Are there fees or permits required for Onondaga Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Onondaga Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Onondaga Falls.

Live Conditions · 13 ft³/s · About average

Onondaga Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Onondaga Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Onondaga Falls.

Pennsylvania • 15 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP · OTHS

Photo Credits (4)

daveynin CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Bold Frontiers CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

daveynin CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

pecooper98362 CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

7.2 miles

Trail Type

Loop

About Onondaga Falls

Onondaga Falls is a charming 15-foot cascade tucked into the lush setting of Ricketts Glen State Park. It’s one of the 21 named waterfalls along the park’s celebrated Falls Trail, making it a popular photo stop and scenic highlight for visitors exploring the series of drops that define this park. The falls sit on land owned by OTHS and are managed as Ricketts Glen State Park (designation: SP) by SPR. Accessible from the Falls Trail, Onondaga Falls rewards hikers with a compact but photogenic display of falling water framed by the park’s forested ravines. Because it’s part of the connected waterfall corridor, this stop pairs well with a longer hike through Ricketts Glen for anyone who enjoys consecutive cascades and classic northeastern Pennsylvania forest scenery.

The Setting

Onondaga Falls sits at 2,077 feet within Ricketts Glenn State Park, fed by the Muncy Creek, in the hills of Pennsylvania. The falls drop 15 feet.

Height: 15 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Huron Falls (41 ft) lies 0.3 miles to the south. Also nearby: F L Ricketts Falls (38 ft, 0.1 mi) and R B Ricketts Falls (36 ft, 0.5 mi).

Huron Falls F L Ricketts Falls R B Ricketts Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Falls Trail (out-and-back) is a 2.4-mile route with roughly 350 feet of elevation gain and is rated moderate; it passes 21 named waterfalls including the 15-foot Onondaga Falls. The trail type is out-and-back and the listed difficulty is moderate (trail length: 2.4 miles, elevation gain: 350 feet). Surface, grade, and technical class information are not provided in the available data; hikers should prepare for a moderate woodland trail and consult park maps or rangers at Ricketts Glen State Park for current conditions.

What to Expect

The falls drop a gentle 15 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 Onondaga Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Onondaga Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfalls are typically at their fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.

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. Exercise caution near the edges of the waterfalls and avoid hiking during inclement weather. Cell phone service may be limited in the area.

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

13.6 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 (22 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.

1-meter lidar measures about 78 feet of descent through Onondaga Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 15 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 2,079 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 40 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 107 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Onondaga Falls near Jamison City, Pennsylvania, showing about 78 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 2,079 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 78 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

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

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Lake Rose Trailhead and the Route 118 parking area. Both are popular starting points for the Falls Trail.

Elevation

2,077 feet above sea level

Coordinates

41.331191° N, -76.273824° W

Land Management

Ricketts Glenn State Park SP

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction, as the trail can be slippery, especially after rain. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and start your hike early to avoid crowds. Be prepared for steep and rocky sections along the trail.