Are there fees or permits required for Mohican Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Mohican Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Mohican Falls.

Nearby gauge (Muncy Creek) · 9 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Mohican Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Mohican Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Mohican Falls.

Pennsylvania • 39 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP · OTHS

Photo Credits (3)

Thomas James Caldwell CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

daveynin CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Jake Slagle CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

7.2 miles

Trail Type

Loop

About Mohican Falls

Mohican Falls is a 39-foot cascade tucked into Ricketts Glenn State Park and is one of the 21 named waterfalls along the park’s celebrated Falls Trail System. Nestled within the park (Land unit: Ricketts Glenn State Park; Manager: SPR), Mohican Falls is a favorite stop for hikers following the waterfall circuit—offering a photogenic drop and the quiet atmosphere of a forested gorge. The approach to Mohican Falls is rewarding but requires attention: the Falls Trail segment that serves the falls is typically hiked as an out-and-back and is rated moderate. Proper footwear and a cautious pace make this a pleasant day outing, and camping within Ricketts Glenn State Park is available nearby for those who want to extend their visit.

The Setting

Mohican Falls sits at 1,788 feet within Ricketts Glenn State Park, in the hills of Pennsylvania. The falls drop 39 feet.

Height: 39 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Ganoga Falls (94 ft) lies 0.2 miles to the northwest. Also nearby: Tuscarora Falls (47 ft, 0.2 mi) and Delaware Falls (37 ft, 0.0 mi).

Ganoga Falls Tuscarora Falls Delaware Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail surface is natural singletrack with rocky sections, exposed roots and stone steps; the grade varies with several steep stretches as you descend into and climb out of the gorge. Expect slick rock and muddy patches after wet weather, so use sturdy, grippy footwear and allow extra time for the rocky, sometimes uneven tread. Mohican Falls itself drops about 39 feet and is a common stopping point along the Falls Trail circuit (managed within Ricketts Glenn State Park, Manager: SPR).

What to Expect

The falls drop 39 feet. 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 Mohican Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Mohican Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Mohican Falls, as the water flow is typically at its peak. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter provides a unique view of frozen waterfalls, though the trail may be hazardous.

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 winter. Wear proper footwear and exercise caution on steep or rocky sections. Cell phone service may be limited in the park.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Muncy Creek, 13.3 miles away, not on Mohican Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

9 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

10 18 54 120

Based on 86 years of record

1.65 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

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

13.3 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

Low right now

9 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

9 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Low

10 cfs

4/10

Fri

Moderate

10 cfs

5/10

Sat

Low

9 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

9 cfs

5/10

Mon

Low

9 cfs

6/10

Tue

Low

9 cfs

6/10

Best window: Mon — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).

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.

Is Mohican Falls Frozen?

Updated about 4 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Mohican Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 40°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 9 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Pennsylvania.

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.

1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 171 feet through Mohican Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 39 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 1,794 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 122 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 89 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Mohican Falls near Jamison City, Pennsylvania, showing about 171 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 1,794 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 171 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Mohican Falls is located within Ricketts Glen State Park. The Falls Trail System can be accessed from the Lake Rose Trailhead or the Route 118 parking lot. Follow the Falls Trail to reach Mohican Falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Lake Rose Trailhead and the Route 118 parking lot. Both provide access to the Falls Trail System.

Elevation

1,788 feet above sea level

Coordinates

41.321667° N, -76.282778° W

Land Management

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start your hike early to avoid crowds, especially during weekends and peak seasons. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail can be slippery after rain.