11 Beautiful Hikes With Waterfalls Near Philadelphia

Sometimes, you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to get out and explore nature.

Thankfully, there is no shortage of incredible hikes near Philadelphia. And while several of these hikes offer amazing views, like Mount Tammany or Hawk Mountain, others are known for their gorgeous waterfalls.

There aren’t many waterfall hikes right near Philadelphia. But if you drive a little bit outside the city, you can find some gorgeous trails that lead to waterfalls of all shapes and sizes.

The guide below shares all you need to know about these fun hikes with waterfalls near Philadelphia. Some of these trails are even accessible, making it easy for everyone to enjoy!

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Be a Responsible Visitor At These Waterfall Hikes

Remember, as you visit these waterfall trails, 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.

Hikes With Waterfalls Less Than Two Hours From Philadelphia

These waterfall hikes are less than two hours from Philadelphia, making them the perfect activity for morning or afternoon out with family or friends.

This waterfall trail at Ringing Rocks County Park in Upper Black Eddy is one of the closest to Philadelphia. Located in upper Bucks County, this county park is mainly known for its “ringing rocks”. When you hit the rocks in the large boulder field with a hammer, they ring perfectly.

However, many visitors also love the waterfall trail. The loop is approximately one mile long and leads toward the tallest waterfall in Bucks County.

From the trail, you can see the top of the waterfall. More adventurous visitors will want to climb down to the creek bed to get a better look. Be careful, as the rocks can be slippery.

This waterfall is at its fullest in the winter and early spring months. During the summer and fall months, when it’s drier, visitors can walk up the creek bed from the creek trail, an offshoot of the loop trail.

This waterfall hike near Philadelphia is not in Pennsylvania! Kilgore Falls is a popular waterfall trail in Maryland, and it makes sense. It’s an easy .7-mile, out-and-back trail that showcases Maryland’s second-tallest waterfall.

Kilgore Falls is so popular reservations are required on the weekends and holidays from the beginning of May through Labor Day. However, during the winter months, the waterfall is still gorgeous, and it’s not crowded, making it a great time to visit.

Plan to wear water-resistant footwear to get close to the waterfall. You’ll have to cross the creek via stepping stones, and the water level may be high.

Hawk Falls is a relatively easy waterfall trail not far from Philadelphia. It’s also one of the most popular trails in Hickory Run State Park.

The 1.2-mile, out-and-back trail can be completed in less than 30 minutes unless you choose to lounge by the falls. (There is no swimming allowed at Hawk Falls).

The trail is primarily flat, with a short decline at the beginning of the trail. Many visitors climb up the boulders on the side of the falls. You can connect to the trail from the top of the falls and shorten your journey.

It’s fun to combine this short hike with another hike at Hickory Run State Park, like the Shades of Death (see below) or the Boulder Field Trail, a 3.5 in-and-out trail that starts across the street from the Hawk Falls parking lot.

This ominous waterfall trail near Philadelphia isn’t as bad as it sounds. Actually, it’s quite the opposite! Many people have described the Shades of Death trail as “magical” with its massive rhododendrons and beautiful cascades.

No matter where you park, you’ll be treated to a waterfall immediately. We prefer parking by the Hickory State Park Visitor Center, which has nice, clean bathrooms and a water fountain.

The big falls are man-made by damming the Sand Spring Run in multiple places, but that doesn’t make them any less beautiful. And the natural cascades are a sight to see. Some even look like natural water slides.

The trail is very rocky and technical, as you’ll have to traverse large rocks and boulders and navigate over some water if it’s been rainy. There is even a stone staircase halfway through the trail.

If you want waterfalls without driving too far from Philadelphia, this is the trail for you. The Seven Tubs Recreation Area loop trail features several waterfalls and cascades. It’s a fun place to visit any time of year, but the summer months can bring the crowds.

The trail is a rocky loop that leads you around and over Wheelbarrow Run. It’s steep in some sections and even incorporates a set of stairs. However, the central falls can be easily seen at the start of the trail, making this one of the more accessible trails on this list.

Waterfall Trails More Than a Two-Hour Drive From Philadelphia

The following waterfall hikes are over two hours from Philadelphia. It might seem like a long drive, but four of these hikes are so close to each other that you can visit all of them at once (if you have the daylight and the energy).

Bushkill Falls is one of a few waterfall hikes on this list that charges an entry fee. The fee varies but is more expensive on the weekends, so visit during the week if you can.

However, the entry fee is worth it, as you get to hike past eight different waterfalls, including the 100-foot tall falls towards the beginning of the trails. The trails are mainly boardwalks and stairs, but the Red Trail is a mixture of dirt, rocks, and boardwalks.

Bushkill is open seasonally and generally closed from November into April. Check their website for the most updated hours.

At 130 feet, Dingmans Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania (2nd only to Raymondskill Falls, which is mentioned below).

The short .4-mile trail to the falls from the visitor’s center comprises a boardwalk, allowing full accessibility for anyone who visits. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the falls from there, or you can continue climbing up the 200+ stairs to the top.

This is a popular hike in the Delaware Water Gap, causing the parking lot to fill up quickly.

There is also a parking lot at the beginning of Dingmans Falls Road, where you can park and walk a mile up the road to the visitor center. In the winter months, you can park here to access the trail.

This .3-mile loop to Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall is a fun and short hike. However, it is not as easy at Dingsmans Falls. It is steep in sections and includes steps to both the lower and top viewing platforms.

The Raymondskill Falls trail is open year-round. However, the upper parking lot is closed from January through mid-April. You can also park at this lot for the next waterfall hike on this list, Hackers Falls.

This is another hugely popular waterfall hike near Philadelphia, so arrive early on the weekends in the summer and fall months. If you visit in the winter, be wary of ice on the stairs and viewing platforms.

Good to Know: The Raymondskill Falls Trail is accessible by shuttle bus only on weekends and holidays from 10 am to 4 pm. The parking area for the free shuttle is at the Milford Knob Trailhead/North Contact Station.

This is a beautiful waterfall hike in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area.

The Hackers Falls Trail hike is mostly easy but has steep sections that some may find more moderate. Of course, the trail leads to a beautiful waterfall with a nice open area for everyone to enjoy.

To reach Hackers Falls, park at the Raymondskill lower lot on Raymondskill Road. The trailhead is across the street. Follow Hackers Trail (yellow blaze) to the left.

Following the Cliff Trail (white blaze) to the Buchanan Trail (orange blaze), you can lengthen the trail and get beautiful views of the Deleware River, New Jersey, and New York. This will make an approximately 3-mile loop.

Hackers Falls can also be reached via the Buchanan Trail from the Cliff Park Trailhead Parking Lot off Cliff Road.

If you hike this trail, follow the Buchanan Trail (orange blaze) for about a half-mile until you reach Hackers Trail (yellow blaze) on your right. The falls will be about another .5 miles, making this a 1-mile out-and-back trail.

This waterfall hike near Philadelphia is one of the most popular hikes in the state. Depending on your chosen hike, you can see anywhere from 18-21 waterfalls on the Ricketts Glen Falls Loop!

The entire loop of the waterfall trail is 7.2 miles, starting from the parking lots on Route 118. If you start your hike at these lots, you’ll hike about 1.5 miles until you reach the start of the waterfalls.

A shorter, 3.2-mile loop is accessed from the Lake Rose parking lot or a slightly longer hike from the Beach Lot #2 Trailhead Parking.

This waterfall trail features almost 1000 feet in elevation change, making it moderate to difficult. Several staircases are featured along the route, and they can be slippery.

The waterfall loop at Ricketts Glen is open year-round, but only hikers with permits and proper gear can access the trail during the winter months.

Another accessible trail on this list, the Great Falls Overlook Trail (also known as the Olmstead Island Bridges Trail), is a .25-mile accessible trail to a prominent overlook platform.

There are several gorgeous cascades along the trail and the big waterfalls at Great Falls. You can also view these falls from the Virginia side. However, the Maryland side gets you closer to falls.

This beautiful waterfall trail is close to Washington, DC, making it a fun stop if you’re visiting for a long weekend. Several other hikes are in the park, including the challenging but fun Billy Goat Trail. You can easily do both in one visit.

To reach the trailhead, you’ll have to park at either the Great Falls parking lot (.5-mile walk to trailhead) or the Angler Inn lot (2-mile walk to trailhead) on MacArthur Blvd.

The National Park Service charges an entrance fee. However, if you have a National Park Pass, you’ll receive free entry.

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