Poconos Hiking Guide: Waterfalls, Trails & Essential Tips

Quick Facts

Location: Northeast PA (Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Carbon)
Best Season: October (Foliage)
Top Draw: Ricketts Glen Waterfalls
Hidden Cost: Bushkill Falls (~$22/person)

The Poconos have 21 waterfalls in one park, a boulder field you can walk across, and a trail that’s been closed for killing too many people.

The tourism boards will sell you on “pristine wilderness” and “something for everyone,” but the reality of hiking in Northeastern Pennsylvania is a mix of world-class geology and frustrating logistics. You can find solitude, but you have to know where to look - and often, it involves waking up before 8 AM.

Why Hike the Poconos?

The region covers roughly 2,400 square miles of glaciated plateau, cut deep by the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. This geology creates the steep gorges and waterfalls the area is famous for.

It’s also the most accessible “wild” area for millions of people. Located just two hours from both Philadelphia and New York City, the Poconos serve as the backyard for the megalopolis. This means trails can get crowded.

But beyond the waterparks and resorts, the hiking here is legitimate. The terrain is rocky, the climbs are steep, and the forests are dense with hardwoods that turn valleys into corridors of fire in October.

Where to Hike: The Essential Parks

If you only have a weekend, these are the four state and national parks that define the region.

Ricketts Glen State Park

Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park

This is the crown jewel. The Falls Trail is widely considered the best day hike in Pennsylvania. It takes you past 21 named waterfalls ranging from 11 feet to the 94-foot Ganoga Falls.

Distance: 7.2 miles loop
Elevation: 1,000 ft cumulative gain
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous (steep stone steps, wet surfaces, slippery rocks)
Highlights: 21 named waterfalls including Ganoga Falls (94 ft), Harrison Wright Falls (27 ft), Sheldon Reynolds Falls (36 ft)
Best Time: Spring for high water flow, fall for foliage (mid-October peak)
Trailhead: Route 118 parking areas (Beach Lot 2 or Lake Rose parking)
Pro Tip: Arrive before 9 AM on weekends or the lots will be full

It is not an easy stroll. The trail is wet, slippery, and steep. Do not attempt it in flip-flops. Bring trekking poles and wear boots with good traction.

⚠️ Warning: The parking lots at Ricketts Glen fill by 9 AM on nice weekends. Arrive early or plan to hike a secondary trail. The Falls Trail has steep stone steps and can be treacherous when wet or icy.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Managed by the National Park Service, this massive park straddles the PA/NJ border. The PA side offers miles of the Appalachian Trail, but the most iconic view is actually on the Jersey side: Mount Tammany.

Mount Tammany (New Jersey side, but worth the drive)

View of the Delaware Water Gap from Mount Tammany

Distance: 3.5 miles loop (Red Dot Trail)
Elevation: 1,250 ft gain
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous (steep, rocky, hand-over-hand sections near summit)
The View: Classic view looking down into the Delaware Water Gap
Trailhead: Dunnfield Creek parking area (I-80 Exit 1 in NJ)
Best Time: Fall for foliage, spring for wildflowers
Pro Tip: The Blue Dot Trail is easier but longer. Red Dot is steep but faster.

Dingmans Falls (Pennsylvania side)

Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Elevation: Minimal (flat boardwalk)
Time: 20-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy (accessible boardwalk)
Highlights: 130-foot waterfall, accessible for all ages
Best Time: Spring for high water flow
Dogs: Not allowed on boardwalk

Hickory Run State Park

Hickory Run is defined by the Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark. It’s a 16-acre expanse of sandstone boulders left behind by the last ice age.

Boulder Field

The massive Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park

Distance: 0.5 miles from parking (or 3.8 miles via Boulder Field Trail)
Elevation: Minimal if driving, 400 ft gain via trail
Time: 30 minutes from parking, 2-3 hours via trail
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (hopping across boulders requires balance)
Access: Drive to Boulder Field parking area off PA Route 534
Best Time: Fall for foliage, summer for exploration
Pro Tip: The boulders are slippery when wet. Wear shoes with good grip.

Hawk Falls

Hawk Falls at Hickory Run State Park

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Elevation: 200 ft descent
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate (roots, rocks, stream crossings)
Highlights: Powerful 25-foot waterfall with swimmable hole (freezing water)
Trailhead: Hawk Falls parking area off PA Route 534
Best Time: Spring for high water flow, summer for swimming (if you dare)

Lehigh Gorge State Park

Lehigh Gorge State Park along the river

This park follows the Lehigh River and is a completely different vibe. The main artery is the D&L Trail (Delaware & Lehigh Trail), a flat, gravel rail-trail that runs for 26 miles through the gorge.

Distance: 26 miles (Lehigh Gorge section: Jim Thorpe to White Haven)
Elevation: Nearly flat (2% grade, follows the river)
Time: Variable (most do 10-15 mile sections)
Surface: Crushed stone, perfect for biking or walking
Best Sections:
Jim Thorpe to Glen Onoko (5 miles): Most scenic, gorge walls
Glen Onoko to Rockport (8 miles): Remote, dramatic cliffs
Usage: Multi-use trail (hikers, bikers, runners)
Access: Multiple parking areas along Route 903
Best Time: Fall for foliage, spring for high water in the river
Pro Tip: Rent a bike in Jim Thorpe and shuttle back. The gorge walls are steep and dramatic, but hiking up them is limited.

The gorge walls are steep and dramatic, but hiking up them is limited. This brings us to a critical warning about Glen Onoko.

What the Tourism Sites Won’t Tell You

Poconos hiking has some specific rules and hazards that catch visitors off guard.

Glen Onoko is Closed (and Dangerous)

For decades, the Glen Onoko Falls trail was a bucket-list hike. It is now permanently closed.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission closed the trail in 2019 due to deteriorating trail conditions and frequent serious injuries and deaths. Rescuing hikers from the steep, slippery rocks was putting first responders at risk.

Do not hike it. It is illegal, heavily patrolled, and you will be fined.

Bushkill Falls Costs Real Money

Boardwalks and waterfalls at Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls bills itself as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania.” It is beautiful, with eight waterfalls and well-maintained boardwalks.

Distance: 2 miles (Red Trail, longest loop)
Elevation: Moderate (lots of stairs, but boardwalks)
Time: 1.5-2 hours for full loop
Difficulty: Moderate (stairs, but well-maintained boardwalks)
Highlights: 8 waterfalls including Main Falls (100+ ft), Bridal Veil Falls, Laurel Glen Falls
Admission: ~$22 per adult, ~$12 per child (family of four: ~$100)
Season: Open April to November (closes for winter)
Website: Bushkill Falls

It is also a private park. If you want boardwalks and amenities (gift shop, food, clean restrooms), it might be worth it. If you just want waterfalls, Ricketts Glen is free.

Orange Rules on Game Lands

Many hiking trails in the Poconos cross into State Game Lands (like SGL 127). These are hunting grounds first, recreation areas second.

From November 15 to December 15, all hikers on Game Lands are required by law to wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange (head and chest/back). We strongly recommend wearing orange anytime you hike in the fall, regardless of the law.

Parking Wars

We mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: parking is the biggest crux of Poconos hiking. At Ricketts Glen, Mount Tammany, and Hawk Falls, the lots are often full by mid-morning.

If you arrive at 11 AM on a Saturday, have a backup plan. Do not park illegally on the road - you will get towed.

Rattlesnakes

The rocky, sunny ledges of the Poconos are prime habitat for Timber Rattlesnakes. They are generally docile unless provoked, but keep your eyes on the trail and your dog on a leash.

Camping & Lodging

Camping: The Poconos have excellent camping options:

Hickory Run State Park: 381 sites, electric hookups available, $20-30/night. Reservations recommended for summer/fall weekends.
Delaware Water Gap NRA: Primitive camping at designated sites. Free, but limited amenities.
Promised Land State Park: 500+ sites, cabins available, lake access. $20-30/night for tent sites.
Ricketts Glen State Park: 120 sites, no electric hookups. $20-25/night. Book early for fall weekends.

Lodging: Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, and Jim Thorpe have extensive hotel options. For a unique stay, consider historic B&Bs in Jim Thorpe or lakeside cabins near Promised Land State Park.

Nearby Hubs:

Jim Thorpe (30 miles west of Lehigh Gorge): Outdoor recreation hub with bike rentals, rafting, restaurants
Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg: Gateway to Delaware Water Gap, shopping, dining

Trail Recommendations

Need a specific hike? Here’s a breakdown by effort level.

Easy (High Reward / Low Effort)

Boulder Field (Hickory Run): You can drive right to it. Hopping across the rocks requires balance, but there’s no elevation gain.
Lehigh Gorge Trail: Flat, crushed stone. Great for families and bikes.
Dingmans Falls: A flat boardwalk trail leads to a tall waterfall. Accessible for everyone.

Moderate (Some Climbing)

Bushkill Falls (Red Trail): Lots of stairs, but the boardwalks make the footing easy.
Hawk Falls: A short hike (1.2 miles) with some roots and rocks, leading to a great waterfall.

Hard (Sweat Required)

Falls Trail (Ricketts Glen): 7.2 miles with steep stone steps and wet surfaces.
Mount Tammany (Red Dot Loop): A steep cardio workout with jagged rocks. The view is earned.

Seasonality

October (Best for Foliage): This is peak season. The hardwood forests turn brilliant shades of red and orange, typically mid-October (peak around October 10-20). It is world-class, but expect crowds to match. Ricketts Glen parking fills by 9 AM. Book camping 3-6 months in advance.
Spring (Best for Waterfalls): Snowmelt and spring rains create the highest water flow. Ricketts Glen, Bushkill Falls, and Dingmans Falls are at their most powerful in April and May. Wildflowers bloom on the ridges.
Summer (Best for Swimming): It gets humid in the gorges. Swimming holes at Delaware Water Gap and Hawk Falls are popular but can get rowdy. Bushkill Falls is open (April-November). Arrive early to beat crowds.
Winter (Best for Solitude): A quiet, distinct beauty. The waterfalls freeze into massive ice columns at Ricketts Glen and Bushkill Falls (which closes in late November). State Parks remain open, but you will need crampons for trails like Ricketts Glen. The D&L Trail is often hikeable year-round.

Photography Tips

Best Waterfall Photography: Ricketts Glen (Ganoga Falls, Harrison Wright Falls). Visit in spring for high water flow or fall for foliage. Morning light is best (soft, diffused). Bring an ND filter for silky water effects. Trekking poles double as tripod stabilizers on steep sections.

Best Overlook Photography: Mount Tammany summit. The classic Delaware Water Gap view. Shoot in late afternoon for warm light on the river. Fall foliage peaks around October 10-20.

Best Geological Feature: Boulder Field at Hickory Run. Late afternoon light creates dramatic shadows across the boulders. Fall foliage in the background adds color contrast.

Fall Foliage: Ricketts Glen and Delaware Water Gap peak around October 10-20. Shoot from overlooks in late afternoon for warm light. The Lehigh Gorge D&L Trail offers river-and-ridge compositions.

Ice Photography: Ricketts Glen in winter (December-February). Frozen waterfalls create stunning ice columns. Bring crampons and a wide-angle lens. Overcast days provide even lighting.

Common Questions

Is hiking free in the Poconos?
Yes, at all Pennsylvania State Parks and the National Recreation Area. Bushkill Falls is the notable exception, which charges admission.

What are the best Poconos waterfalls?
For a wild, rugged experience, go to Ricketts Glen. For an accessible, paid experience with boardwalks, go to Bushkill Falls.

Do I need a permit to hike?
No permits are needed for hiking in State Parks. You do need a license for fishing or hunting.

Are dogs allowed?
Generally, yes. Dogs must be on a leash in State Parks. They are not allowed on the boardwalks at Dingmans Falls or some sections of Bushkill Falls.