Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park is a nature reserve and natural landmark in northeastern Pennsylvania, stretching across more than 5,300 hectares of land in three counties. The area includes a mountain lake, campsites, fishing spots, and an extensive network of trails, including a loop that passes a whole series of waterfalls.

A Civil War officer bought large sections of these forests around 1850 and logged trees for sale. The state acquired part of the land in 1942 and opened the park to visitors and campers.

The name recalls a former landowner and officer who once managed these forests for timber. Today families come here to swim in the lake or walk the wooded paths on weekends.

Bring solid shoes if you plan to visit the waterfalls, as the trails are rocky and can be slippery when wet. The camping area offers showers and toilets, while boat rental at the lake is available during summer.

The tallest of the waterfalls drops nearly 29 meters (94 feet) over a rock ledge, making it clearly higher than any other fall in the park. The glaciers that moved through this area thousands of years ago shaped the gorges and cliffs along which the waterfalls flow today.

Location: Columbia County

Location: Luzerne County

Location: Sullivan County

Inception: 1942

Operator: Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks

Website: https://dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RickettsGlenStatePark

GPS coordinates: 41.33919,-76.26022

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:44