There is always one person checking the foliage map like the leaves are about to post their final answer.
Relax.
If there is a waterfall at the end of the trail, autumn does not have to be perfectly on schedule.
That is what I like about these Pennsylvania hikes. Maybe the trees are already blazing. Maybe half the forest is still green.
The walk still has somewhere good to take you.
And the weather keeps changing the picture anyway. A little rain can give the falls more energy. A cool week can push the color along.
Some trails keep things easy. Others make you earn the view with a few serious steps.
Either way, I would stop worrying about catching the exact perfect weekend.
If the leaves look good and the waterfall sounds even better, I am calling that a successful fall day.
1. Ganoga Falls
At 94 feet, the tallest cascade along this celebrated glen trail makes a striking centerpiece for an autumn hike through Ricketts Glen State Park.
Water pours over a stepped rock face framed by an old-growth forest, where colorful hardwood leaves stand out beside dark hemlock branches.
The setting is part of the park’s Glens Natural Area, home to 21 waterfalls along the Falls Trail System. There is another named waterfall elsewhere in the park, bringing the total to 22. That concentration of cascades means the scenery keeps changing as you walk.
Reaching Ganoga Falls is not a simple roadside stop. The full Falls Trail loop measures 7.2 miles, with steep grades, rocky footing, and stone steps that can be slippery even on otherwise pleasant days.
Shorter routes are possible from designated trailheads, but they still require planning and suitable footwear.
Start by choosing how far you want to hike rather than trying to see every waterfall at once.
The Lake Rose trailhead provides relatively close access to the upper falls area, though its parking can be limited on busy autumn days. A park trail map helps you make a realistic plan.
Rain can change how forcefully water moves through the glen, while wet leaves make rocky surfaces harder to judge.
Stay on marked paths and avoid the edges of drops. With enough time to walk carefully, the combination of tumbling water, mossy ledges, and colorful canopy becomes the day’s main attraction.
Address: Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814.
2. Bushkill Falls
Wooden bridges and stairways give this Pocono attraction a distinctive way of showing off autumn color. Instead of viewing a single waterfall from the roadside, you move through a forested gorge where falling water appears from several different angles.
Bushkill Falls features eight waterfalls connected by four color-coded walking routes.
The Green Trail takes about 15 minutes and includes a view of the Main Falls.
The longer Red Trail reaches all eight waterfalls and requires considerably more walking and stair climbing.
The property has welcomed visitors since 1904. It remains a privately operated attraction with paid admission, rather than a public state park. Operating hours vary by season and weather, so a fall visit is best planned around the published schedule.
Your biggest decision may be how much of the gorge to explore. The shorter route provides an introduction, but a longer circuit reveals quieter sections of woodland, elevated bridges, and cascades tucked between steep rock walls.
Every route includes steps, so don’t assume the shortest choice is fully accessible to everyone.
The Main Falls drops nearly 100 feet, creating an impressive focal point amid the surrounding trees. In autumn, yellow and copper leaves provide a warm frame against the water and rock.
Wear shoes with good traction and allow time for the return climb. A slower pace makes it easier to notice the changing colors along the paths rather than concentrating only on the next waterfall.
Address: 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324.
3. Raymondskill Falls
A short trail can still feel like a mountain outing, especially when the path slopes through a hemlock ravine toward one of Pennsylvania’s tallest natural sights. At Raymondskill Falls, water descends in three tiers, with a combined drop of roughly 150 feet.
The falls are within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, near Milford.
The marked trail is approximately a third of a mile, but it includes an elevation change, roots, uneven footing, and steep sections.
Two viewing platforms provide different perspectives on the cascade.
From the upper viewing area, you can look toward the upper pool and falling water. The lower platform offers a fuller view of the rocky setting. In autumn, deciduous trees introduce gold and orange among the darker evergreens.
Go with sturdy shoes rather than judging the trail solely by its length. The ground may be slick after rain, and the viewing platforms and steps deserve careful attention. Stay on the boardwalk and established trail to protect the ravine and avoid steep drop-offs.
This is also a stop with specific visitor restrictions: pets are not permitted on the falls trail, and swimming is prohibited. Food and picnics are not allowed at the site either, so save your snack break for another location.
The upper parking lot has a seasonal winter-to-spring closure, although autumn generally offers a more straightforward visit when the trail is open. Pair the walk with time in nearby Milford for a relaxed day among the northern Pocono hills.
Address: Raymondskill Road, Milford, PA 18337.
4. Cucumber Falls
A broad sandstone ledge turns a relatively small stream into a graceful curtain of water. The drop is about 30 feet, giving the surrounding trees and rocky setting plenty of space in the scene.
You’ll find this waterfall inside Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands.
A parking area near the falls makes it possible to reach an upper viewpoint with a short walk, while steps lead toward lower views. The lower route calls for caution when the rocks and leaves are wet.
Autumn adds contrasting textures at Cucumber Falls: green hemlocks, rusty hardwood foliage, pale water, and damp stone.
On a gray day, the colors can look especially rich without bright sunlight reflecting from the water.
There is another way to reach the area on foot. The park’s Cucumber Falls Trail runs about 0.4 miles from Ohiopyle along the river through wooded terrain, although it is rated more difficult and can be affected by high water.
That makes checking conditions worthwhile before choosing the trail instead of the nearby parking area.
For a simple outing, enjoy the overlook first and decide whether the lower viewpoint looks comfortable for your group. You don’t need to scramble close to the water to appreciate the shape of the falls.
Make time for the rest of Ohiopyle, too. The park’s river scenery and nearby walking routes offer a different perspective on fall foliage. The waterfall may be the headline, but the surrounding forest supplies much of the color.
Address: Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
5. Ohiopyle Falls
Here, an entire river changes level in a single broad sweep.
The Youghiogheny pours over a wide rock ledge close to the center of town, making this an easy place to combine rushing water with a relaxed autumn visit.
The broad river ledge creates a very different picture from a narrow woodland cascade: foaming water spreads across the channel, backed by forested slopes above the gorge.
This stretch of river is one of the major scenic features of Ohiopyle State Park.
You can view the falls from developed areas near the visitor center and town. You can appreciate the scene without taking on a long hike, although individual paths and viewing locations may have different accessibility features.
After taking in Ohiopyle Falls, cool weather makes it pleasant to explore nearby streets and park paths. The Great Allegheny Passage also passes through Ohiopyle, providing an easy-grade route for walking or cycling on a former railroad corridor.
Take a little time to watch the river rather than rushing toward another stop. Differences in water level change the appearance of the ledge, and autumn foliage adds a colorful backdrop that varies with the light.
Keep the viewing experience separate from the river itself. Currents around the falls are powerful, and visitors should stay in designated public viewing areas rather than entering the water near the drop.
For a longer day, pair the falls with a meal in town and a short section of the rail trail. Few stops offer such a convenient combination of big-water scenery and a small mountain-town setting.
Address: Ohiopyle Falls, Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
6. Buttermilk Falls
A 45-foot waterfall drops from a sandstone ledge into a wooded hollow near New Florence. The name Buttermilk Falls suits the pale ribbons of moving water, especially where the stream breaks into spray over the rock.
This is Indiana County’s Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, a 48-acre property protected for its natural habitats. A small parking area, short trail, overlook, and limited picnic facilities make it appealing for travelers who prefer a compact nature stop over a full-day hike.
The setting has an unexpected connection to television history. Fred McFeely, grandfather of Fred Rogers, owned the property for part of the twentieth century, and the young Fred Rogers visited it. Traces of the former estate remain in the area.
Autumn color appears in the surrounding hardwood trees, while the rock face and darker forest floor give the waterfall contrast. Take the marked steps and viewing areas rather than looking for your own route through sensitive habitat.
A closer perspective on the lower falls may be possible when conditions and designated facilities allow it, but the stairs and platforms require caution.
The county does not clear those lower features of winter ice and snow, and wet leaves can be slippery during fall as well.
The natural area is open from morning until sunset. Pack out what you bring and keep the visit light on the landscape; its small size is part of its appeal.
Address: 570 Valley Brook Rd, New Florence, PA 15944.
7. Shohola Falls
The water below Shohola Lake tumbles over a series of uneven rock steps, creating a restless cascade framed by Pocono woodland. It is the sort of place where the sounds of the stream reach you before the best view comes into focus.
Shohola Falls lies within the Shohola Lake area of State Game Lands 180. Access is associated with the Route 6 corridor, where a parking area and informal walking paths provide opportunities to see the water from the surrounding terrain.
The landscape offers an interesting pairing: a calmer lake above and a rockier spillway and gorge below. During autumn, the contrast becomes stronger as hardwood foliage changes color around the water and along the forest edge.
This is not a developed tourist attraction with staffed facilities and uniform railings at every viewpoint. Paths and rock surfaces may be uneven, and viewing near steep edges calls for restraint. Enjoy the falls from secure ground instead of moving onto slippery ledges.
Because the property is state game land, fall visitors should pay attention to hunting-season rules and wear fluorescent orange when appropriate. The same practical caution applies to any walk beyond the immediate parking and viewing area.
If you have time, make a separate stop around Shohola Lake to appreciate the broad water and shoreline vegetation. The lake is also a recognized birdwatching area, particularly for waterfowl and occasional bald eagles.
Choose a clear day for easier footing and bring a map of the game lands. The reward is a quieter combination of woodland color, lake scenery, and cascading water without the infrastructure of a commercial park.
Address: Shohola Falls, off U.S. Route 6, Shohola, PA 18458.
8. Rainbow Falls
A stream threading through a narrow gorge creates a modest cascade in Trough Creek State Park. Its wooded setting becomes especially appealing when yellow and copper leaves gather around the rock walls.
The park lies in Huntingdon County near Raystown Lake. Trails travel through steep hillsides and a gorge carved by Great Trough Creek, with striking rock formations providing as much interest as the waterfall itself.
Rainbow Falls is located along the Balanced Rock Trail, which also leads to the park’s famous Balanced Rock, although access is currently affected by the suspension bridge closure.
That enormous boulder rests on a narrow rocky support, creating an unusual sight above the surrounding forest.
There is an important access detail: the park’s suspension bridge is temporarily closed to foot traffic. Do not plan a route that requires crossing it.
Balanced Rock remains reachable by alternate designated approaches, including from the Area 5 side along Old Forge Road and the Abbot Trail.
Check posted directions for the waterfall and current trail access before setting out.
Autumn walking here calls for sturdy footwear. The stone steps, steep slopes, and damp leaves can make a short distance feel more demanding than expected. A longer pause at a safe overlook is better than trying to rush every attraction.
The Ice Mine is another unusual feature of the park, and nearby Raystown Lake gives travelers an opportunity to extend the day. Choose an accessible trail segment that matches current closures and your comfort level.
Address: Trough Creek State Park, 16362 Little Valley Rd, James Creek, PA 16657.
9. Hawk Falls
The last stretch of a short woodland trail winds through rhododendron and mixed forest, where autumn leaves brighten the path even before the waterfall comes into view. At the end, a 25-foot cascade tumbles over rock into a streambed below.
This woodland waterfall is in Hickory Run State Park, a large public landscape in the Pocono region. The marked trail is listed as a 0.6-mile loop and rated more difficult, a useful reminder that a short distance does not automatically mean level walking.
The path to Hawk Falls includes roots and uneven terrain, and sections can remain damp under the trees.
Good traction matters, particularly when fallen leaves cover the ground. Swimming at the falls is prohibited, so this is a place to enjoy from the designated trail and viewing areas.
If you’re choosing between a brief woodland walk and a longer park visit, consider pairing the waterfall with Boulder Field. That immense expanse of stones is a National Natural Landmark and offers a startling contrast to the forested ravine around the falls.
The two stops show different sides of the park’s landscape. At Hawk Falls, moving water and leafy branches draw your attention into a relatively close scene. At Boulder Field, the broad rocky surface creates a much more open view.
Allow time for both if conditions permit, but don’t underestimate the footing at the waterfall. On an autumn day, a comfortable pace and a little extra attention to the trail make the outing more enjoyable.
Address: Hawk Falls, Hickory Run State Park, 3 Family Camp Rd, White Haven, PA 18661.
10. Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls
Old stonework near a wooded waterfall gives this western Pennsylvania stop an unusual sense of place. Long before today’s park trails, the mineral springs drew visitors to a resort whose remains are still visible in the forest.
Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls sits within Raccoon Creek State Park. The springs and waterfall area preserve traces of a nineteenth-century resort, including stone features that hint at an earlier era of travel and leisure.
The water passes over a rocky ledge into a small hollow, creating a gentler scene than the broad river falls elsewhere in the state. Autumn hardwoods provide the color, with patches of yellow, rust, and orange appearing among the surrounding trees.
The park’s Heritage Trail follows historic routes through parts of the property, including the old mineral springs area.
Routes vary in length and difficulty, so choose a trail approach based on the current park map rather than assuming the springs are beside the main lake parking area.
There is no need to approach the pool or old structures closely. Staying on designated paths protects both the landscape and the fragile reminders of the former resort.
For a more leisurely day, pair this historic waterfall stop with other parts of Raccoon Creek State Park. The lake, wooded trails, and broad park landscape offer opportunities to see foliage in several settings without traveling to another county.
Bring water for the walk and consider how quickly daylight fades under the trees later in autumn. Here, the quieter cascade and the resort history reward an unhurried visit.
Address: Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 State Route 18, Hookstown, PA 15050.