Ricketts Glen State Park Travel Guide - Free Web & App

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Ricketts Glen State Park
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Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania, pairs 22 waterfalls, Lake Jean and rugged forest trails with camping, boating, fishing and scenic outdoor escapes.

Waterfalls and Woodland

Ricketts Glen State Park occupies more than 13,000 acres across parts of Luzerne, Sullivan and Columbia counties in north-eastern Pennsylvania. Its best-known landscape follows Kitchen Creek through steep, wooded ravines, where a chain of waterfalls descends towards Lake Jean. The park is associated with 22 named waterfalls, including Ganoga Falls, the highest at about 94 feet. The Falls Trail links many of these cascades, but its rocky, uneven terrain and changes in weather make it a demanding walk rather than a casual riverside stroll.
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Lake Jean and the Highlands

Beyond the waterfall glens, the park spreads across forested ridges and uplands shaped by streams, glacial processes and historic land use. Lake Jean provides a contrasting setting for swimming at the designated beach, boating and fishing, while Red Rock Mountain and the surrounding woodland offer quieter scenery away from the principal waterfall route. Birds, mammals and woodland plants inhabit the park, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and visitors should observe animals without approaching or feeding them.

Exploring the Park

Ricketts Glen is primarily a nature destination, with hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, camping and winter recreation available in appropriate areas and seasons. Facilities are concentrated around Lake Jean and established park-use areas, while the wider landscape remains relatively remote. Nearby settlements such as Benton, Red Rock and Dushore serve different approaches and provide limited services, so visitors benefit from planning food, fuel, maps and weather-appropriate clothing before entering the park.

When is the best time to visit Ricketts Glen State Park?

Best: June–August · 24–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January185
February275
March895
April14100
May19110
June (best)24110
July (best)26120
August (best)25115
September21105
October1595
November8100
December295

Getting to and around Ricketts Glen State Park

How to get there

Ricketts Glen State Park lies in north-eastern Pennsylvania between Wilkes-Barre, Bloomsburg and Williamsport, with approaches generally made by road. Pennsylvania Routes 118 and 487 provide access to different parts of the park, although the park itself is spread across a large rural area rather than centred on one entrance. The nearest useful communities include Benton, Red Rock and Dushore. Visitors travelling by air or long-distance rail will normally need to continue by road from a regional airport or transport hub, and public transport directly to the park is limited. Check a current state-park map and road conditions before setting out, especially in winter or after severe weather.

Transportation

A car is the most practical way to reach the park's separate recreation areas, trail access points and Lake Jean, with distances between facilities making a single walking itinerary unrealistic. Internal roads lead to established parking and recreation zones, but visitors should not assume that every waterfall or trailhead is accessible by vehicle. The Falls Trail is explored on foot and includes steep, rocky and uneven ground; suitable footwear and daylight are important. Cycling may be pleasant on appropriate public roads, but it is not a substitute for the park's principal hiking routes. Local taxi and bus coverage is limited, so independent travellers should arrange transport before arrival.

Best attractions in Ricketts Glen State Park

The Falls Trail is Ricketts Glen's defining attraction, following Kitchen Creek through a series of wooded ravines and past many of the park's named waterfalls, including Ganoga Falls, Mohawk Falls, Ozone Falls and Sheldon Reynolds Falls. The route is physically demanding, but shorter walks and other park trails provide alternatives for visitors who do not want to complete the full circuit. Lake Jean forms the recreational centre of the park, with a designated swimming beach, boating, fishing, picnic areas and camping nearby. Red Rock Mountain and the broad forested uplands offer a different experience from the crowded waterfall corridors, particularly for quiet walks and seasonal scenery. Winter visitors may find opportunities for cross-country skiing and other cold-weather recreation when conditions permit. The surrounding communities of Benton, Red Rock and Dushore are useful gateways, but their services and attractions lie outside the park itself.

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Best landmarks in Ricketts Glen State Park

Ganoga Falls is the park's most prominent natural landmark, dropping approximately 94 feet within the Kitchen Creek waterfall system. The wider sequence of cascades, including Mohawk, Ozone and Sheldon Reynolds falls, gives the ravines their distinctive identity and demonstrates how water has cut through the upland terrain. Lake Jean is the principal human-shaped landmark, a managed recreational lake surrounded by forest, beach and camping facilities. Red Rock Mountain contributes the park's highland character, while the steep glens and stream corridors form the most visually dramatic natural spaces. Historical associations with Colonel R. Bruce Ricketts and the former timber landscape add cultural significance, even though few large historic structures dominate the visitor experience. Together, the waterfalls, lake, ridges and ravines explain why this former timber estate became one of Pennsylvania's best-known state parks.

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Explore Ricketts Glen State Park on the map

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Best restaurants in Ricketts Glen State Park

Dining within Ricketts Glen State Park is limited and is oriented towards picnics, camping provisions and seasonal recreation rather than a large restaurant scene. Visitors staying in cabins or campsites often bring food with them, while nearby Benton provides a practical base for everyday meals and supplies. Dushore and other small communities around the park offer additional independently run cafés, diners, pubs and takeaway options, though availability varies and rural services may be dispersed. The wider Pennsylvania region is associated with hearty American fare, baked goods, farm produce and casual family dining rather than a narrowly defined park cuisine. Farm shops and local food businesses can be useful for provisions when open, but visitors should not assume that every rural settlement has late-opening facilities. Planning meals before a full day on the trails is particularly sensible.

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Best bars in Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park has no developed nightlife district, and evenings are generally shaped by camping, quiet woodland surroundings and the small-town hospitality of nearby communities. Benton, Dushore and other gateway settlements may have traditional pubs, taverns or casual bars where visitors can eat and have a drink, but these are local establishments rather than a concentrated entertainment scene. Live music and community events may occur seasonally, although schedules should be checked locally rather than assumed. After dark, the park is better suited to stargazing, conversation around an authorised campsite fire where permitted, or an early night before hiking. Visitors should respect quiet hours, avoid driving after drinking and remember that rural roads have limited lighting and services.

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Best nightclubs in Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park has no developed nightlife district, and evenings are generally shaped by camping, quiet woodland surroundings and the small-town hospitality of nearby communities. Benton, Dushore and other gateway settlements may have traditional pubs, taverns or casual bars where visitors can eat and have a drink, but these are local establishments rather than a concentrated entertainment scene. Live music and community events may occur seasonally, although schedules should be checked locally rather than assumed. After dark, the park is better suited to stargazing, conversation around an authorised campsite fire where permitted, or an early night before hiking. Visitors should respect quiet hours, avoid driving after drinking and remember that rural roads have limited lighting and services.

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Best shops in Ricketts Glen State Park

Shopping inside Ricketts Glen State Park is limited to practical visitor needs and any seasonal park sales or concessions that may be operating. The more useful shopping bases are the small communities around the park, particularly Benton and Dushore, where visitors can look for groceries, basic outdoor supplies and locally produced food. Regional farm shops and independent rural businesses may offer produce, baked goods, preserves, crafts or small Pennsylvania-made gifts, but opening arrangements and stock vary. Larger selections of hiking equipment, specialist outdoor clothing and general retail goods are more likely in the region's larger towns outside the immediate park area. Because trailheads and recreation areas are widely separated, it is sensible to buy fuel, food, water and essential equipment before heading into the park rather than expecting an extensive retail presence on site.

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Ricketts Glen State Park essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Card and contactless payment are commonly used in larger nearby businesses and many organised visitor services, but a remote state park should not be treated as a fully cashless environment. Cash may be useful for smaller establishments, some rural transactions or situations where connectivity is unreliable. Benton, Dushore and other surrounding communities provide more dependable access to shops and cash machines than the park's woodland areas. Visitors should obtain supplies and confirm payment arrangements before travelling to isolated trailheads or camping areas.
Safety
Ricketts Glen's principal hazards are associated with terrain and changing weather rather than urban conditions. The Falls Trail contains steep slopes, wet rocks, roots and uneven surfaces, while fast-moving water and slippery edges can become especially hazardous after rain or during freezing weather. Stay on established routes, keep away from waterfall lips and supervise children closely near streams and the lake. Weather can change quickly in the uplands, and mobile coverage may be inconsistent. Carry water, appropriate layers and navigation aids, and check current advisories before beginning a longer walk.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or medical emergencies, and give the dispatcher the park name, road or trail location, nearest facility and any visible landmark. In a large wooded park, emergency response may take time, so avoid leaving an injured person alone unless necessary and provide clear information about the route taken. A charged phone, offline map and basic first-aid supplies are sensible for longer hikes. For non-urgent help, contact park staff or Pennsylvania State Parks through current official contact information rather than relying on informal directions.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on marked trails where they are provided, respect temporary closures and keep the park free of litter. Do not climb on waterfall edges, enter restricted areas, approach wildlife or feed animals, and do not disturb plants, rocks or historic remnants. Keep dogs under control and follow current park rules for pets, camping, boating, fishing and fires. Treat streams and Lake Jean with caution and swim only in the designated area when it is operating. Drive slowly on park roads, yield to pedestrians and respect the quiet character of nearby rural communities.
Local Tips
Lake Jean is the main focus for beach, boating, fishing, camping and several visitor facilities, while the waterfall country requires a more strenuous walking itinerary. Benton is a useful approach town for provisions, although services are dispersed and should not be assumed to remain open late. Visit the waterfall area with sufficient daylight and allow extra time for photography, rests and wet ground. Autumn colour can make the forest particularly appealing, while spring rainfall may increase waterfall flow but also make paths more slippery. Always confirm current trail and facility conditions through Pennsylvania State Parks before travelling.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYep[yep]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez / no prob-lem]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dun me / mah bad]
How are you?How ya doin'?[how yah doin]
Fine. And you?Good. How 'bout yourself?[good. how 'bout yur-self]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yah speak ing-lish]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[I aint get-tin it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check out the menu, please[kan i chek out the men-yoo, please]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[I don't eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'd like to settle up, please[I'd like to set-tul up, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get a doc]
I'm lostI'm all turned around[I'm all turned around]
I'm illI ain't feelin' so good[I aint feelin so good]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[just brow-zin]
How much is it?How much?[how much]
That's too expensiveThat's steep[that's steep]
Can you lower the price?Can ya knock the price down?[can ya knock the price down]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[what's the time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Half ten[half ten]
MorningMornin'[mornin]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[evenin]
YesterdayYest'day[yest'day]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrah[tomorrah]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the]
What's the address?What's the addy?[what's the addy]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out (on the map)?[can ya point it out (on the map)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[A ticket (to ....)]

History of Ricketts Glen State Park

Glacial Ravines and Watercourses

The landscape around Ricketts Glen reflects a long geological history rather than a single human event. Streams cut through the uplands of north-eastern Pennsylvania, creating the narrow ravines and cascades for which the park is known. Later glacial activity helped shape the region's rounded ridges, depressions and drainage patterns, while erosion along Kitchen Creek produced the sequence of waterfalls now followed by the Falls Trail. These physical processes created the contrast between steep waterfall glens, forested plateaux and the basin occupied by Lake Jean.

Indigenous and Early Settlement Landscapes

The wider region was used by Indigenous peoples before European settlement, and later communities developed around farming, transport and the exploitation of the surrounding forests. As elsewhere in the Pennsylvania mountains, roads and small settlements gradually connected isolated upland areas with markets beyond them. The dense woodland that visitors see today should not be confused with an entirely untouched landscape: extensive timber cutting, charcoal production and associated industries altered large areas during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Ricketts Family and Timber Era

The park takes its name from Colonel Robert Bruce Ricketts, whose family acquired extensive land in the area during the nineteenth century. Ricketts was involved in regional timber interests and promoted the scenic value of the waterfall country, helping establish its identity as a place for recreation as well as resource extraction. The family developed facilities associated with tourism around Lake Ganoga, while logging transformed surrounding forests. Remnants of this period survive more strongly in the area's historical associations and landscape patterns than in a large collection of standing buildings.

From Private Estate to State Park

As timber operations declined and the recreational importance of the glens became clearer, conservation interests gained greater influence. Pennsylvania acquired much of the Ricketts Glen property in the early 1940s, creating the state park that visitors know today. Public ownership helped protect the waterfall corridors, lake surroundings and extensive forest from further large-scale private development. Park facilities, trails and recreation areas have since been managed within Pennsylvania's state-park system, balancing public access with the protection of steep terrain, waterways and woodland habitats.

Conservation and Modern Recreation

Modern Ricketts Glen is shaped by the continuing relationship between conservation and recreation. The Falls Trail and other paths bring visitors close to fragile streamside environments, while designated areas around Lake Jean concentrate swimming, boating, camping and picnicking. Storms, seasonal ice and erosion can affect trails and waterfalls, making ongoing maintenance and temporary access decisions part of park management. The landscape's historical transformation from timber country to protected recreation area remains central to understanding its present character.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Ricketts Glen State Park

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Discover the best of Ricketts Glen State Park with Evendo. Plan your trip effortlessly with detailed guides on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and much more—all in one free app.

  • Interactive maps and contact details
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Welcome to Ricketts Glen State Park, a nature lover's paradise in Pennsylvania. With the Evendo app, your adventure begins as soon as you start planning. This free, app-based travel guide offers everything you need to explore the park's 22 stunning waterfalls, including the famous Ganoga Falls, and countless hiking trails such as the Falls Trail.

Imagine yourself standing at the edge of Lake Jean, taking in the picturesque view, or embarking on a guided tour to learn about the park's rich history. Evendo makes it easy to find and book hotels, tours, and activities, ensuring you don't miss out on anything.

Feeling hungry after a day of exploring? Use Evendo to find the best local eateries, like Ricketts Glen Hotel Restaurant, known for its hearty meals and cozy atmosphere. Discover charming shops, vibrant bars, and more, all with detailed information, images, maps, and local tips.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay, Evendo is your ultimate guide to making the most of your trip to Ricketts Glen State Park.

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