State Park · Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania waterfall mecca: the 7.2-mile Falls Trail past 21 named waterfalls in a National Natural Landmark, plus Lake Jean, a campground, and cabins. The Falls Trail closes in winter without ice gear.
Field briefing
Ricketts Glen State Park starts with access, not mileage.
Before you go
The single most important rule: the Falls Trail is closed in winter, roughly late November to mid or late April, except for properly equipped ice climbers and hikers who sign in at the park office. In any season the rock is wet and steep, so wear real traction. When the gorge is closed, Lake Jean and the rim trails still make a trip.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Strong waterfall flow as the trail reopens, with wet, slick rock and steps.
Pack Grippy footwear, trekking poles, and a rain layer for spray.
Warm and green, with cool, shaded gorge hiking and Lake Jean swimming.
Pack Water, bug spray, and shoes that handle wet rock.
Cool, colorful, and the most popular time on the Falls Trail.
Pack Layers, traction for leaf-covered steps, and early-arrival parking.
Cold and icy; the Falls Trail is closed except to properly equipped ice hikers and climbers.
Pack Crampons or microspikes, ice axe and rope for the gorge, and a sign-in at the park office.
The Falls Trail
The signature 7.2-mile loop through the Glens Natural Area, passing 21 named waterfalls including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls. A shorter 3.2-mile option still hits most of them.
Ganoga Falls
The tallest of the 21 falls at 94 feet, the centerpiece of the Ganoga Glen branch of the loop.
Lake Jean
A 245-acre lake with a swimming beach, boat rentals, and paddling, the calm counterpoint to the demanding Falls Trail.
Check road and trail status before committing to the high-country version of the plan. For one day in Ricketts Glen State Park, make The Falls Trail the non-negotiable, add Ganoga Falls only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Lake Jean as the flexible finish.
Turn Ricketts Glen's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Ricketts Glen State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Ricketts Glen State Park packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Ricketts Glen asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
The park campground and its ten modern cabins are the natural base, booked through Pennsylvania State Parks. Benton and Red Rock are the closest small towns, with Bloomsburg about 30 minutes away offering more hotels. Camp inside the park to get on the Falls Trail early, since the lower trailhead lot on Route 118 fills on fall weekends.
Camping reservations
The campground and cabins book through Pennsylvania State Parks. The Falls Trail itself is seasonal and closes in winter to all but properly equipped ice hikers and climbers who sign in.
Reviewed June 8, 2026
Booking window
Pennsylvania state park campsites and cabins can be reserved up to 11 months in advance, with a three-day minimum lead time, online or by phone.
Where to book or verify
Official Pennsylvania DCNR page with trail status, winter rules, and facilities.
Official Pennsylvania State Parks reservation portal, or call 1-888-727-2757.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Ice climbers and hikers must sign in and out at the park office and carry crampons, ice axe, and rope.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Arrival note
Ricketts Glen sits in northeastern Pennsylvania near Benton, off Route 118 and Route 487, about 40 minutes from Bloomsburg and a bit over an hour from Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
Car strategy
A car is required.
Local movement
The Falls Trail's main lower trailhead is on Route 118, and that lot fills on fall weekends.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
No, not for general hikers. The Falls Trail is closed in winter, roughly late November to mid or late April, except for properly equipped ice climbers and hikers who carry crampons, an ice axe, and rope and sign in and out at the park office. Do not attempt it in winter without traction.
The Falls Trail passes 21 named waterfalls in the Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. The tallest is the 94-foot Ganoga Falls. A shorter 3.2-mile loop still reaches most of them.
The full Falls Trail loop is about 7.2 miles and rated most difficult, with steep, wet, stair-stepped rock. A 3.2-mile short loop is the lighter option that still includes Ganoga Falls and most of the cascades.
Not to visit for the day, and there is no entrance fee. Camping and the ten modern cabins reserve through Pennsylvania State Parks up to 11 months ahead and should be booked early for summer and fall.