The Grotto
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
About The Grotto
The Grotto is a small falls named on USGS maps in the Cresheim Valley of Philadelphia, part of the Wissahickon Valley Park system, beside Cresheim Valley Drive across from Navajo Street. The Cresheim Trail passes beneath a stony outcrop here, where volunteers have built a bench. Flow is small and depends on recent rain.
The Setting
The Grotto sits at 279 feet within Wissahickon Valley, in the coastal lowlands of Pennsylvania.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The Cresheim Trail runs through Cresheim Valley in Fairmount Park and passes the Grotto above Cresheim Valley Drive. Its main trailhead is at Allens Lane and Lincoln Drive, with more entrances on the north side of Cresheim Road and at Emlen Street. Expect a natural-surface footpath with roots and rocks.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at The Grotto?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs must be leashed in Philadelphia parks, including Wissahickon Valley Park.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at The Grotto?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically stronger due to seasonal rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Exercise caution on wet or slippery rocks near the waterfall. Be aware of ticks and other insects in the area. Always stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Wissahickon Creek, 3.5 miles away, not on The Grotto's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
48 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 61 years of record
2.33 ft
Water depth at gauge
52°F
ColdBracing — limit time in water
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 52 degrees F, limit your time in the water. Expect crystal clear visibility and excellent dissolved oxygen levels. PH is normal at 8.4 and mineral content is elevated.
Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen
ExcellentSupports aquatic life
pH
NormalWithin healthy range (6.5-8.5)
Water Clarity
Crystal clearExcellent visibility
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Wissahickon Creek at Mouth, Philadelphia, PA (6 km away).
Today
Low
54 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
60 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
55 cfs
6/10Sun
Barely Flowing
46 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
50 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
51 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
51 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in March.
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 Wyndmoor hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is The Grotto Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
The Grotto is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 65°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 49 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 51 feet through The Grotto over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 280 feet.
The ground changes about 37 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 48 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 280 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 51 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Grotto is in Philadelphia's Cresheim Valley on Cresheim Valley Drive, across from Navajo Street, between Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill. Walk in on the Cresheim Trail from the trailhead at Allens Lane and Lincoln Drive or from the Cresheim Road entrances.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is no dedicated lot for the Grotto. Use legal street parking near the Cresheim Trail entrances.
Hours
Elevation
279 feet above sea level
Coordinates
40.065111° N, -75.197955° W
Land Management
Managed by CNTY
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be uneven or muddy, especially after rain. Bring insect repellent during warmer months. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ft. Washington - Philadelphia by IHG
Hampton Inn Plymouth Meeting
Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia-Fort Washington
Hampton Inn Philadelphia/Willow Grove
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Devil's Pool, where Cresheim Creek meets Wissahickon Creek, and Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon are nearby in Wissahickon Valley Park.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors may also see a variety of native plants and wildflowers.
Cities near The Grotto
Nearby Waterfalls
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