Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. This large park is comprised of 13,050 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia counties.

Ricketts Glen harbors the Glens Natural Area -- a National Natural Landmark. Hike the Falls Trail System to explore the glens, which boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, each cascading through rock-strewn clefts in this ancient hillside.

The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the beauty.

Hiking at Ricketts Glen State Park

26 miles of trails

Trails vary from fairly level to very steep hills.

The 26 miles of trails are a prime attraction of the park.

CAUTION: Hikers on the Falls Trail should be in good physical condition, wear sturdy boots, and use caution due to slippery/wet conditions and steep trail sections.

Falls Trail
7.2 miles, most difficult hiking

The full loop of this trail is 7.2 miles if hiking both the upper and lower sections. To see most of the waterfalls, a 3.2-mile loop can be taken by going on Highland Trail and the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the trail. The trails follow along 21 beautiful waterfalls ranging in heights from 11 feet to 94 feet.

The scenery is well worth the effort; however, the terrain is rocky, can be slippery, and descends steeply on both the Ganoga and Glen Leigh sides. Hikers should take extra precautions with trail conditions, wear proper footwear, stay on the trail, and be in good physical condition.

The Falls Trail is closed in the winter except for properly equipped ice climbers and hikers.

Beach Trail
0.8-mile, easiest hiking

Campers in both camping areas can access the Lake Jean day-use and swimming areas without having to travel on a road.

Cherry Run Trail
4.6 miles, more difficult hiking

Near the Lake Leigh dam is access to Cherry Run Trail, where hikers will pass through groves of cherry trees and view evidence of the old logging railroads that passed through this area more than 100 years ago. Hikers can connect to Mountain Springs Trail by walking 3.5 miles on Mountain Springs Road.

Little Cherry Run Trail
1 mile, more difficult hiking

This connector between Mountain Springs and Cherry Run trails travels along a small picturesque stream, making a great loop for day hiking.

Evergreen Trail
1 mile, easiest hiking

Self-guiding tours take visitors into old growth forest, one of the few stands remaining in all of Pennsylvania. Hikers can see a hemlock that stood on this continent before Columbus. This is an easy, one-mile hike into the past.

Grand View Trail
1.9 miles, more difficult hiking

This trail takes hikers to the highest point on Red Rock Mountain (elevation 2,449 ft). During mid-June, the beautiful mountain laurel is in bloom. In mid-July, the high bush blueberries bear fruit, and during the fall, there are awe inspiring views of the fall foliage encompassing the surrounding hillsides, making this trail a pleasant hike at any time of the year.

Highland Trail
1.2-miles, more difficult hiking

The trail cuts across the top of the Falls Trail System and crosses through Midway Crevasse, a narrow passageway between large blocks of Pocono sandstone conglomerates that were deposited throughout this area by glacial movements. At least three times in the last one million years, continental glaciers buried this land under hundreds of feet of ice. This trail makes an excellent area for geological study groups.

Mountain Springs Trail
4 miles, more difficult hiking

Heading off of the beaten path, this trail takes hikers on a four-mile hike past the old Lake Leigh Dam and down the south branch of Bowmans Creek to the former Mountain Springs Lake, which is now a dry lake bed. Hikers can connect to Cherry Run Trail by walking 3.5 miles on Mountain Springs Road.

Old Beaver Dam Road Trail
4 miles, more difficult hiking

Named for the old beaver dam, which can be seen just off the trail, this trail makes an excellent loop trail for hikers and cross-country skiers. It also brushes up next to Ganoga Falls, which can be accessed by using a short connector trail. Although the connector is easy to moderate hiking, use caution where it meets the Falls Trail System due to the switchbacks and drop-offs. Access is from a small pull-off of PA 487, or from the Lake Rose parking lot.

Old Bulldozer Road Trail
2.9 miles, most difficult hiking

With its unique name (once used by a bulldozer to get to the top of the mountain to build the park), comes quite an elevation change. Accessed from the parking lot on PA 118, this trail is used by hikers and snowmobilers to access Mountain Springs Trail. Although most of the trail is easy to moderate hiking, a short section just up from the bottom is very steep.

The Bear Walk Trail
1 mile, easiest hiking

Walk the trail of the bears -- this short trail accesses other trails for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking. It runs from the entrance of the cabin area to Lake Rose.

Picnicking at Ricketts Glen State Park

Picnic facilities are located in the Lake Jean area and in the lower area off PA 118. A limited number of charcoal grills and hot charcoal disposals are located in the picnic areas.

Stay the Night at Ricketts Glen State Park

Camping

flush toilets, warm showers

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Six campsites are ADA accessible.
There are 120 tent and trailer campsites. The campground opens in April and closes in December.

The campground features:

Hot showers
Flush toilets
Shaded sites
Gravel parking spurs
Sanitary dump station
Pets are permitted at designated sites for a fee.

Swimming at Ricketts Glen State Park

The 600-foot beach is open from late-May to mid-September, from 8:00 A.M. until sunset.

A food and refreshment concession, boat rental, and picnic facilities are nearby.

Swim at your own risk.

Please follow posted rules and regulations.

Swimming is permitted inside of the designated area only.

Smoke-Free Beach
Smoking is prohibited on the beach and in the swimming area. For visitors who smoke and still want to use the beach, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes:

Cigarettes
Pipes
Cigars
E-cigarettes
Other handheld, lighted smoking devices

Wildlife Watching at Ricketts Glen State Park

Birding

Ricketts Glen is famous for its exceptional diversity of bird life, from 23 varieties of warblers to bald eagles, which is to why the park has been included in the official Audubon Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trai across Pennsylvania.

This series of trails connects some of Pennsylvania’s finest birding and wildlife viewing sites, as well as important historical and natural areas.

The Bear Truths

Many Pennsylvania state parks are habitat for black bears. Although they appear cute and cuddly like a teddy bear, black bears are wild animals. A black bear can scramble up a tree like a raccoon and sprint as fast as a race horse. Bears use their claws to tear apart rotting logs to find food, and those claws also work well to open garbage cans and coolers. The size and strength of a black bear are astonishing.

Black bears have poor eyesight and fair hearing, but an excellent sense of smell. Aromatic scents coming from your personal items can attract a curious and hungry bear from a great distance. Bears are attracted to the smell of toothpaste, deodorants, air fresheners, food, and even the clothes worn while cooking.

Store all items inside a vehicle. At primitive, walk-in campsites, suspend food between two trees, 10 feet in the air, and three feet from either tree.

Black bears normally avoid people, but bears dependent on eating human food can become aggressive when people get between them and food.

If you come in contact with a black bear, try chasing it away by making loud noises like yelling, honking a car horn, or banging a pot. Notify a park employee if you have difficulties with bears.

Never approach a bear and be especially wary of mother bears and cubs.

Boating at Ricketts Glen State Park

electric motors only

The 245-acre Lake Jean has dry mooring and two boat launches.

Fishing at Ricketts Glen State Park

The 245-acre Lake Jean has warmwater:

Game fish
Panfish
Trout
Fishing is prohibited in the Glens Natural Area.

Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is permitted on the natural ice of the lake.

Ice thickness is not monitored.

Hunting at Ricketts Glen State Park

During established seasons, about 10,144 acres are open to:

Hunting
Trapping
Training of dogs
Common game species are:

Deer
Turkey
Grouse
Bear
Coyote
Pheasant
Squirrel
Common furbearers are:

Raccoon
Mink
Muskrat
Beaver
Coyote
Bobcat
Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

Horseback Riding at Ricketts Glen State Park

12.5-mile loop

Equestrian riders may enjoy taking a 12.5-mile loop by riding:

Cherry Run Trail
Mountain Springs Road
Mountain Springs Trail
Sights to see include:

Old railroad grades
Dry lake bed of Mountain Springs Lake (formerly used to make ice)
Old concrete dam once used to hold back Lake Leigh (now a dry lake)
Riders must bring their own mounts.

Horses cannot be rented.

Cherry Run Trail
4.6 miles

Near the Lake Leigh dam is access to Cherry Run Trail, where riders will pass through groves of cherry trees and view evidence of the old logging railroads that passed through this area more than 100 years ago. Riders can connect to Mountain Springs Trail by traveling 3.5 miles on Mountain Springs Road.

Mountain Springs Trail
4 miles

Heading off of the beaten path, this trail takes riders on a four-mile hike past the old Lake Leigh Dam and down the south branch of Bowmans Creek to the former Mountain Springs Lake, which is now a dry lake bed. Riders can connect to Cherry Run Trail by traveling 3.5 miles on Mountain Springs Road.

Cross-country Skiing at Ricketts Glen State Park

Hiking trails may be skied when snow cover permits.

Snowmobiling at Ricketts Glen State Park

Many trails allow snowmobiles after the end of deer hunting when conditions permit.