Paradise Falls is a waterfall in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, about 0.9 miles northwest of Parkside. 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
- Monroe County, PA
- Nearest town
- Parkside (0.9 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 2.4 from 27 reviews
- Crowds
- Quieter
- Coordinates
- 41.10648, -75.26713
- USGS topo
- Mount Pocono quad
Weather at Paradise Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Loading the forecast...
Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Paradise Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Daylight
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- Golden hour
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Times in New York time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Getting there
Paradise Falls sits about 0.9 miles northwest of Parkside in Monroe County. Google lists the address as Paradise Township, PA 18326.
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Paradise 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 Paradise 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 41.10648, -75.26713 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.
- 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. With 27 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
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
Paradise Falls holds a 2.4-star average across 27 Google reviews, and 30% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 4 waterfall by review count in Monroe County. Visitors have shared 4 photos.
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Paradise Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979, and it appears on the USGS Mount Pocono 7.5-minute topographic map.
Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Lake Crawford (reservoir, 0.4 mi), Forest Hills Run (stream, 0.4 mi), Swiftwater Creek (stream, 0.4 mi), and Swiftwater Lake (reservoir, 0.8 mi).
Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap. Tributaries of the Delaware River drop off the Pocono Plateau in a series of short, steep ravines. Within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Dingmans Falls, described as 130 feet high, and nearby Silverthread Falls are reached by a boardwalk trail, and Raymondskill Falls descends in three tiers near Milford. Bushkill Falls, the state's most reviewed waterfall, is a privately owned park with eight falls and a network of trails and bridges. Around East Stroudsburg and Mountainhome, Monroe County adds more, while Hawk Falls in Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County is reached on a short forest trail.
Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip
More around here: waterfalls near Parkside · Monroe County waterfalls · all Pennsylvania waterfalls
Frequently asked questions
Where is Paradise Falls?
Paradise Falls is in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, about 0.9 miles northwest of Parkside. Its coordinates are 41.10648, -75.26713.
Is Paradise Falls crowded?
With 27 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.
What should I bring to Paradise Falls?
At minimum: offline map and coordinates, shoes with real grip, water and a snack, and a light rain layer. See the full checklist above, which is tailored to what visitors report about this waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Paradise Falls?
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.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to visit Paradise Falls?
Fees and permits depend on who manages the land. Check with the managing agency before you go. Our Pennsylvania waterfalls page covers access in the state.
Summary
Paradise Falls about 0.9 miles northwest of Parkside is rated 2.4 out of 5 by 27 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 Paradise Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.