Cole Run Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Cole Run Falls is a waterfall in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, about 9.6 miles west of Milford. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Somerset County, PA

Nearest town

Milford (9.6 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.6 from 64 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Short hike likely

Coordinates

39.97174, -79.28392

USGS topo

Kingwood quad

Getting there

Cole Run Falls sits about 9.6 miles west of Milford in Somerset County. Google lists the address as Middlecreek Township, PA 15557. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Cole Run Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Cole Run Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Pennsylvania. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 39.97174, -79.28392 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 235 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. 64 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Cole Run Falls holds a 4.6-star average across 64 Google reviews, and 80% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Somerset County. Visitors have shared 235 photos.

Small, secluded waterfall in a natural setting with wooded hiking trails nearby.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Cole Run Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on July 1, 1989, and it appears on the USGS Kingwood 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Cole Run (stream, 0.5 mi), Garys Run (stream, 0.7 mi), Blue Hole Spring (spring, 0.8 mi), and Blue Hole (lake, 0.8 mi).

Laurel Highlands. Southwestern Pennsylvania's falls are set on the high ridges of Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge and in the gorges that cut through them. At Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle Falls spans the Youghiogheny River, a broad drop known for marking the start of the river's whitewater runs, and Cucumber Falls nearby can be viewed from above or reached by stairs to its base. Cole Run Falls in Somerset County and Adams Falls in Linn Run State Park in Westmoreland County are smaller, shaded falls in forest settings. Cambria County adds small falls on steep tributary streams near Johnstown.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Cole Run Falls about 9.6 miles west of Milford is rated 4.6 out of 5 by 64 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Cole Run Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.