Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen: The Photographer's Playbook

Quick Facts

• Length: 7.2 miles (full loop) or 3.2 miles (shorter loop)
• Difficulty: “Most Difficult” (PA State Parks rating)
• Elevation Change: ~1,000 feet
• Time: 4-6 hours (photographers need more)
• Best For: Waterfall photographers, experienced hikers
• Warnings: Slippery rocks (24-30 rescues/year), winter closure

The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen is a 7.2-mile loop with 21 named waterfalls. You can hike it clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most hikers go counter-clockwise from the Lake Rose Trailhead - you see Mohawk Falls within 10 minutes, descend the spectacular Glen Leigh section, and finish with the flat Highland Trail when your legs are tired. Photographers need a tripod, a polarizer, and patience. It’s a conga line on nice weekends. There’s also a 3.2-mile shortcut that hits 18 of 21 falls. This is the tactical guide for doing the Falls Trail right.

Designated a National Natural Landmark, Ricketts Glen State Park is home to Pennsylvania’s most spectacular waterfall hike. For current trail conditions, check AllTrails.

Ganoga Falls - the 94-foot giant

Which Direction to Hike (The Strategy)

Counter-Clockwise (The Pro Move)

• Start: Lake Rose Trailhead
• Route: Down Glen Leigh → Waters Meet → Up Ganoga Glen → Highland Trail
• Why It Works: You see Mohawk Falls within 10 minutes for instant gratification. Descending Glen Leigh is spectacular and easier on the knees than climbing it. Best of all, you finish with the flat Highland Trail, saving your legs at the end. This route covers all 21 falls in approximately 4 miles from Lake Rose.

Steel stairs make the trail safer but still slippery

Clockwise (The Contrarian Approach)

• Pros: Get the boring Highland Trail done first.
• Cons: Climbing up steep, slippery sections when you’re tired.
• Verdict: Only do this if you hate instant gratification and prefer a harder finish.

The Waterfalls (What You’re Here For)

The Photography Targets

• Ganoga Falls (94 ft): The giant. Shoot from the base with a wide-angle lens (16-35mm is ideal).
• Harrison Wright Falls: Popular and photogenic structure, but it gets crowded.
• Sheldon Reynolds Falls: Excellent for motion blur experiments. Try 0.5-2s shutter speeds.
• Oneida Falls (13 ft): Small but offers very photogenic angles. A photographer’s favorite.

The Full List (21 Named Waterfalls)

In order along the counter-clockwise route:

• Glen Leigh (descending): Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Ganoga, Seneca, Delaware, Mohican, Conestoga, Tuscarora, Erie
• Waters Meet (junction)
• Ganoga Glen (ascending): Harrison Wright, Sheldon Reynolds, Murray Reynolds
• Highland Trail (flat section back to Lake Rose)

Waters Meet - the junction gets packed on weekends

Photography Guide (The Technical Stuff)

Gear You Need

• Tripod: Mandatory. You cannot hand-hold the 1-2 second exposures needed for silky water.
• Circular Polarizer (CPL): Non-negotiable. It cuts the glare on wet rocks and foliage, making colors pop.
• ND Filter: Optional but helpful for achieving silky water effects in brighter conditions.
• Wide-Angle Lens: A 16-35mm range is perfect for capturing the scale of the falls.

Camera Settings

• Silky Water Effect: 0.5-2 seconds shutter speed.
• Frozen Detail: 1/100s+ if you want to see individual droplets.
• ISO: Keep it low (100-200) to avoid noise.
• Aperture: f/8-f/11 for maximum sharpness.

Best Time to Shoot

• Overcast Days: Best. Even light prevents harsh shadows and hotspots on white water.
• Avoid: Midday sun. It creates high contrast that ruins waterfall shots.
• Crowds: Weekdays are quieter. Weekends turn into a conga line at Waters Meet.

Tripod and polarizer are mandatory for waterfall photography

The Shorter Loop (3.2 Miles, 18 Waterfalls)

The Route

Lake Rose → Down Ganoga Glen → Waters Meet → Up Glen Leigh → Highland Trail back to Lake Rose.

What You Miss

You only miss 3 smaller waterfalls.

Who It’s For

Photographers short on time, families with kids who can handle the terrain, or anyone who wants maximum waterfalls with minimum mileage.

Safety (This Is Serious)

⚠️ Warning: The rocks are extremely slippery year-round due to waterfall spray and moss.

Slippery Rocks

The trail is wet year-round. Rocks and stone steps are slick. The park sees 24-30 rescues per year, and serious injuries happen regularly.

Footwear

Hiking boots with ankle support are non-negotiable. No sneakers, no sandals, and definitely no “water shoes.”

Winter Closure

The trail closes from December to late March/early April due to ice. Only registered ice climbers with crampons, ice axes, and ropes are allowed.

Crowd Management

Waters Meet (the junction) gets packed on nice weekends. Patience is required if you want photos without people in the frame.

Logistics

Parking

Lake Rose Trailhead is the most convenient lot. It fills up before 8 AM on weekends, especially in October during peak foliage.

Time Required

• Full Loop (7.2 miles): 4-6 hours.
• Shorter Loop (3.2 miles): 2-3 hours.
• Photographers: Add 1-2 hours for setup and composition.

Best Season

• Spring (April-May): Waterfalls are fullest from snowmelt.
• Fall (October): Peak foliage, but also the most crowded time.
• Summer: Smaller waterfalls but still impressive.
• Winter: Closed (ice climbing only).

FAQ

Which direction should I hike? Counter-clockwise from Lake Rose. You see waterfalls immediately and finish with the flat Highland Trail.

How long does it take? 4-6 hours for the full loop. Add 1-2 hours if you’re photographing.

What’s the best waterfall for photos? Ganoga Falls (94 ft) is the giant. Oneida Falls (13 ft) is the photographer’s favorite for angles.

Is there a shorter option? Yes. The 3.2-mile loop hits 18 of 21 waterfalls.

What gear do I need for photography? Tripod, circular polarizer, ND filter (optional), wide-angle lens.

When should I avoid? Weekends in October (peak foliage = peak crowds). Midday sun (harsh light).

Explore More

• Check out the full Ricketts Glen State Park guide.
• Visit the Poconos region.
• Try the Mount Tammany Loop for another hard hike.