Ganoga Falls

Ganoga Falls is the tallest waterfall in Ricketts Glen State Park and one of the tallest in Pennsylvania at 94 feet, a single powerful plunge over a ledge of red sandstone into a deep, spray-filled basin. The falls are the crown jewel of the park's legendary Falls Trail, which passes 21 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek through a primeval old-growth hemlock forest. The distinctive red sandstone — part of the Catskill Formation — gives Ganoga Falls and the entire glen system a warm, amber character unique among eastern waterfalls.

Ganoga Falls is located on the Falls Trail loop, a 7.2-mile circuit that descends through Ganoga Glen and Glen Leigh, connected by the Highland Trail. The falls sit roughly at the midpoint of the Ganoga Glen branch. The trail is well-maintained but challenging, with dozens of stone staircases, stream crossings, and steep descents alongside the waterfalls. The 3.2-mile shortcut loop via the Highland Trail visits fewer falls but still includes Ganoga. Each of the 21 waterfalls has its own personality, from the delicate 36-foot Sheldon Reynolds Falls to the photogenic 27-foot Harrison Wright Falls.

Late spring offers peak water flow, while fall foliage in October turns the hemlock and hardwood canopy into a spectacle of color. The Falls Trail is extremely popular and the parking lot fills early on summer and fall weekends — arrive before 8 AM. The trail is closed in winter due to ice on the stone steps. Camping is available in the park, and nearby Lake Jean offers swimming and boating.