Alpha Falls
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
- Access status
- Park trail and stairs, then a short unmarked spur to the base
- The walk
- Short walk with stairs; about 90 to 100 yards on the spur after the stairs
- Ground & access
- Switchbacks and wooden staircases down a cliff, then a short unblazed path with a small footbridge. Rocks can be slippery or icy.
Alpha Falls is a seasonal waterfall on a small unnamed stream that drops off the east side of Slippery Rock Creek gorge in the northeast corner of McConnells Mill State Park. From the left side of the small parking lot, follow the blue-blazed Alpha Pass Trail, which is also the North Country Trail, down switchbacks and two staircases. At the bottom of the second staircase, where the railing opens at the foot of the cliff, take the obvious but unblazed spur to the right. It crosses a small footbridge and reaches the base of the falls. Return the same way. The falls can also be reached on the Alpha Pass Trail along Slippery Rock Creek from the covered bridge area.
Plan your visit
Small parking lot on McConnells Mill Road, down the Alpha Pass Trail (North Country Trail) steps, then a short unmarked spur to the base of Alpha Falls
PA Bucket List gives about 90 yards on the unblazed spur from the bottom of the second staircase. Uncovering PA gives less than 100 yards. No total distance from the car is given.
Switchbacks and wooden staircases down a cliff, then a short unblazed path with a small footbridge. Rocks can be slippery or icy.
Where to start
Small lot on the right side of McConnells Mill Road, 0.5 mile after turning off Route 422. Published parking coordinates: 40.96028, -80.16883. DCNR lists non-flush restrooms at the Point Parking Area on the same trail.
Timing & water
The stream is small and the falls are often dry. They flow best in spring or after rain. Ice forms on the falls and trail in winter.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- PA Bucket List: Exploring Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
- PA Bucket List: Exploring Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
- PA Bucket List: Exploring Alpha Falls at McConnells Mill State Park
- Uncovering PA: How to Get to Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill State Park
- Uncovering PA: How to Get to Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill State Park
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Hiking at McConnells Mill State Park
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Kildoo FallsOfficial state park trail and parking area documentedLawrence County, PA0.7 miS
- Breakneck FallsOfficial state park trail to the base of the falls16 ft (5 m) · Lawrence County, PA1.7 miS
- Hells Hollow FallsEasy official trail from the Hells Hollow parking lotLawrence County, PA3.9 miSW
- Springfield FallsGame lands roadside falls with parking documented20 ft (6 m) · Mercer County, PA13 miN
Homewood FallsShort trail with stairs from the natural area parking lot30 ft (9 m) · Beaver County, PA13 miSW- Quakertown FallsCounty park trail, bridge and accessible viewing platforms49 ft (15 m) · Lawrence County, PA18 miW
- Snake Run10 ft (3 m) · Beaver County, PA19 miS
- Upper Sheepskin Hollow Falls15 ft (4.6 m) · Columbiana County, OH24 miSW
- Lower Sheepskin Hollow FallsPartial guide: no trail or parking area; route uses an old rail bed of unstated ownership and a creek walk15 ft (4.6 m) · Columbiana County, OH24 miSW