From our sprawling Endless Mountains and rolling hills to verdant forests and flowing creeks, Northeastern Pennsylvania is a nature lover’s dream. A stay at Huckleberry Hollow puts you right in the heart of it all with access to multiple major state parks.
With hundreds of miles of hiking trails right at our doorstep, it’s almost impossible to pick our favorites, but one thing everyone can appreciate? Waterfalls! Whether you’re looking for an exciting expedition or a quick romp into nature, there’s nothing quite like the beauty of a waterfall to jolt the senses: cool mist, the roar of rushing water, and that bridal veil-like cascade, it’s just as pretty as a wedding day. Here are our recommendations for the best waterfall hikes near Lopez and Huckleberry Hollow.
Please note: Trail access can change seasonally or without notice. We recommend confirming directly with each park before visiting.
Best for Nature Photographers: Falls Trail, Ganoga Falls
- 7.2-mile loop
- Difficult
The Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most popular hiking trails in the area, for good reason. Throughout the entire loop, you’ll encounter over 20 photo-worthy waterfalls cascading down rock-strewn cliffs, including the breathtaking 94-foot-tall Ganoga Falls—the tallest in the park!
Considered difficult, the terrain is slippery, rocky, and contains some steep climbs. Inexperienced hikers should avoid this trail, but don’t fret. Keep reading this article for some easier recommendations.
The full loop is a strenuous 7.2 miles if you hike both the upper and lower sections, but most of the waterfalls can still be viewed on a shorter 3.2-mile loop by taking Highland Trail and the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the trail. (View a map here.)
How to Visit
- Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
(About a 15-minute drive from Huckleberry Hollow) - Seasons and Hours: Ricketts Glen State Park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. Note that the Falls Trail system is closed in the winter except for properly equipped ice climbers and hikers.
- View the Falls Trail Map
- Visit the Ricketts Glen State Park Website
Best for Families: Evergreen Trail, Adams Falls
- 1 mile loop
- Easy
Also in Ricketts Glen State Park, Evergreen is an excellent alternative to the more strenuous Falls Trail. On this gentle hike, you’ll view the scenic Adams Falls, the park’s 22nd named waterfall. It’s located just a few steps from the Evergreen parking lot, making this the most accessible waterfall in the park. Continue down the path to find a self-guided nature tour with kid-friendly signs through a 500-year-old forest.
How to Visit
- Address: 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
(About a 15-minute drive from Huckleberry Hollow) - Seasons and Hours: The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.
- Visit the Ricketts Glen State Park Website
Best for Adventurers: Loyalsock Trail, Dutchman Falls
- 0.6 miles out and back
- Difficult
The full Loyalsock Trail is a 59-mile trail that passes through the rugged nature of the Loyalsock State Forest, well worth it for the intrepid adventurer. However, if you’re not up for a multi-day expedition, you can reach the picturesque Dutchman Falls just 0.3 miles from a convenient parking lot.
Why did we rate this as difficult if it’s only 0.6 miles long? The trail has multiple steep, slippery spots and can be confusing to follow, despite its short length. PA Bucket List has a detailed write-up that explains exactly how to reach the waterfall, including helpful photos.
How to Visit
- Address: Mead Rd, Dushore, PA 18614
(About a 20-minute drive from Huckleberry Hollow) - Seasons and Hours: Trail is usually open daily from sunrise to sunset, however, it’s not recommended to visit in winter due to harsh conditions.
- View the Dutchman Falls Trail Map (also includes a map for neighboring Haystack Rapids Trail)
- Visit the Loyalsock State Forest Website
Best for Casual Hikers: Double Run Nature Trail, Cottonwood Falls
- 1.2-mile loop
- Easy to Moderate
The 1.2-mile Double Run Nature Trail begins and ends on PA-154 across from the Worlds End State Park chapel. It travels through the rich, fertile woodlands of the Loyalsock State Forest, where you’ll find numerous pools and waterfalls, including the only named waterfall in the park: Cottonwood Falls. This plunging waterfall is small, but absolutely breathtaking, and relatively easy to reach for hikers of all ages and abilities. Watch out for some slick areas.
How to Visit
- Address: PA-154, Forksville, PA 18616
(About a 30-minute drive from Huckleberry Hollow)
The parking area and trailhead can be a bit tricky to find from the address alone, so here are the exact coordinates: 41.465889, -76.578611. - Seasons and Hours: Trail is usually open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- View the Double Run Nature Trail Map (also includes maps for other trails in Worlds End State Park)
- Visit the Worlds End State Park Website
Best for Nature Lovers: Jacoby Falls Trail, Jacoby Run Falls
- 3.4 miles out and back
- Easy
About an hour from Huckleberry Hollow, but completely worth the scenic drive, this short day-hike trail leads to the tranquil Jacoby Run Falls. The trailhead offers plenty of parking and is especially rewarding in spring with a stunning display of wildflowers, or equally fantastic in fall with a backdrop of colorful foliage. It’s moderately steep, but doable for most hikers.
How to Visit
- Address: 3878 Wallis Run Rd, Trout Run, PA 17771
(About a 1-hour drive from Huckleberry Hollow) - Seasons and Hours: Trail is usually open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- View the Jacoby Falls Trail Map
- Visit the Loyalsock State Forest Website
Things to Know Before You Go
Keep these tips in mind for a safe, stress-free experience:
Always wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots with good grip. All of the hikes we listed can have quite slippery conditions.
Be prepared with proper clothing and equipment. It might sound like overkill, but there’s no such thing as being too prepared. Bring snacks and enough water to stay hydrated. Wear layers of clothing so you’re ready for cold and hot weather. It’s also a good idea to bring a compass, a physical map, and a flashlight in case your phone runs out of batteries. This is especially important when hiking remote trails or in colder seasons with less traffic.
Give yourself enough time to hike. The weather changes quickly and unpredictably in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Make sure you’re done hiking before it gets dark.
Let someone know where you’re hiking and when you plan to return. No matter how skilled you are, accidents happen and people get lost. Always make sure someone knows where you are.
Stay on designated trails. Leaving the trail causes damage to natural resources, promotes erosion, and puts you in danger of getting lost.
Love Chasing Waterfalls?
You’re in luck. Northeastern PA is bursting with an abundance of waterfall hikes beyond the ones we listed here.
After your day of chasing waterfalls, Huckleberry Hollow is the perfect peaceful place to return to: countryside charm. Wide open views. Real solitude. Book your stay today.