Are there fees or permits required for Conestoga Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Conestoga Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Conestoga Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Conestoga Falls.

Live Conditions · 13 ft³/s · About average

Conestoga Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Conestoga Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Conestoga Falls.

Pennsylvania

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP · OTHS

Photo Credits (5)

User:Ruhrfisch CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Doug Kerr CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

7.2 miles

Trail Type

Loop

About Conestoga Falls

Conestoga Falls is a gentle, scenic cascade tucked into Ricketts Glen State Park and is part of the park’s celebrated Falls Trail System, which features 21 named waterfalls. Though one of the smaller drops in the series, Conestoga Falls is prized for its lush, forested setting and quieter character compared with some of the park’s larger cascades. The site sits on land owned by OTHS within Ricketts Glen State Park (designation: SP) and is managed by SPR.

The Setting

Conestoga Falls sits at 1,755 feet within Ricketts Glenn State Park, fed by the Muncy Creek, in the hills of Pennsylvania.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Tuscarora Falls (47 ft) lies 0.1 miles to the east. Also nearby: Erie Falls (47 ft, 0.2 mi) and Mohican Falls (39 ft, 0.1 mi).

Tuscarora Falls Erie Falls Mohican Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Access to Conestoga Falls is via the Falls Trail System: an out-and-back route totaling about 2.4 miles with roughly 350 feet of elevation gain. The hike is rated moderate overall; hikers should expect rocky, uneven footing and some steep sections, so sturdy footwear and careful footing are recommended. The out-and-back layout makes it easy to visit Conestoga Falls as part of a longer waterfall loop or as a quieter stop on the full Falls Trail circuit.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Conestoga Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Conestoga Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the waterfalls are typically at their fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

The trail can be slippery, especially after rain or during icy conditions. Exercise caution and avoid hiking alone. Cell phone service may be limited in the park.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Strong

13 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

3 5 29 70

Based on 86 years of record

1.75 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Muncy Creek near Sonestown, PA

USGS 01552500

13.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 24 sq mi

Altitude: 1,025 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Muncy Creek near Sonestown, PA (21 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

13 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Strong

13 cfs

10/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

13 cfs

6/10

Wed

Strong

15 cfs

10/10

Thu

Roaring

14 cfs

6/10

Fri

Strong

15 cfs

10/10

Sat

Strong

14 cfs

10/10

Sun

Strong

16 cfs

10/10

Best window: Today — strong flow, mostly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to early May, peaking in April.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Jamison City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 189 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,782 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 260 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 174 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Conestoga Falls near Jamison City, Pennsylvania, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Conestoga Falls near Jamison City, Pennsylvania, showing about 189 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,782 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 189 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Conestoga Falls is located within Ricketts Glen State Park. The Falls Trail System can be accessed from the Lake Rose Trailhead or the Route 118 Trailhead. Follow the trail markers to reach the waterfall.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Lake Rose Trailhead and the Route 118 Trailhead. Both parking areas are free but can fill up quickly during peak seasons.

Elevation

1,755 feet above sea level

Coordinates

41.321389° N, -76.281667° W

Land Management

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start your hike early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight to complete the trail. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Be cautious on wet or icy sections of the trail, especially in spring and fall.