Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Are you looking for something a little more magical than your average waterfall? You’ve come to the perfect place!
I absolutely love waterfalls and if there is one thing that makes them even better, it’s when you can walk behind them.
Pennsylvania is home to a handful of gorgeous waterfalls you can actually walk behind, stepping right into the space between the rock and the falling water. It feels wonderfully cinematic, and it’s such a fun thing to do.
This road trip starts in Pittsburgh and loops through western Pennsylvania before heading northeast, covering around 550 miles and taking in 8 of the best walk-behind falls in the state.
That being said, it could be started from many other locations including Philadelphia if you do it the other way round.
🚗 Good to know: A car is essential for this one, and a few of these falls are down gravel roads. If you need to hire a car, I recommend Discover Cars, because I always find great deals and you can compare all the companies in one place.
🥾 Footwear: The rocks behind waterfalls get very slippery, so wear proper shoes with good grip and always take care.
🥛 1. Buttermilk Falls, Indiana County
🥾 Access: short walk and steps – 15 to 20 minutes – Easy – Trail info
First up is Buttermilk Falls in Indiana County.
This lovely 45-foot waterfall had a steel staircase and walkway added in 2017 that takes you safely down and right behind the veil of the falls, so almost anyone who can manage stairs can enjoy the walk-behind experience.
The land was once owned by Fred McFeely, the grandfather of Fred Rogers, better known as TV’s Mister Rogers, who spent happy childhood days here.
Drive to Adam Falls: about 45 minutes (35 miles)
🌲 2. Adam Falls, Linn Run State Park
🥾 Hike: ~2.1 km loop – 30 to 45 minutes – Moderate – Trail info
Next, head into the Laurel Highlands to Linn Run State Park to discover the beautiful Adam Falls.
This 15-foot waterfall is set in the middle of rhododendrons and hemlocks which makes it very pretty.
You can easily reach it as the loop trail is only 1.3-mile long.
Drive to Cucumber Falls: about 45 minutes (30 miles)
🥒 3. Cucumber Falls, Ohiopyle State Park
🥾 Hike: 0.5 km but with steep steps – 15 minutes – Moderate – Trail Info
Cucumber Falls, in the beautiful Ohiopyle State Park, is one of the most popular walk-behind falls in the state.
This 30-foot plunge waterfall drops from an overhanging ledge, so you can walk right behind the curtain of water. It’s easy to reach and utterly photogenic.
While you’re here, the rest of Ohiopyle State Park is well worth exploring too, with the Youghiogheny River, biking and more.
Drive to Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls: about 2 hours (100 miles), back west past Pittsburgh
⛲ 4. Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls, Raccoon Creek State Park
🥾 Hike: 1.2 km – 30 minutes – Easy – Trail info
Next, head to Raccoon Creek State Park where you’ll find the Frankfort Mineral Springs Falls.
The water drops over a curved limestone ledge that has carved out a shallow cave behind it, so you can step right in and stand directly behind the curtain.
It’s a genuinely magical spot, and it sits beside the historic ruins of a 19th-century mineral springs resort.
Drive to Buttermilk Falls (Beaver County): about 30 minutes (20 miles)
🥛 5. Buttermilk Falls, Beaver County
🥾 Access: short, easy walk – 10 minutes – Easy – Trail info
Also in Beaver County is another Buttermilk Falls (I know, there are loads in Pennsylvania but you can’t walk behind all of them).
This one is located in a park which sits right off Route 18, just a short walk from the road. It’s an easy, quick stop with a lovely payoff.
Drive to Kildoo Falls: about 30 minutes (20 miles)
🪨 6. Kildoo Falls, McConnells Mill State Park
🥾 Hike: 4.8 km – 1. Hours – Moderate – Trail info
Next stop is another state park, McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County.
Located just below Kildoo Bridge, Kildoo Falls is a 12-foot waterfall with a rock overhang.
Note it flows best after plenty of rain, so time your visit accordingly. The Slippery Rock Creek gorge here is gorgeous too and you can see it on the same walk.
It’s always great to hit two birds with one stone.
Drive to Round Island Run Falls: about 3 hours (160 miles) northeast
🔄 7. Round Island Run Falls, Sproul State Forest
🥾 Hike: ~3 km – moderate, 1 to 1.5 hours – Trail info
Deep in the remote Sproul State Forest in Clinton County, Round Island Run Falls is a bit more of a hidden gem.
Also known as “Three Falls” for its three drops, its uppermost tier flows over an overhang you can actually walk behind, which is magical in such a wild setting.
It’s a moderate hike in a truly off-the-beaten-path corner of Pennsylvania, so come prepared.
Drive to B. Reynolds Falls: about 2 hours (100 miles) east
📸 8. B. Reynolds Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park
🥾 Hike: part of the Falls Trail – allow a couple of hours – 10 km – Hard – Trail info
Finish at the famous Ricketts Glen State Park, home to more than two dozen waterfalls along the legendary Falls Trail.
B. Reynolds Falls, in the Glen Leigh section, is the one waterfall in the park you can easily walk behind. The Falls Trail leads right to the side of it, and within a few steps you’re tucked under the overhang behind the veil.
It’s a spectacular finale, and the perfect excuse to hike more of Ricketts Glen’s incredible Falls Trail while you’re there.
🗺️ Map of this Pennsylvania Walk-Behind Waterfalls Road Trip
💡 A few practical tips
- The rocks behind waterfalls are extremely slippery, so wear proper footwear and move carefully.
- Several of these falls (especially Kildoo and Round Island Run) flow best after rain, so time your trip accordingly.
- Some falls are in remote state forests down gravel roads with little phone signal, so come prepared.
- Spring and early summer bring the most powerful flow, and always check park access and parking before you go.
🔗 You May Also Be Interested In:
