10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Pennsylvania (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Pennsylvania's 95 named waterfalls, starting with Dingmans Falls. The list spans the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap, Laurel Highlands, and Western Pennsylvania Gorges.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 51 publicly accessible Pennsylvania waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Dingmans Falls
Birchwood Lakes, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 3,069 photos of it on Google, about 5.0 for every review. 87% of its 619 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "A hiking trail with boardwalks leads to a platform for views of this scenic waterfall in the woods." The setting includes Lake Kemadobi (lake, 0.9 mi). It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Birchwood Lakes, about 2.2 miles to the northwest.
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2. Bushkill Falls
Saw Creek, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 5,588 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 77% of its 1,478 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Forested, privately owned park with 8 waterfalls & 2 miles' worth of picturesque hiking trails." The setting includes First Pond (lake, 1.5 mi). It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Saw Creek, about 2.0 miles to the west.
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3. Cucumber Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,108 photos of it on Google, about 3.5 for every review. 89% of its 314 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "30-ft. waterfall on state park land, offering an overlook at the top & a staircase to the base." The setting includes Ohiopyle Gorge (valley, 0.4 mi) and Kentuck Knob (summit, 1.0 mi). It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 9.9 miles to the northwest.
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4. Raymondskill Falls
Milford, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,813 photos of it on Google, about 5.8 for every review. 85% of its 310 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Tall waterfall comprised of 3 roaring cascades, with 2 observation platforms & a trail to the top." The setting includes Pow Wow Hill (summit, 0.6 mi) and The Cliff (cliff, 1.4 mi). It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Milford, about 3.1 miles to the northeast.
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5. Hawk Falls
Towamensing Trails, PA · Carbon County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,410 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 75% of its 375 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "A 25-foot-high waterfall in a state park with a bridge accessed via a forest trail." The setting includes Summer Mountain (summit, 0.9 mi) and Millstone Mountain (summit, 1.6 mi). 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.
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6. Silverthread Falls
Birchwood Lakes, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 162 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 80% of its 50 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "This picturesque, 80-ft-tall waterfall can be viewed from a lookout reached via an accessible trail." The setting includes Lake Kemadobi (lake, 1.1 mi). It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Birchwood Lakes, about 2.3 miles to the northwest.
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7. Ohiopyle Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 379 photos of it on Google, about 4.2 for every review. 88% of its 90 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Turbulent, 20-foot waterfall spanning the Youghiogheny River within Ohiopyle State Park." The setting includes Ohiopyle Gorge (valley, 0.3 mi) and Tharp Knob (summit, 0.9 mi). Name history: "An Indian word meaning ""white froth upon the water.""" It is one of 10 named falls in the Laurel Highlands region. The nearest town is Dunbar, about 9.9 miles to the northwest.
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8. Hells Hollow Falls
Ellport, PA · Lawrence County · Western Pennsylvania Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 594 photos of it on Google, about 4.6 for every review. 82% of its 130 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). 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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9. Nay Aug Falls
Dunmore, PA · Lackawanna County · Ricketts Glen and the North Branch
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 353 photos of it on Google, about 6.2 for every review. 68% of its 57 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Reached via scenic trails, this gorge waterfall in Nay Aug Park features 2 observation decks." The setting includes Nay Aug Park Gorge (valley, under 0.1 mi). It is one of 39 named falls in the Ricketts Glen and the North Branch region. The nearest town is Dunmore, about 1.3 miles to the north.
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10. Wangum Falls
Hawley, PA · Wayne County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 120 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 77% of its 35 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Cascading waterfall with forested surrounds, viewable by a landmark truss bridge installed in 1944." It is one of 33 named falls in the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap region. The nearest town is Hawley, about 3.7 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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Pennsylvania Waterfalls
See all 95 waterfalls in the Pennsylvania waterfall guide, or browse by town: Birchwood Lakes, Saw Creek, Dunbar, Milford, Towamensing Trails, Ellport, Dunmore, Hawley.
More Pennsylvania Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Pennsylvania?
Dingmans Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 619 Google reviews. It is near Birchwood Lakes in Pike County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 51 publicly accessible Pennsylvania waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Is Bushkill Falls a state park?
No. Bushkill Falls in Pike County is a privately owned park with eight waterfalls and about 2 miles of trails, and it charges admission. Nearby Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls are on National Park Service land.