The Glen Onoko trail at Lehigh Gorge State Park is hard but fun. It leads to a beautiful overlook and waterfall. And it is open! Although many people seem to think otherwise, that’s for a good reason.
There are a few different trails at Glen Onoko. The waterfall trail is closed. However, the other two trails are open, even though the PA DNCR does not advertise them.
We hiked the trails at Glen Onoko on New Year’s Eve in 2023. It was a great day for a hike since not many people were on the trails. However, when you’re tired from the trail, it does make it difficult to stay awake until midnight!
Although the waterfall trail is closed, you can still access one waterfall at Glen Onoko without going on the closed waterfall trail. The guide below shares how and where to do that, as well as how to get to the gorgeous overlook of the Leigh River. So, let’s start planning your next hike!
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What To Know Before You Visit Glen Onoko at Lehigh Gorge State Park
Waterfall Trail is Closed
Unfortunately, due to many accidents and even some deaths, they’ve had to close to the waterfall trail at Glen Onoko. When you arrive at the trailhead, you’ll see the waterfall trail is X’d out. And as you approach the trail, you’ll see several signs warning you that it is closed.
Please do not attempt to do the waterfall trail at Glen Onoko. If a park ranger finds you on the trail, you will be fined.
Hunting
Part of the trail below wanders from Lehigh Gorge State Park into State Game Lands 141, where hunting is permitted. Please wear bright orange color during hunting season, which can range from October through April.
Amenities at Glen Onoko
There is a small bathroom near the Glen Onoko parking lot. Follow the road down towards the boat launch. The toilets are primitive and do not have running water, so you’ll need to bring some hand sanitizer.
Be a Responsible Visitor
As you visit this trail, remember to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Parking for Glen Onoko Trail
There is a paved parking lot by the Glen Onoko trailhead that holds about two dozen cars. If that lot is full, you can follow the road down and around and park near the boat launch.
Hike to Lehigh River Overlook at Glen Onoko
| Trail Location: | Lehigh Gorge State Park at the Glen Onoko access area along the Lehigh Gorge Trail |
| Trail Length: | 3.6 miles |
| Trail Difficulty: | The trail is on the harder side of moderate. It is very steep in the first half but then levels out somewhat for the second half to the top. |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 1060 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Trailhead
To reach the trailhead at Glen Onoko, take the stairs at the end of the parking lot and walk under the road. Follow along the river until you see the sign for the Glen Onoko Trail.
You have a few hiking options at Glen Onoko. Even though the waterfall trail is closed, you can still enjoy the Overlook Trail and the Shortcut Trail. We combined both and added a section in the State Game Lands to make this loop.
Shorter Option: You can take the Shortcut Trail to the top of Cave Falls and then back down again. This will make the hike about 1.6 miles. You will not see the Lehigh Gorge Overlook with this option.
Along the Trail
Based on other recommendations, we chose to go counter-clockwise for this loop, taking the Overlook Trail (red blazes) first. This is the steepest part of the trail, with grades 30-45%. Much of this section is made up of stone steps.
Once you reach the top, the trail levels out. Before turning left to continue on the Overlook Trail, you’ll see a worn-down path on your right that leads to the Lehigh Gorge Overlook. It is at this point where you will enter State Game Lands 141.
To the Overlook
This portion of the trail is unmarked. The path is pretty obvious, but using an app like Strava (what we used) or All Trails will help you navigate more clearly. We visited in the winter, but I think the trail would be more evident when there is a lot of green.
There is a large clearing by the overlook and a nice rocky area to sit on and enjoy the view. It’s amazing to see how the Lehigh River snakes around. You can also see Jim Thorpe in the distance.
After you enjoy the view, backtrack the way you came until you reach the Overlook Trail (red blazes) again.
Cave Falls
Continue along the Overlook Trail until it intersects with the Shortcut Trail (blue blazes), and you see the sign directing you to the waterfalls. From there, it’s a short walk to the top of Cave Falls.
To reach the bottom of Cave Falls, you’ll have to walk along the waterfall trail down the stone steps. It is advisable not to go further along the waterfall trail than this part. Even this area can get you in trouble.
After Cave Falls, head back to the Shortcut Trail and follow that down. It connects to the Overlook Trail towards the bottom of the mountain, which you can follow back to the trailhead.
Other Hikes Near Glen Onoko Trail
With Lehigh Gorge State Park and the mountains near Jim Thorpe, there are other fun hikes nearby. One of those popular hikes is the Mount Pisgah trail, accessed from North Avenue. Or you could walk or bike along the Lehigh Gorge Trail.
A little further north is Hickory Run State Park, which has some popular trails like Shades of Death and Hawk Falls. Or you could head south to the Lehigh Gap overlook trail, which is also challenging but fun.
Wrapping Up the Glen Onoko Hike
Even though it is not well advertised, you can still enjoy the trails at Glen Onoko. The 3.6-mile loop incorporating the Overlook Trail and Shortcut Trail, as well as the unmarked trail to the Lehigh Gorge overlook, is hard at first but then eventually becomes moderately easy.
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