15 Best Waterfalls in Pennsylvania (2026 Updated)
Of the 95 named waterfalls in Pennsylvania, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Cucumber Falls, Dingmans Falls, and Raymondskill Falls. The list spans the Laurel Highlands, Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap, and Western Pennsylvania Gorges.
How We Picked
We ranked the 51 publicly accessible Pennsylvania waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Cucumber Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 314 reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "30-ft. waterfall on state park land, offering an overlook at the top & a staircase to the base." It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. Ohiopyle Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 9.9 miles to the northwest.
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2. Dingmans Falls
Birchwood Lakes, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 619 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "A hiking trail with boardwalks leads to a platform for views of this scenic waterfall in the woods." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Vertical drop of 130 feet. It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. Silverthread Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Birchwood Lakes, about 2.2 miles to the northwest.
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3. Raymondskill Falls
Milford, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 310 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Tall waterfall comprised of 3 roaring cascades, with 2 observation platforms & a trail to the top." It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. Pinchot Falls is only 2.9 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Milford, about 3.1 miles to the northeast.
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4. Hells Hollow Falls
Ellport, PA · Lawrence County · Western Pennsylvania Gorges
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 130 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 8 named falls in the Western Pennsylvania Gorges region. The nearest town is Ellport, about 4.7 miles to the south.
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5. Ohiopyle Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 90 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Turbulent, 20-foot waterfall spanning the Youghiogheny River within Ohiopyle State Park." Name history: "An Indian word meaning ""white froth upon the water.""" It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. Cucumber Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 9.9 miles to the northwest.
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6. Dry Run Falls
Laporte, PA · Sullivan County · Ricketts Glen and the North Branch
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 32 reviews. 97% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Tranquil waterfall comprised of 2 cascading streams, featuring a small, steep path to the bottom." It is one of 39 named falls in the Ricketts Glen and the North Branch region. Angel Falls is only 2.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Laporte, about 9.1 miles to the east.
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7. Bucks Falls
Susquehanna, PA · Wayne County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 18 reviews. It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Susquehanna, about 7.5 miles to the northwest.
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8. Jonathan Run Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 29 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. Sugar Run Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 8.3 miles to the northwest.
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9. Dutchman Falls
Laporte, PA · Sullivan County · Ricketts Glen and the North Branch
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 27 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Amber Falls. It is one of 39 named falls in the Ricketts Glen and the North Branch region. The nearest town is Laporte, about 2.9 miles to the southwest.
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10. Silverthread Falls
Birchwood Lakes, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.7 stars across 50 reviews. 80% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "This picturesque, 80-ft-tall waterfall can be viewed from a lookout reached via an accessible trail." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Vertical drop of 80 feet. It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. Dingmans Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Birchwood Lakes, about 2.3 miles to the northwest.
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11. Adams Falls
Glen Lyon, PA · Luzerne County · Ricketts Glen and the North Branch
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 13 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "This small waterfall with two major drops cascades down rocks amid a lush forest in Glen State Park." It is one of 39 named falls in the Ricketts Glen and the North Branch region. Kitchen Creek Falls is only under 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Glen Lyon, about 13 miles to the southeast.
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12. Lewis Falls
Laporte, PA · Sullivan County · Ricketts Glen and the North Branch
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 8 reviews. It is one of 39 named falls in the Ricketts Glen and the North Branch region. Twin Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Laporte, about 9.0 miles to the northwest.
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13. Sugar Run Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 12 reviews. It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. Jonathan Run Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 8.2 miles to the northwest.
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14. The Grotto
Wyndmoor, PA · Philadelphia County
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 7 reviews. The nearest town is Wyndmoor, about 1.2 miles to the north.
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15. Hawk Falls
Towamensing Trails, PA · Carbon County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.6-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 375 reviews. 75% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "A 25-foot-high waterfall in a state park with a bridge accessed via a forest trail." It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Towamensing Trails, about 2.6 miles to the east.
When to Visit Pennsylvania's Waterfalls
Spring is the strongest season across Pennsylvania, from roughly March through May, when snowmelt and rain fill the plateau streams. The glens of Ricketts Glen and the Pocono ravines run at their best then, and the falls can be spectacular after heavy rain at any time of year. Summer flows often decline, though shaded glens remain cool, and July and August bring the heaviest crowds to the Poconos and Ohiopyle. October offers colorful hardwood forests and fewer visitors on weekdays. Winter can freeze the falls into ice formations, but the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen becomes hazardous and its use in icy conditions is restricted.
Before You Go
Most of Pennsylvania's falls are on public land, including state parks, state forests, state game lands and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, though Bushkill Falls is a private attraction with an admission charge. State parks such as Ricketts Glen and Ohiopyle draw large crowds on summer weekends, and parking fills early. The most common hazards are wet rock and steep, uneven trails: the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen involves many slippery stone steps and is strenuous in any conditions. On the Youghiogheny and Slippery Rock Creek, strong currents and undercut rocks make wading and swimming near falls dangerous. Some smaller falls sit on private property, so look for posted signs.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Pennsylvania Waterfalls
See all 95 waterfalls in the Pennsylvania waterfall guide, or browse by town: Dunbar, Birchwood Lakes, Milford, Ellport, Laporte, Susquehanna, Glen Lyon, Wyndmoor.
More Pennsylvania Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Pennsylvania?
Cucumber Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 314 Google reviews. It is near Dunbar in Fayette County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 51 publicly accessible Pennsylvania waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in Pennsylvania?
Our directory lists 95 named waterfalls in Pennsylvania. See them all, sorted by town, in the Pennsylvania waterfall guide.
Where is the largest concentration of waterfalls in Pennsylvania?
Ricketts Glen State Park, on the line between Luzerne and Sullivan counties, holds a long series of named falls along Kitchen Creek. The Poconos of Pike and Monroe counties have the next largest cluster.