Information
Landmark: Ricketts Glen State ParkCity: Allentown
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Ricketts Glen State Park, Allentown, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
This guide to Ricketts Glen State Park walks you through its geography, rich history, winding trails, roaring waterfalls, lodging options, outdoor activities, and all the practical info you’ll need before you go.Ricketts Glen State Park ranks among Pennsylvania’s most breathtaking and diverse landscapes, where pine-scented trails wind past sparkling waterfalls.The park stretches across 13,193 acres, reaching into Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties in Pennsylvania’s northeast, where pine needles crunch softly underfoot.The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources runs it, keeping the trails clear and the map signs fresh.The park’s big draw is the Glens Natural Area, where waterfalls tumble along three main streams-Kitchen Creek, Ganoga Glen, and Glen Leigh.In 1969, Natural Features Glens Natural Area earned the title of National Natural Landmark, its steep, wooded ravines a quiet testament to the honor.An old-growth forest stands here, its towering trees more than 300 years old, their bark rough and dark with age.This place is thick with hemlock and mixed hardwoods, tangled undergrowth, and a damp, temperate air that nurtures waterfalls spilling into mossy ravines.The Falls Trail System winds past 22 waterfalls, each with its own name-one roars like distant thunder, another trickles softly over mossy stone.Ganoga Falls towers 94 feet high, the water thundering into the pool below.You’ll also find Tuscarora Falls dropping 47 feet, Mohican Falls tumbling 39 feet, and the gentle Oneida Falls cascading just 13 feet, all worth a pause to watch the water sparkle.Reynolds Falls towers 40 feet, while nearby F. L. Ricketts Falls drops 38; each has its own character, from the way the water spills over jagged rock to the moss and ferns clinging to the edges.The Falls Trail System offers a full 7.2‑mile loop or a shorter 3.2‑mile option, rated moderate to difficult, winding through steep, rocky gorges with wooden footbridges, narrow staircases, and sharp switchbacks; expect slick spots, wear sturdy boots, leash your dog, and note it’s closed in winter unless you’re equipped for ice.Nearby, the easy one‑mile Evergreen Trail includes interpretive signs, and Adams Falls drops 36 feet in a rush of white water.Cherry Run Trail stretches 4.6 miles, winding through sunlit meadows, quiet forest, and the old gravel beds of a long-gone logging railroad.Laurel View Trail stretches 1.9 miles in a loop, offering sweeping views of the valley where golden grasses ripple in the wind.Old Beaver Dam Road Trail stretches four miles, offering a rugged, backcountry-style trek where pine needles crunch underfoot.Mountain Springs Trail stretches four miles, winding into peaceful, tucked‑away spots by the clear blue waters of Lake Leigh.Beach Trail, Bear Walk, and Highland Trail link the shore to the falls, making it easy to weave routes together-picture sand underfoot giving way to cool mist from the cascade.Campground offers 120 campsites, open April through December, with the scent of pine drifting through the cool morning air.A few spots are hooked up to power, with cords humming softly in the dirt.You’ll find spots where pets are welcome-think grassy patches perfect for a nap in the sun.Amenities include restrooms with hot showers, dump stations, fire rings, and picnic tables.Ten modern cabins-warm in winter and airy in summer-are available all year.It’s got heat, electricity, a kitchen that smells faintly of coffee, a bathroom, and a couple of bedrooms.Fits four to six people, with room to stretch your legs.Cabin H offers full ADA access, with a wide front door you can roll through easily.Deluxe Cottages offers five cozy units, welcoming guests from the first blush of April to the crisp days of mid-October.It comes with a small kitchenette, a cozy porch, and electric heating that hums softly in the background.Fits up to five people-picture a cozy night with friends around the fire.They’re all ADA accessible, with smooth ramps and wide doors you can roll through easily.Group tenting can host as many as 240 people, with room for gear and campfire chatter under the stars.Perfect for scout groups, school trips, or big outdoor events where laughter carries through the trees.At Lake Jean Recreation Area, the 245-acre lake welcomes paddlers and quiet electric motorboats, its surface rippling under the breeze.In summer, you can rent boats-canoes, kayaks, even a bright yellow paddleboat.There’s a boat launch ramp here, along with spots to tie up your vessel at the mooring area.Cast your line in this warm-water fishery for largemouth bass, panfish, stocked trout, or pickerel, but don’t forget-you’ll need a Pennsylvania fishing license.I swam the 600-foot stretch of soft, warm sand along Lake Jean.We’re open from Memorial Day right through Labor Day, welcoming you under the warm summer sun.There’s no lifeguard on duty-swim at your own risk, and keep an eye on the choppy waves.Right next to the trail, you’ll find picnic tables, clean restrooms, and a small stand serving hot coffee.In winter, you can drop a line through the ice on Lake Jean, roar across designated trails on a snowmobile, glide through open fields and quiet forest roads on cross-country skis, scale frozen waterfalls in the Glens Natural Area if you’re an experienced climber, and watch wildlife move through Ricketts Glen’s rich, snow-dusted landscape.You might spot white-tailed deer slipping through the trees, a black bear lumbering along a trail, or a wild turkey darting into the brush.Red foxes prowl quietly, barred owls call from the shadows, and pileated woodpeckers hammer at tall pines.Birdwatching stays rewarding all year, with spring and fall migrations bringing bursts of color and sound.Spend the day outdoors at one of the many picnic spots, each with a sturdy table, a shaded pavilion, and a charcoal grill ready for burgers.You can book a pavilion online for your group, whether it’s a picnic with sandwiches or a birthday party under the shade.Playgrounds sit near the shore, with day-use spots just steps from the sand.Peak season runs from May through October, and weekends pack in the crowds-expect lines at the coffee stand by nine.The best time to see the waterfall is in spring, right after the snow melts, or following a heavy rain when the air smells fresh and the rocks glisten.Wear waterproof hiking shoes, layer your clothes, and pack something to keep off the rain-think a hooded jacket that beads water.Bring your own water and snacks-only a few concession stands are open, and they’re down to basics like chips and soda.Phone service is spotty in a lot of places-sometimes you’ll lose signal halfway through a call.You’ll need a permit for ice climbing or any organized group outing, whether you’re scaling a frozen waterfall or leading a winter tour.Accessibility’s restricted to ADA cabins and a few designated spots, while most trails stay rough and uneven underfoot.Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 State Route 487 in Benton, PA 17814, welcomes visitors daily from sunrise to sunset; call 570‑477‑5675 for details, note camping runs April through December with cabins open year‑round, and book through the PA State Parks Reservation System at 888‑PA‑PARKS or online.Just up the road, you’ll find Worlds End State Park, about a short drive away, where the air smells of pine and the trails wind through rugged cliffs.About 45 minutes north, you’ll find Loyalsock State Forest’s Lake Jean with its picnic tables and sandy beach, the sweeping view from Red Rock Mountain Overlook, and the historic covered bridges scattered through Columbia County-all leading to Ricketts Glen State Park, a top spot for waterfall chasers, hikers, campers, and anyone who loves the outdoors.Whether you’re after the hush of a lake at dawn, the grit of a steep mountain trail, or a sunny spot for a family picnic, this park delivers an experience steeped in Pennsylvania’s wild charm.
