F.L. Ricketts Falls
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 38 ft (11.6 m)
- Location
- Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Access status
- State park trail from Beach Lot #2
- The walk
- 1 mile to the closest waterfall (Onondaga), per DCNR; F. L. Ricketts is the next falls downstream
- Ground & access
- Rocky, wet and slippery trail with steep sections and many stone steps. DCNR says hikers should be in good physical condition and wear sturdy boots, not sneakers or sandals.
F. L. Ricketts Falls is a steep 38-foot slide in Glen Leigh, named for Frank L. Ricketts. From Beach Lot #2, follow the signs out of the lot and down the trail beside the cabin road to the top of the Glen Leigh side of the Falls Trail. Pass Onondaga Falls, the first waterfall, and continue downstream to F. L. Ricketts Falls. Return the same way, or make the 3.2-mile loop that DCNR describes with the Ganoga Glen side and the Highland Trail.
Plan your visit
Beach Lot #2 Trailhead, down the Glen Leigh side of the Falls Trail past Onondaga Falls to F. L. Ricketts Falls
DCNR gives a 1-mile hike, about 20 minutes, from Beach Lot #2 to the closest waterfall. No separate figure is published for F. L. Ricketts Falls, which Go Waterfalling lists as the second falls from the top of Glen Leigh.
Rocky, wet and slippery trail with steep sections and many stone steps. DCNR says hikers should be in good physical condition and wear sturdy boots, not sneakers or sandals.
Where to start
Beach Lot #2 Trailhead parking near Lake Jean. DCNR says to follow signs out of the lot and down the trail beside the cabin road for 0.5 miles.
Timing & water
The park is open every day, sunrise to sunset. The Falls Trail System is closed in winter except to properly equipped ice climbers and hikers who sign in with the park office.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Ricketts Glen Falls Trail System guide (PDF)
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Ricketts Glen Falls Trail System guide (PDF)
- Go Waterfalling: Ricketts Glen State Park
- Go Waterfalling: Ricketts Glen State Park
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Ricketts Glen State Park hiking
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Ricketts Glen State Park hiking
- Pennsylvania DCNR: Ricketts Glen State Park
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Onondaga FallsOfficial state park trail and parking documented15 ft (4.6 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.0 miN
- Shawnee FallsOfficial Falls Trail from Beach Lot #2; distance to this falls not givenLuzerne County, PA0.2 miS
- Huron FallsOfficial state park trail and trailhead parking documented; steep and slippery41 ft (12.5 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.2 miS
Ozone FallsOfficial Falls Trail from Beach Lot #2; distance to this falls not given60 ft (18.3 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.3 miS- R.B. Ricketts FallsOfficial state park trail and parking documented36 ft (11 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.4 miS
- B. Reynolds FallsState park trail down the Glen Leigh side of the Falls Trail40 ft (12.2 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.6 miS
- Wyandot FallsOfficial state park trail and parking documented15 ft (4.6 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.6 miS
- Erie FallsOfficial Falls Trail from Lake Rose Trailhead; distance to this falls not given47 ft (14.3 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.6 miS
- Tuscarora FallsOfficial Falls Trail from Lake Rose Trailhead; distance to this falls not given41 ft (12.5 m) · Luzerne County, PA0.7 miSW