A Waterfall-Filled Day at Ricketts Glen State Park

At Ricketts Glen State Park, the walk has a pleasing habit of stopping you. A new cascade appears around a bend, water slips over a rock shelf beside the trail, or a larger fall gives you reason to settle on a nearby rock and listen for a while.

The park’s Falls Trail passes more than 20 waterfalls through dense woods, following creeks and streams that keep the landscape green, damp and lively. This is not a hike built around one grand overlook and a quick return to the car. It is a succession of water, stone, steps and small discoveries.

The waterfalls have their own names, which helps the route unfold as a series of landmarks rather than one long blur of woodland scenery. Their shapes vary, too: some are broad and layered, some narrow and rushing, some framed tightly by rock and trees. There is plenty of reason to pause between trail junctions.

Close-up views are a major pleasure here. Much of the route runs alongside the water, and several falls can be seen from nearby viewpoints where the sound of the creek becomes the whole soundtrack for a few minutes.

Bring a camera if you like, but the frequent stops are not only for photographs. A larger fall can hold attention longer than expected, especially when you have been climbing through the woods and suddenly come upon a cool, rushing pocket of water.

Recent rain can give the waterfalls extra force, though it also changes the footing. Wet rock, mist near the falls, muddy patches and swollen little streams all make the route more demanding when conditions are damp.

The Falls Trail is scenic, but it is not a casual paved stroll. Expect numerous stone steps, uneven rocky sections, climbs and descents that can add up over several hours. The terrain changes character as you go, alternating between easier wooded stretches and sections that require more attention to each step.

Sturdy hiking shoes with reliable traction matter here. Hiking poles or a walking stick can also be useful on rocky stairs and sustained grades, particularly when the surface is wet.

Some stair sections do not have railings, so secure footing is important. Dogs can join hikers on the trails and in the campground areas, but the steep steps and exposed edges call for a dog that is reliably leash trained and easy to manage.

A roughly 3.2-mile Falls Trail loop has been completed by families with young children, with plenty of breaks along the way. Still, the distance alone does not tell the whole story. Hundreds of steps, photo stops and changes in elevation can turn a modest mileage count into a several-hour outing.

The park offers longer waterfall loops as well as shorter out-and-back walks to selected falls. That flexibility is useful for visitors who want a concentrated waterfall visit without committing to every rugged section of the larger route.

Starting point matters. Lake Rose, Route 118, Evergreen and beach-area parking have all been used for access, and they can produce very different total distances. The Route 118 approach, in particular, can add substantial mileage compared with trailheads closer to other portions of the Falls Trail.

At the Waters Meet junction, the Glen Leigh branch is known for a more gradual ascent than the Ganoga Glen branch. Some hikers use that contrast to build a loop with a tougher section in one direction and a more manageable return route toward the car.

A trail map is worth studying before setting out, especially because cell reception can be limited or absent in parts of the park. Saving a map or trail guide ahead of time keeps the planning simple once you are among the trees.

A waterfall hike here can easily fill about four hours when you stop often, take breaks on the climbs and spend time at the cascades. Carrying plenty of water is sensible, and a slower pace suits the trail better than trying to treat it as a quick fitness loop.

Early arrivals may find parking easier and encounter quieter trails. It also gives the day room to expand beyond the hike, which is one of the park’s advantages.

Restroom availability should not be assumed throughout a long hike. A bathroom has been noted at one trailhead, but facilities can be limited once you are deep into the waterfall route.

After several hours of steps and creekside walking, the broader park offers a different pace. There are additional trails, picnic areas, fishing waters, boating opportunities and a beach and swimming area.

The beach area includes picnic spaces with grilling stations, making it a natural spot to extend the day after the hike. A food stand is also available in the larger recreation area, useful when packing a full picnic did not happen.

Boating and boat rentals offer a quieter way to spend time on the water, while fishing provides another reason to linger. The mix works well for groups in which not everyone wants to take on the same long waterfall route.

For an overnight visit, the campground adds a more settled version of the park. Sites are wooded, spacious and separated enough to offer a welcome degree of privacy rather than a row of tightly packed tents and campers.

Campers have access to picnic tables and fire pits, with potable water nearby. Bathroom and shower facilities are kept clean, and the grounds, picnic spaces and campground areas are generally well maintained.

In some camping areas, a nearby creek can be heard at night. The beach is also a short walk from at least one campground area, so a weekend can move easily between the Falls Trail, a swim, a picnic meal and an evening by the fire.

Park rangers are helpful, and campground patrols enforce quiet-time and other camp rules. Dogs are permitted in campground areas, though they are not allowed at the beach.