5 Must-See Waterfalls in Pennsylvania (2026)
If you only have time for five Pennsylvania waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap, Laurel Highlands, and Western Pennsylvania Gorges.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Pennsylvania waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Bushkill Falls
Saw Creek, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is a must-see
With 1,478 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Pennsylvania, and it holds 4.5 stars. In short: "Forested, privately owned park with 8 waterfalls & 2 miles' worth of picturesque hiking trails." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Winona Falls and Snow Hill Falls. 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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2. Dingmans Falls
Birchwood Lakes, PA · Pike County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is a must-see
With 619 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Pennsylvania, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "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. 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Silverthread Falls and Deer Leap Falls. 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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3. Hawk Falls
Towamensing Trails, PA · Carbon County · Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap
Why it is a must-see
With 375 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Pennsylvania, and it holds 4.6 stars. In short: "A 25-foot-high waterfall in a state park with a bridge accessed via a forest trail." 3 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Tobyhanna Falls and Luke's Falls. 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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4. Cucumber Falls
Dunbar, PA · Fayette County · Laurel Highlands
Why it is a must-see
With 314 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Pennsylvania, and it holds 4.9 stars. In short: "30-ft. waterfall on state park land, offering an overlook at the top & a staircase to the base." 4 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Ohiopyle Falls and Jonathan Run Falls. 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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5. Hells Hollow Falls
Ellport, PA · Lawrence County · Western Pennsylvania Gorges
Why it is a must-see
With 130 Google reviews it is the 6th most visited waterfall in Pennsylvania, and it holds 4.8 stars. 4 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Spillway Falls and Grant City Falls. 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.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 345 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Dingmans Falls (start, near Birchwood Lakes)
- Bushkill Falls, about 10 mi southwest
- Hawk Falls, about 33 mi west
- Cucumber Falls, about 218 mi west
- Hells Hollow Falls, about 83 mi northwest
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: Saw Creek, Birchwood Lakes, Towamensing Trails, Dunbar, Ellport.
More Pennsylvania Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Pennsylvania?
Bushkill Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.5-star rating from 1,478 Google reviews. It is near Saw Creek in Pike County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Pennsylvania waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 345 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.