Ricketts Glen State Park | Pennsylvania

22 Waterfalls on One Incredible Loop

Of all the Best State Parks I’ve visited so far, Ricketts Glen State Park easily ranks as one of my favorites—and it’s a place I’d recommend making a special trip to see. Located about an hour west of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Ricketts Glen is one of the most scenic areas in the state.

The park spans 13,193 acres, features 22 named waterfalls, and offers more than 26 miles of trails. The star of the show is Ganoga Falls, plunging 94 feet, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, when funding fell through during World War II and Ricketts Glen didn’t receive National Park designation, Pennsylvanians stepped in and purchased the land themselves, ensuring it would be preserved. Kudos to those who had the foresight.

Waterfalls on the Falls Trail
(Counter-Clockwise)

Order	Waterfall	Height
1	Mohawk Falls	39 ft
2	Oneida Falls	13 ft
3	Cayuga Falls	11 ft
4	Ganoga Falls	94 ft
5	Seneca Falls	12 ft
6	Delaware Falls	37 ft
7	Mohican Falls	39 ft
8	Conestoga Falls	17 ft
9	Tuscarora Falls	47 ft
10	Erie Falls	47 ft
—	Waters Meet	—
11	Harrison Wright Falls	27 ft
12	Sheldon Reynolds Falls	36 ft
13	Murray Reynolds Falls	16 ft
—	Backtrack to Waters Meet	—
14	Wyandot Falls	15 ft
15	B. Reynolds Falls	40 ft
16	R. B. Ricketts Falls	36 ft
17	Ozone Falls	15 ft
18	Huron Falls	18 ft
19	Shawnee Falls	12 ft
20	F. L. Ricketts Falls	80 ft
21	Onondaga Falls	14 ft
22	Harrison Wright Falls (Upper)*	22 ft
	* Historically named but not always labeled separately on newer maps.

Photos: Trail Map | Beautiful Fall morning to hike!

Hiking the Falls Trail
(Counter-Clockwise from Lake Rose)

If you’re visiting Ricketts Glen for the first time, the Falls Trail Loop is the main event. My recommendation is to park at the Lake Rose Trailhead and hike the loop counter-clockwise, starting down the Highland Trail. This gives you a gradual descent early on and saves the bigger climbs for later.

Going at an off-time—early morning, a weekday, or during light mist—makes the experience even better. Overcast weather actually enhances the mood here, with fog drifting through the glen and waterfalls running strong.

Below are the waterfalls in the order you’ll encounter them hiking counter-clockwise.

Mohawk Falls

Mohawk Falls is the first named waterfall you encounter hiking counter-clockwise from the Lake Rose Trailhead, and it’s easy to underestimate. Rather than a dramatic plunge, Mohawk spreads wide over rock ledges, creating a powerful, fast-moving cascade that feels more energetic than tall. It’s a subtle reminder that Ricketts Glen isn’t just about height—it’s about flow, sound, and momentum.

Photo: Mohawk Falls

Oneida Falls & Cayuga Falls

Oneida and Cayuga Falls arrive quietly, tucked into the forest and flowing naturally with Kitchen Creek. These smaller cascades don’t demand attention, but they reward it. Together, they create a gentle rhythm early in the hike, easing you into the glen before the scenery turns dramatic.

Photo: Oneida Falls | Cayuga Falls

Ganoga Falls

Ganoga Falls is the undeniable centerpiece of Ricketts Glen. At 94 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, and the sound alone announces its presence before you ever see it. Standing at the base, with mist hanging in the air and water crashing down the rock face, this is one of those moments where the hike briefly fades into the background.

Photos: Ganoga Falls – the highest falls in the park | Me at Ganoga Falls

Photos: Rock formations along the trail

Seneca Falls & Delaware Falls

Just below Ganoga, Seneca and Delaware Falls continue the cascade in quick succession. Seneca feels like a natural extension of Ganoga’s power, while Delaware offers a more classic plunge profile. Together, they keep the momentum going as the trail threads deeper into the glen.

Photos: Seneca Falls | Delaware Falls

Mohican Falls

Often confused with Mohawk because of the name, Mohican Falls feels entirely different. This waterfall has a stronger vertical drop and a more defined plunge pool, giving it a classic “textbook waterfall” look. It’s one of the most photogenic stops on the west side of the Falls Trail.

Photo: Mohican Falls

Conestoga Falls

Conestoga Falls is narrow and understated, slipping quietly between rock walls. It doesn’t stop you in your tracks, but it adds texture to the hike and reinforces how continuous the water flow is through the glen.

Photo: Conestoga Falls

Tuscarora Falls & Erie Falls

Tuscarora and Erie Falls are two of the most impressive waterfalls on the west side of the loop. Tuscarora brings height and presence, while Erie spreads wide and powerful across the rock face. Seen back-to-back, they mark a turning point where the trail begins to feel more rugged and remote.

Photos: Tuscarora Falls | Erie Falls

Waters Meet

Waters Meet isn’t a waterfall, but it’s a pivotal point on the Falls Trail. Here, the streams converge—and so do decisions. It’s the natural place to pause, regroup, and decide whether to continue deeper into the glen or turn back.

Photos: Waters Meet

Harrison Wright Falls &
Sheldon Reynolds Falls

Harrison Wright and Sheldon Reynolds Falls feel balanced and composed, with steady flow and clean lines. These waterfalls don’t overwhelm, but they’re deeply satisfying, offering a sense of calm after the intensity of the larger falls upstream.

Photos: Harrison Wright Falls | Sheldon Reynolds Falls

Murray Reynolds Falls

Murray Reynolds Falls marks the end of the lower stretch of the Falls Trail and makes a natural turnaround point. While smaller than some of the earlier waterfalls, it feels like a quiet conclusion—less about spectacle and more about the journey you’ve just completed.

Photos: Murray Reynolds Falls

Backtracking to Waters Meet & Heading Up the East Side

After reaching Murray Reynolds Falls, we backtracked to Waters Meet, crossed the bridge, and began the climb up the east side of the Falls Trail. This section feels noticeably different from the west side—quieter, more enclosed, and less about dramatic drops. Instead, the waterfalls arrive in quick succession, each with its own subtle personality, making the ascent feel steady and immersive rather than overwhelming.

Wyandot Falls & B. Reynolds Falls

Wyandot Falls is the first waterfall you encounter after crossing Waters Meet, easing you into the east side of the glen. It’s followed closely by B. Reynolds Falls, and together they feel like companion pieces—smaller, steady cascades that flow naturally with the trail. This pairing sets a calmer rhythm as the hike begins to climb away from the creek.

Photos: Wyandot Falls | B. Reynolds Falls (middle & right pics)

R. B. Ricketts Falls

R. B. Ricketts Falls feels more deliberate and composed than the waterfalls surrounding it. Framed tightly by rock and forest, it has a quiet presence that invites a pause. The name alone carries weight here, tying the experience directly back to the park’s origins and the legacy behind its preservation.

Photo: R B Ricketts Falls

Ozone Falls, Huron Falls & Shawnee Falls

This stretch of the trail delivers waterfalls in quick succession. Ozone, Huron, and Shawnee Falls appear one after another, each slightly different in shape and flow, yet close enough together that they feel like a continuous sequence. Individually they’re modest, but taken together they create one of the most enjoyable sections of the east side—fluid, quiet, and deeply scenic.

Photos: Ozone Falls | Huron | Shawnee Falls

F. L. Ricketts Falls

Named for the park’s founder, F. L. Ricketts Falls carries a sense of reflection rather than spectacle. The cascade is clean and balanced, fitting for a namesake waterfall. It feels like a subtle reminder of how easily this landscape could have been lost—and how fortunate it is that it wasn’t.

Photo: F L Ricketts Falls

Onondaga Falls

Onondaga Falls is the last named waterfall you encounter before leaving the Falls Trail. Slightly removed from the intensity of the earlier sections, it feels like a natural conclusion—quiet, contained, and unhurried. From here, the trail gradually reconnects with the Highland Trail, signaling the final stretch back toward Lake Rose and the completion of the loop.
Finishing the Loop & Trail Options

Photo: Onondaga Falls

Finishing the Loop & Trail Options

After passing Onondaga Falls, the Falls Trail continues a short distance before reconnecting with the Highland Trail, marking the final leg of the hike. From here, you have two clear options for returning to the Lake Rose Trailhead, depending on how much hiking you’re looking to do.

If you head west on the Highland Trail, the loop comes in at approximately 4.1 miles, with 866 feet of elevation gain, taking around 2 hours and 15 minutes at a comfortable pace. It’s a great option if you’re short on time or want a more relaxed finish.

For a longer day, you can continue on the Falls Trail to the Bear Walk Trail before looping back to the parking lot. This extended route totals about 7.5 miles, with 1,112 feet of elevation gain, and takes roughly 3 hours and 20 minutes. I was in the mood for a solid hike that day and opted for the longer route—it felt like the right way to fully experience the park.

A Note on Waterfall Photos

Looking back at my waterfall photos nearly ten months after the hike, I realized I was able to identify almost all of the falls post-trip—but it also appears I missed Huron Falls along the way. Lesson learned: when a trail delivers this many waterfalls in quick succession, it pays to keep a quick photo journal or notes as you go.

Still, that’s part of the charm of Ricketts Glen. With so much water, motion, and scenery packed into a single loop, it’s the kind of place that invites a return visit.

Catch you on the trail!

Date of visit: 12 September 2022