5 Beautiful Waterfalls near Pittsburgh

Ever since living in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina (2 areas loaded with easy access to beautiful waterfalls), I have been seeking out great falls no matter where I live or travel. While Pennsylvania is not exactly a hotspot, there are a few breathtaking natural wonders I’ve explored in the western portion of the state. The 2 tallest in the state (Dingmans at 130 ft and Raymondskill at 178 ft) are both located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in the Poconos.

While not the most majestic, the most easily accessible falls can be enjoyed via a quick daytrip from Pittsburgh. If you find yourself visiting the city and seeking a quick natural break from the urban congestion, there are plenty of beautiful state parks and trails within an easy drive.

While I love all the big city amenities of the ‘Burgh, I also look frequent daytrips to explore the natural beauty of the state. In my guide, I’ll highlight a few falls you can see pretty easily without much of a drive or hike. I’ve limited hikes on this list to under 3 miles, thus making these great picks for just about anyone.

Cucumber Falls

• Location: Ohiopyle State Park
• Hike required: Yes, it’s an easy quarter mile out-and-back walk.
• Address: 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470

Cucumber is quite a sight to see, despite the fact that it is far from the tallest in the state. While the waterfall stands a mere 30 feet, the lush setting inside beautiful Ohiopyle State Park can not be matched. Best of all, you only have to hike a mere quarter of a mile to see it.

Ohiopyle State Park offers 79 miles of hiking trails, a fantastic paved bike trail, and the best whitewater rafting in the state. There are plenty of activities here to justify the hour long drive. If you like hiking, I definitely recommend planning a summer daytrip. I am sure the colors are gorgeous during leaf peeping season, but unfortunately, we never made it out here during peak. Here’s some more info on this park.

Hells Hollow

• Location: McConnells Mill State Park
• Address: 496 Bestwick Rd, Mercer, PA 16137
• Hike required: Yes, an easy 1/2 mile out-and-back trail.

McConnells Mill is an easy 45 min drive outside of the ‘Burgh. This is one of my favorite fall daytrip destinations. I love leaf peeping and this is the best place near the city to do so. You will see gorgeous golden hues on any hiking trail and surrounding the beautiful covered bridge. Check out my park guide for further details on visiting during leaf peeping season.

One of my favorite hikes here is the short half mile trek to Hells Hollow which features a small, yet attractive waterfall in a quiet forested setting.

With a historic covered bridge, beautiful wooded trails, waterfalls, amazing leaf peeping in the fall, and a historic grist mill, McConnells is easily the best state park to visit in western PA. I really love the New England region (I lived in Massachusetts for several years) and this park most reminds me of hiking there in the fall.

Tip: Stop at Beans on Broad for an awesome cup of joe in a cozy space before visiting this park. It’s located in Grove City right on the route, so super convenient. I had the best pumpkin spice bagel here during the fall season and their coffee is surprisingly great for a small town.

Fall Run Falls

• Location: Fall Run Park
• Address: 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116
• Hike required: Yes, it’s a 1 mile long out-and-back trek along a nature trail.

This hidden gem is located just 15 minutes north of the city in the small rural town of Glenshaw. Although the park is located within the town limits, the trail is very rustic and peaceful, As soon as you start the walk, you will get to rejuvenate and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in a quiet setting.

The highlight here is a small, yet beautiful 18 foot waterfall accessible via an easy 1 mile long nature trail. As this is the tallest waterfall near the city, it’s worth the drive. I recommend hiking during leaf peeping season to enjoy the vivid foliage. I love the way the yellow foliage frames the falls.

Ohiopyle Falls

• Location: Ohiopyle State Park
• Address: 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
• Hike required: No

Gorgeous Ohiopyle Falls, easily viewable with no hiking required, is one of the many mesmerizing sights that draws thousands of visitors to this state park each year. This beauty is not very tall, coming in around 20 feet, however, the width stretches across the Youghiogheny River. There are a number of observing areas where you can take in the view at different angles.

I would say this park is worth visiting just to see the 2 waterfalls I mentioned (Cucumber and Ohiopyle), but there’s a lot more to do where you can make it a half day. Other activities for outdoor lovers include: sliding down natural sandstone waterslides, hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and picnicking.

Mineral springs waterfall

• Location: Racoon Creek State Park
• Address: 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050
• Hike required: Yes, it’s a 1.5 mile long tek.

Racoon Creek State Park is located just minutes away from the airport. Although planes are constantly landing, it’s a quiet place that sees minimal foot traffic. My favorite trail here is the Mineral Springs loop which will take you past the remains of a historic healing resort.

Besides a small waterfall, you will get to enjoy lovely creek views along this 1.5 mile trek. Racoon Creek is a great year-round destination with leaf peeping popular during the fall, hiking in the spring and summer, and cross country skiing in the winter. I loved hiking here during the winter season – we enjoyed the peace and quiet and lack of foot traffic. We have also hiked here a few times during the fall – the colors are very beautiful, much like any forested trail in this region.