennsylvania To Check Out

Written by:
Tom Riley
Date Published:
November 12, 2023

"Dingmans Falls" by jasonb42882 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Looking for the 10 tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania? We have you covered!

Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of beautiful waterfalls that can be found all throughout the state. In this blog post, we are going to be listing waterfalls by height to showcase the 10 tallest waterfalls in PA. These waterfalls range in height from 178 feet to 75 feet. Each waterfall is extremely beautiful and well worth seeking out. If you do end up visiting one of these waterfalls, be sure to post a photo on the GoXplr Explore Page!

Without further ado, here are the 10 tallest waterfalls in the state of Pennsylvania:

#1 Raymondskill Falls – 178 feet

"Raymondskill Falls HDR" by jasonb42882 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Location Directions: HERE
Parking Directions: HERE

If you are searching for the tallest waterfall in the state of Pennsylvania, Raymondskill Falls is it! Raymondskill Falls drops a whooping 178 feet over three tiers. At 178 feet tall, the waterfall is just a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls.

Ramondskill Falls is located within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which is managed by the National Park Service. It should be noted that this park does not charge an entrance fee, but it does have expanded amenity fees. The waterfall is fueled by the Ramondskill Creek which flows most powerfully during the spring. That said, the waterfall is a wonderful place to visit year-round.

Accessing the waterfall is relatively easy, thanks to the Raymondskill Falls Loop Trail. The trailhead and parking for the waterfall are located just off Raymondskill Road which is only a few hundred feet from U.S. Route 209. The trail itself is a 0.4-mile loop that consists of about 100 feet of elevation gain. Overall, the trail is rated as “easy.” At the waterfall, visitors can enjoy two viewing platforms from the base and top of the waterfall.

#2 Dingmans Falls – 130 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Dingmans Falls has a height of 130 feet which makes it a runner-up on the list of the tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania. Dingmans Falls is located in Dingmans Ferry in Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The waterfall and surrounding land are part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which is operated by the National Park Service.

The 130-foot waterfall can be accessed via the 0.4-mile (one-way) Dingmans Creek Trail which begins at the Dingmans Falls Visitor Center. The first 0.3 miles of the trail are strolled and wheelchair accessible thanks to a well-built boardwalk. Be sure to look out for Silverthread Falls which is located at the very beginning of the trail! Follow the trail for 0.1 miles more to access Dingmans Falls. This last 0.1-mile section is mostly stairs.

The trail leads right to the base of the falls which are always impressive to see straight on. There is a large pool at the base of the falls which looks extremely tempting on hot summer days, but sadly no swimming is allowed. To see the falls from another angle, walk up the staircase opposite the falls and follow the Upper Dingmans Creek Trail. This leads to an observation deck located above the waterfall.

#3 Bushkill Falls (Main Falls) – 100 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Bushkill Falls is often considered one of the prettiest waterfalls in the state of Pennsylvania. The waterfall is located deep in the woods of the Poconos and one thing that makes this waterfall so unique is the fact that it is open to the public but privately owned. Bushkill Falls and the surrounding 300+ acres of land have been privately owned since 1904 which is far earlier than National Park Service areas, such as the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which was established in 1965. There is a fee to visit Bushkill Falls and the many other waterfalls in the park. Admission prices range from $9 to $18 depending on age and day of the week.

After tickets have been purchased, visitors are welcome to hike the trails and check out the waterfalls. Bushkill Falls is the main attraction as it drops over 100 feet down a steep rock face. The waterfall is conveniently the first stop on the trail and it quickly comes into frame as it can be seen from above. The best views of the waterfall can be achieved by walking along the boardwalk over Bushkill Creek within the gorge. The boardwalk and stairs within the gorge are extremely impressive and well-built. Nearly every visitor mentions that the experience is well worth the price of admission! Learn more at https://www.visitbushkillfalls.com/

#4 – Ganoga Falls – 94 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Ganoga Falls is a 94-foot waterfall and it is often considered the crown jewel of Ricketts Glen State Park. Ricketts Glen is no stranger to beautiful waterfalls considering there are 24 named waterfalls throughout the 13,000+ acre park. That said, Ganoga Falls is by far the tallest.

Ganoga Falls consists of two tiers that feature rather different formations. The upper tier starts out with a narrow slide which then fans out over a gently sloping rock face. The lower tier is much wider and is a nearly 90-degree vertical drop. The waterfall is extremely beautiful and it typically flows the most during the springtime when the snow melts. That said, it is a great waterfall to visit year-round.

The waterfall is located along Kitchen Greek and it can be accessed via the Ganoga View Trail. The trail to Canoga Falls is 1.9 miles out-and-back. It features 426 feet of elevation gain and is rated as “moderate.” Along the trail, hikers will pass several other named waterfalls, including Oneida Falls, Cayuga Falls, Delaware Falls, and Mohican Falls. It is definitely a popular trail, so if you are seeking to avoid the crowds try visiting on weekdays and during the morning. During the winter months, it is very low-key.

#5 Silverthread Falls – 80 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Silverthread Falls, located only a few hundred feet from Dingmans Falls, is the fifth tallest waterfall in the state. Silverthread Falls is a very thin waterfall that drops about 80 feet. The waterfall is powered by a small tributary that flows into Dingmans Creek. The waterfall is typically flowing the strongest during the spring season.

Accessing Silverthread Falls is super easy via Dingmans Creek Trail. The waterfall is only about 0.1 miles from the Dingmans Falls Visitors Center where the trail begins. The whole trail to the waterfall is made of a boardwalk which makes Silverthread Falls accessible via stroller or wheelchair.

#6 Chimney Hollow Falls – 75 feet

Location Directions: HERE
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Next up on our list of the ten tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania is Chimney Hollow Falls which has a total drop of about 75 feet. While there are many well-known waterfalls in north-central PA, Chimney Hollow Falls is not often talked about. This is likely because it can be hard to locate if you are not “in the know.”

Chimney Hollow Falls is located in the Tioga State Forest along Owassee Slide Run, which is a tiny tributary of Pine Creek. Visitors of the waterfall can park on the side of Owasse Road in Ansonia, Pennsylvania where the Owassee Slide Run meets the road (HERE). They can then take the Chimney Hollow Falls Trail up to the waterfall. The trail is only about 0.3 miles out-and-back and it features 154 feet of elevation gain. It should be noted that this trail is unmarked and also extremely steep and wet in places. It is rated as “moderate” despite being so short. Be safe and go slow. At the end of the short hike up, visitors will be rewarded with stunning views of the waterfall. Chimney Hollow Falls is one of the most remote and beautiful waterfalls in the state.

#7 (Tie) Bradford Falls – 70 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Next on the list of the 10 tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania is Bradford Falls. Bradford Falls is an approximately 70-foot tall waterfall which is located along Falls Creek in State Game Lands 36. Bradford Falls is the tallest waterfall in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and a must-visit for any waterfall lover.

To reach Bradford Falls, visitors can park in the small roadside parking area located off Schrader Creek Road. The hike itself is 1.6 miles out-and-back via the Bradford Falls Trail. Much of the trail follows Falls Brook. Just a few feet further up the creek, visitors can enjoy Laquin Falls (15 feet tall) and Barclay Falls (30 feet tall).

#7 (Tie) Angel Falls – 70 feet

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Location Directions: HERE
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Angel Falls is a stunning 70-foot waterfall that is tied for the 7th tallest waterfall with Bradford Falls. At 70 feet tall, Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Loyalsock State Forest in the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #20.

The waterfall can be reached via the Angel Falls Trail which consists of hiking along the Loyalsock Trail and a blue blaze-marked trail. Although the Loyalsock Trail is 56.4 miles point-to-point, visitors who just want to see the waterfall can opt for a 3-mile out-and-back hike. The hike begins at the dedicated parking located just off Brunnerdale Road in Shrewsbury Township, PA. From there, explorers can walk along the Loyalstock Trail for about 1.4 miles and follow the blue-blazed trail to the waterfall for about 0.1 miles.

Angel Falls is definitely off the beaten path, but it is well worth checking out! The waterfall flows the strongest during the springtime but can be a fun place to visit year-round. Don’t miss out on this amazing Pennsylvania gem!

#9 Ozone Falls – 60 feet

"File:Ricketts Glen State Park Ozone Falls 8.jpg" by Doug Kerr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Location Directions: HERE
Parking Directions: HERE

Clocking in as the sixth tallest waterfall in the Keystone State is Ozone Falls. Ozone Falls boasts a drop of 60 feet and it can be found in Ricketts Glen State Park. It is the second tallest waterfall in the park, behind Ganoga Falls (94 feet) which is located only a few hundred feet away. Both Ozone and Ganoga are located along the iconic Ricketts Glen Falls Trail which features 21 scenic waterfalls in total. The trail is a 3.2-mile loop that consists of 1,350 feet of elevation gain. Visitors can also opt for an out-and-back hike to see Ozone Falls.

#10 Fulmer Falls – 55 feet

"Fulmer Falls Waterfall - Childs Recreation Area, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania" by Trodel is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Location Directions: HERE
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Rounding out our list of the top 10 tallest waterfalls in PA is Fulmer Falls which drops 55 feet. Fulmer Falls is located in the George W. Childs Recreation Site (aka Childs Park) in Dingmans Ferry, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The waterfall is located along Dingmans Creek, the same creek which flows down Dingmans Falls. Although Fulmer Falls is not quite as big as Dingmans Falls, it is still extremely beautiful!

Fulmer Falls features a nearly 60-foot drop that falls into a large enclosed bowl. The waterfall features cascades and a horsetail. It is a wonderful place to visit, especially during the springtime when the ice is melting and the water flow is strongest. Be sure to also visit Factory Falls downstream and Deer Leap Falls upstream. These are two other beautiful waterfalls that are just steps from Fulmer Falls.

Hope you enjoyed this post about the 10 tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania!

Written By

Tom Riley

Tom was born and raised in New England and loves exploring all around the Northeast. From the mountains of New Hampshire to the waterfalls of Vermont, rugged coast of Maine, and white sand beaches of Cape Cod - Tom loves seeing what each state around him has to offer. Tom's favorite quote is by Seneca and it reads, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it." He believes everyday should be spent living life to the fullest!

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