This Is The Most Pennsylvania Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It
By Beth Price-Williams|Published May 03, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
One of my favorite things about spending time outdoors, at a park or on a hiking trail, is nature’s soundtrack – the birds singing, the trees rustling in the breeze, and the trickling of streams. But there’s one Pennsylvania sound that has an almost hypnotic rhythm, making it worth seeking out. Have you ever noticed how soothing the sound of a tumbling waterfall – no matter how small or big – is? It’s also one of the most familiar sounds outdoors in Pennsylvania.
Chasing some of the more than 300 waterfalls in Pennsylvania is fairly easy, whether we want to set off on a scenic hike or pull over and stroll just a few steps. Most of the time, we hear the sound of the waterfall before we get our first look.
Of all the waterfalls in Pennsylvania, Raymondskill Falls in Milford holds the distinction as the tallest in the state with a drop of 150 feet. A .6-mile trail leads to the majestic Raymondskill Falls.
Raymondskill Falls, Dingman Township, PA 18337, USA
For the ultimate adventure chasing waterfalls, plan to hike the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, which boasts 21 named waterfalls. The tallest is Ganoga Falls at 94 feet.
Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 PA-487, Benton, PA 17814, USA
With eight waterfalls, Bushkill Falls promises a symphony of cascading water. The two-mile Red Trail will take you to all of the waterfalls at this private state park.
If you’re near Ohiopyle State Park, go. Ohiopyle Falls and Cucumber Falls don’t require a hike to see or listen to that oh-so-sweet sound, and they’re about a mile apart (a super-quick drive). However, if you’re up for a hike, take the Ferncliff Trail, which leads to large rocks where you can sit, watch, and listen to the falls.
Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, USA
One of my favorite waterfalls, Buttermilk Falls in New Florence, sits on land once owned by Mister Rogers’ grandfather. Listen closely, and you can hear the waterfall from the parking lot, and it just gets louder the closer you get. A short trail leads to an overlook and, a bit further beyond that, you can see the cascade up close.
Two smaller waterfalls sit just a few steps from the bridge that leads to the stairs to the base of Buttermilk Falls. Do yourself a favor and walk behind the falls. The sound, the spray of the water, the view…you have to experience it to appreciate it.
What is your favorite Pennsylvania sound? What is your favorite waterfall in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Up for an epic adventure chasing waterfalls? Follow the ultimate Pennsylvania waterfall road trip. Before you set off, though, check out the OIYS road trip essentials packing list, so you don’t forget anything.
