While Covid has affected international travel, it has allowed me to discover more hidden gems in Pennsylvania lately!
I love a good adventure, and there are definitely more waterfalls in Pennsylvania that I could have ever realized. There is truly beauty all around us, and these are some of the best picturesque/ actually worthy waterfalls near Pittsburgh.
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Quakertown Falls
Address: 5083 W State St, Edinburg, PA 16116 (Mahoning Township)
Only about an hours journey from Pittsburgh, you can find this epic 40 ft waterfall. It may not be the deepest, but you can still spend the day taking a dip and exploring behind the falls.
getting to quakertown falls
This one was a bit tricky to find but totally worth the effort. There are no signs directing travelers here so I tried to take as many notes as possible to make it easier for travelers to find.
Only a minute from the OH/PA border off of US 224, is this scenic hidden gem. Right across from Acro Motors and diagonal from Nite Trax Bar and Grill, is a little dirt road on the left of the highway that leads you to the path. When you see a red gate with a “Notice No Trespassing” sign you have found the beginning of the path! The waterfall is not that far away from the start, just stay right on the road and follow the sound of the rushing water. Scale down the gorge and you’ll find yourself in a hidden oasis.
Big Run Falls (Cascade Park)
Cascade Park aka Big Run Falls is a former amusement park turned into this urban waterfall that is located only about an hour away from the city.
There is a viewing area right across from the parking lot that gives a full view of the beautiful 25ft waterfall. There are signs that say no swimming or jumping buuuuuut I’m never really one to follow the rules.
We decided jump off the top of the waterfall to get a little adrenaline rush. *Only jump here if you feel comfortable enough and make sure to cannonball- its not that deep (like 5 ft at most)* This was a great little escape from the city, and a wonderful place to relax at both the top and bottom of the waterfall.
getting to big run falls
This was fairly easy to find, just put Cascade Park into your GPS and it should lead you right to the parking lot. Just scale down the hill if you want to swim at the bottom of the waterfall or follow the path towards the top to swim in the little pools above!
Springfield Falls
Address: Fall Road, Mercer, PA
getting to springfield falls
Turns out this one isn’t as easy as typing in “Springfield Falls” into the GPS and going directly there, but it is close. I actually made the mistake of thinking it would just lead me there BUT you actually just type in Falls Road (off of Leesburg Station Road) and just follow that road straight until you see a little parking lot on the right that is right across from the entrance of the path.
parking lot + path entrance
You can spend some time sitting at the top of the waterfall or you can keep going and scale down the hill to refresh yourself with some cool waterfall water.
Cucumber Falls
Address: 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Only about an hour south of the city lies Ohiopyle State Park, complete with waterfalls, natural waterslides and a river for swimming and kayaking/white water rafting.
Although you may not be able to swim under Cucumber Falls, you cam swill take a nice refreshing shower underneath this 30ft waterfall. This is a worth while waterfall to visit because not only do you get to see this waterfall surrounded by yellow butterflies in the summer you can either head down to the natural water slides for some adventure or head down to the river for a swim (or even kayak!).
Jacobs Creek (Blue Hole)
Address: Chaintown Rd, Scottsdale PA 15683
The best local swimming spot near Pittsburgh to cliff jump and swim in small waterfalls.
getting to blue hole
This one was definitely hard to find in the beginning, but after I learned what road to put into the GPS it was pretty easy from there (kinda).
To get to Blue Hole, put “Chaintown Rd” into your GPS. This should lead you to a road that is next to a creek going along a bridge. There is a parking lot right next to the tracks, however this is NOT where you park (unless you want to walk an extra couple of miles). You keep driving to the end of the road until you see it come up to another parking area-just a road with a bridge right in front of you- this is where you park and hop on the train tracks. You follow the tracks for about a mile or so until you start hearing rushing water or music playing and climb down to the falls (many people come to spend the day here).
There are many places to jump here from 10ft up to 30ft jumps, just pick and GO!
Buttermilk Falls
Address: Route 18 & 1st Ave, Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
The closest waterfall to the city on this list- only a 30 minute drive north, lies this pretty 40ft waterfall called Buttermilk Falls. It’s a great place to take a natural dip close to the city with a mini hike.
You can even explore past the waterfall onto the train tracks behind to see an abandoned house!
getting to buttermilk falls
This is another super easy waterfall to find as there is literally a sign on the side of the highway that says “Buttermilk Falls Park”. Just type in “Buttermilk Falls Natural Area” to your GPS and you should be on your way up north to find this refreshing little paradise.
There are two places to park- one that is right at the beginning of the park entrance which leads you to the lower falls, and the parking lot towards the top of the hill that will lead you to the upper falls. Its only about a 5-10 minute hike to the waterfalls regardless of the path you take!
Hells Hollow, Breakneck Falls, Kildoo Falls & Alpha Falls
Address: Mcconnells Mills State Park
Mcconnells Mills State Park (only 40 minutes away) is home to natural getaways, including many hiking trails and waterfalls within this area. A great place to explore- full of swimming and scenic overlooks.
I hope you get a little taste of nature once you start exploring some of the waterfalls on this list 🙂 Tag me in your next adventure on Instagram!