Boasting 22 named waterfalls amid old-growth forest and deeply-incised canyons, Rickett’s Glen State Park encompasses more than 13,000 acres around a high bluff known as the Allegheny Front. On top of the bluff, several lakes—Lake Jean being the largest—are the source of the many creeks that tumble down the canyons and create the spectacular falls. The area was mostly logged out in the early 1900s by the landowner, R. Bruce Ricketts, before he decided to preserve the woodlands in the falls’ three glens. Following efforts to turn the area into a national park in the 1930s failed, he began selling the land to the state of Pennsylvania, who turned the area into a state park in 1944. The park is now a year-round destination for camping, hiking, fishing, bird-watching, paddling, skiing and ice climbing. 

Just an hour’s drive west of Scranton, the campground at Rickett’s Glen offers 120 drive-in campsites in two areas near the shore of Lake Jean. Sites can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 40 feet; some sites are ADA accessible, and a few group camps are available. Hookups are not available, but there is a dump station outside the camping area. Facilities in the campgrounds include restrooms with showers, drinking water, an amphitheater, a trail to the lake’s beach, and a designated dog area. The Big Loop campground also has five deluxe cottages available to rent. In a separate area, there are 10 cabins available, as well as a boat ramp (rentals available) and snack bar. Campsite rates range from $15–$20/night; cabins and cottages range from $60–$115/night.

The most popular activity at Rickett’s Glen is to hike through the three waterfall glens. This can be done via several looping trails ranging from 3.4 miles to 7.2 miles. Two trailheads are located above the falls, from the lakes area, and one is located below the falls, from PA Route 118. Other summer activities in the park include paddling and fishing on Lake Jean, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. An onsite naturalist offers guided walks, nature activities and interpretive programs. There are also limited hunting opportunities. If visiting during the winter season, many of the trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Ice fishing is popular, as is ice climbing on the waterfalls. Check the park’s website for off-season services, accessibility, and ice climbing requirements.

Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls! We saw 18 of them on a four-mile moderate hike, but if you want to see the additional four, you could make it a seven-mile hike. The trails are very well marked. 

  

We stayed in the large loop, which is a peninsula on Lake Jean. Many of the sites have lake views. The bathhouse was clean but not adequate for 73 sites. The campground was about ¾ full and there was often a wait in the bathroom. Showers looked reasonable but I did not use them.

  

There were many tent campers in this loop, which does not allow pets (the other, smaller loop does allow pets). There are no hookups at all in the park. The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth. However, the water for the dishwashing sink was turned off as well as the water in the restroom at the trailhead. Since we had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this.

  

There are trails to the beach, but we woke to rain the next morning, so we did not explore this. 

  

One trash/recycle area a distance away from the campsites which seems typical for PA state parks. Alcohol is strictly forbidden– we were warned that if a ranger saw any alcohol outside of our vehicle, we would be cited. Quiet hours are 9 pm– 8 am, which is more restrictive than other state parks, however, some did not observe these quiet hours (a guitar-playing singing camper thought he was talented, but I disagree!)

Waterfalls!!

This place is just gorgeous!  The hiking is challenging but worth it!  It took us about 3 hours to hike down and back up. We stopped at several falls and went in the water.  There are little pools everywhere.  It is crowded some but enough room for everyone.  The campgrounds and wonderful.  Clean and full of wildlife. 

hiking and 23 waterfalls!!

Northeast PA is such a beautiful place, the place of my birth!  Hiking is easy there with lots of beautiful sites.  It is best to visit in the Fall, to see all the leaves change.

Ricketts Glen State Park

This place has so many beautiful waterfalls and sights to see!  Be sure to take a trip to the fire tower and to the falls.  there are many different walks with different difficulty which is nice no matter what who you are with, giving you the ability to explore the outdoors.  A lot of interesting rock formations most likely due to weathering.  Lake Jean is also right there for boating and recreation.

Fall into Camping

This is an absolute favorite camping spot. This area has much to offer, the 22 waterfalls and hiking trails are at the top of the list followed by a lake, picnic and swimming areas. The campground offers hot showers, electric and primitive options, and pet friendly areas. The infamous Falls trail begins within the campground and has a link trail to return. 

Large campground near famous Waterfall trail

Everything i remembered it to be. Due to a brief government shutdown in NJ due to budget issues, I was saddened faced with having to rearrange camping plans over the 4th of July weekend. Ricketts Glenn came up in a search somewhere. I had been several times as a kid so I knew it was worth the extra drive. I was a blast. My kid loved it too.

Awesome water falls, nice hikes, friendly people, clean facilities.

Note: NO CELL SERVICE IN PARK.

It's been a while

A typical PA State Park campground. Nice enough, but awesome location. Make sure you check out the falls!

Typical State Park Campground

Very camper friendly. Park Rangers patrol regularly and kept the rowdiness to a minimum. Bathrooms were cleaned and maintained. Hiking trails were great. Lake was nice also, boat rentals and fishing were a lot of fun.

Beautiful wooded sites, not very crowded and facilities were kept nice.

A good place to camp while visiting the park. With an abundance of natural beauty and waterfalls to see, this campground provides you with a nice way to unwind from your hike and relax. No amenities except for a bathroom with shower and a place to do dishes, so come prepared. A short drive will get you to a store for supplies and firewood however.

Awesome located at the trails leading to the waterfalls and swim area.

The campground is clean and well maintained. Bath houses could use some updating, but over all are in good condition. Park is absolutely beautiful! Campground is situated very short walk from beach/lake and waterfalls.

Beautiful!

Campsite was clean though picnic table could have used some work. It was extremely busy and loud but being the weekend of Labor Day it was to be expected. Restrooms where a reck morning, noon and night all four days we stayed in 2016. But the hiking trails where great and the waterfalls amazing!! Would still go back again someday.

Beautiful hikes and views.

Stopped here to break up a longer drive to Shenandoah. Got in around 3:00 and had time to set to camp and make a quick loop through the 3 mi Falls Trail. Trail is **incredibly** well maintained and only moderately strenuous. Falls are beautiful. We were happy with our campsite and the restroom facilities.

Great for family or one day hike. 

I love this campground and have stayed there in both the summer and the Fall. We kayak on the lake ( our own kayaks, but at a beginner level). The Falls Trail is challenging and beautiful, especially in Autumn, and can also be accessed with appropriate ice gear during the Winter. We love to tent camp and choose campsites by the lake. It is a State Park; it’s clean; I feel safe. No alcohol.

Beautiful waterfalls; large lake; great campsites

we had a wonderful experience. drove our car right up to our site, had a ton of space to set up. a nice picnic bench and fire pit was there and we were sure 61 so the lake was 100 yards from all of this. the weather was perfect but we arrived at 3, went for a little hike, came back to set up dinner by the fire and it was all so easy to navigate. Our camp host did an awesome job explaInIng the map as well. in the morning with breakfast by the fire and the lake background was perfect. then we packed up and drove to park by the entrance where the day hikers park to do the waterfall hike route. that took us about 2 1/2 hours while taking our time 

perfect isolation

the hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained! and you got different falls to look at both ways, I believe there are around 17 waterfalls there? all very beautiful. would definitely recommend! if you can’t get a campsite here though because it books up fast I’d suggest worlds end state park, 20 min away! you can check out my review for that one as well :) 

beautiful falls trail!

such an amazing and beautiful hike! with several waterfalls and such a great atmosphere. only downfall for me, personally, was the restrooms near the parking to enter the trail. We’re super dirty!!!! Just no toilet paper, trash was over flowing and so on! But otherwise this place was great!!!! really would recommend maps at the trails entrance. 

amazing waterfalls!

Great hiking! There are various trails for all skill levels, and pets are welcome! 

beautiful spot!

Walking distance to the falls trail, nice spacious and private campsites. I highly recommend.

Great campsites!

First if you have a pet your sites are limited to the pet loop which we has in, site are single car parking and any other car must be parked in a wooded parking area a bit sketchy but no issues, sites are small two tents or one big tent, campground is kept very clean and bathrooms where very clean as well, it offers great trails to the Glenn they are well maintained and kept. Trails are good even for novice hikers. One bad thing was when we stayed there’s was a power outage leaving us with no hot showers..

First time camping PA

Great time camping despite the rain. We stayed in the big loop for the first time, normally we stay in the small loop, but it was just as good. 

Clean sites, great trails

Ricketts Glen State Park has amazing waterfall lined hikes and recreational lake activities. 

The campground is comparable to many PA State Parks with a variety of different sized sites, some very close&amp; small and some more private. There are no hook-ups in the campground. While Ricketts Glen has a lot to offer, the repeated conditions of the restrooms/bathhouses throughout the campground will be a deterrent in the future. The bathhouses were not maintained throughout the weekend and were very filthy by Saturday evening. Since there are no hookups, the number of bathhouses to camping sites is significantly lacking. Be aware that PA State park campgrounds are alcohol free and quiet hours start at 9:00PM.

Great Hikes but RR conditions lacking

This state park is just beautiful with a nice lake and beautiful trails. The campground is a bit crowded during peak season without much privacy. But this is the spot to be if you wanna hit up some trails and see some gorgeous views. 

Beautiful trails and waterfalls

Surrounded by Lake Jean at the top of Red Rock Mtn, this clean campground offers spacious pads for tents or campers. Lots to do and see nearby: hiking, swimming, horseback riding, and catch &amp; release fishing are all available. Open year round so snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing are also options. I can't wait to go back again!

Great Camping & Activities

Been camping here twice and both times were a lot of fun. It is a wonderful spot, which means it does get crowded but besides that, it's a place I will continue to come back to. 

Will definitely continue to camp here. 

I started off being Impressed that they called me saying there will be a don't drink the water notice going on a week before we were scheduled to visit, but they were going to have a large container with drinkable water by the main gate.  Then when we got there we loved the view of the lake from our campsite. The bathrooms were clean and well kept. The hiking trails were nice and rugged and all of the trails fit the landscapes, plus it was awesome to be able to walk right next to the many waterfalls and not have any railing (fair warning to people with vertigo)

Well worth a long Drive, and I so want to go back

Spent 3 nights at Ricketts Glen with my partner. 

We took Falls Trail on a Monday morning around 9:30am and there were a few people on the trail already. By the time we finished the trail around noon, the entire parking lot was full. Definitely recommend an early start! 

The beach is a one mile walk from the Big Loop, but very doable in flip flops. Nice and clean with rentals available.

Grandview trail was our last trail of the trip. A quick two miler that’s well marked and a fun quick hike. 

Note to any campers: the turf at the campsite is HARD. If you’re trying to put stakes in the ground to secure your tent, you’ll need heavy duty stakes. We bent a few of our metal stakes and had to buy a rubber mallet to get anywhere (and still struggled).

Red Rock Corner Store is at the “base” of the park is a nice go-to for ice, soda, or last minute camp needs.

No cell service for me or my partner at the site (T-Mobile and Verizon), which we loved, but isn’t for everyone.

Falls are worth the hype

Excellent views and the ability to explore and experience the waterfalls areas. Beach and lake activities are available as well.

Incredible waterfalls

No hook ups and bathrooms can get dirty. Sites are fairly private. Lake is great for kayaks and the falls hiking trail is amazing.

Beautiful hiking

Beautiful scenery and awesome hike through the Glens and waterfalls.  Disappointed in the bathhouse- showers sprayed directly in the face and no hot water.  FYI- no cell reception.  Fire wood and ice not sold at campground.  Ok to buy wood at gas stations in Red Rock before you make your way up the mountain.  

Memorial Day 2021

The campground has spacious sites, and is very busy with lots of families coming and going in our two day stay. People were very respectful of quiet hours at night, and in the morning it was loud with playing children as people woke up. Our site was near to the bathrooms, which are decent and similar to a gym bathroom - main critique is that the showers were hard to use and always a little wet. 

There are a lot of trails within walking distance of the campground; we did the short Highlands Trail which was easy, and stopped by one of the waterfalls on the Falls Trail. I think the Falls Trail is pretty long and steep, so be prepared for a long time out. We finally stopped by the beach which was lovely and had bathrooms + showers.

Good hiking and swimming, would come again.

Busy campsite with lots to do

I only stayed for a night, but had a wonderful visit! The campsites were great, somewhat close to others but that was fine. Bathrooms were okay and dumpsters were a bit far, but you can drive to them rather quickly. Note that alcohol is not permitted and quiet hours start at 9pm. We also did not have cell service- among our group we had TMobile and Verizon.

The park itself is beautiful and the Falls Trail is an absolute must. I'm definitely planning on visiting again, as one night was not enough!

Great Weekend Getaway

Sites are extremely difficult to get here, with less than half being able to be booked online. No pull through sites and no sites with full hookups. More than half don’t even have electric. Most can only accommodate small rigs. 

Facilities need a major upgrade, and hikes are very crowded on the weekends. 

Beautiful park, camp needs work

Stayed at site 44, it was a great time! Do the falls trail and do it early. Campsites are a little stacked but that’s okay for how nice it is and how close you are to the trailhead. Bathrooms are nice and well maintained. 

Side note: absolutely no service for AT&amp;T

Do the falls trail!!!

Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon). 

Sites very close to each other 

The only grudge I usually have are with the campers who don’t respect the others. Site 33 has access to the water, be prepared for people to walk onto your site. 
Bathrooms needs updating

Great Park

We were there for our 30th wedding anniversary on June 20th and were lucky the Mountain Laurel were in bloom on the Grand View trail. It was an easy 2 mile hike. It was raining so we couldn’t do the falls trail, we must go back. That’s why the easier Grand view trail saved the day. Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Everything else about the park was lovely and we had lake views and watched the sun set on the lake each day . It was just a short walk from our site. We are already planning for next year!!
Only the small loop is dog friendly. All trails are dog friendly but we won’t take her on the Falls trail as it’s steep and can be slippery and is two long for our little Havanese. 

June is Mountain Laurel time

The campground at Ricketts Glen is really nice. The sites are HUGE and level, it’s easy to maneuver your rig through the campground area, and most of the RV sites have water, sewer, and electric. Not all of the sites have shade. The hookups are well placed, and the sewer is set into a concrete bowl and level with the ground so a slinky type hose support is all you need.

Getting to this campground you have to up and down a LOT of hills, and the last one is a doozy! It is a 2 mile climb on an 18% grade, but take it slow going up and down and you should be fine.

NO cell service whatsoever, even using a booster I only got two bars. But the lack of trees in our area made it a good place to use Starlink. 

Come prepared to this campground, as the closest grocery store is about 30 minutes away, but there is a Dollar General near the entrance to the park for incidentals and snacks. There is a nice sandy swimming beach about 5 minutes drive from the campground, boat launches, and a kayak rental. If you like to stargaze, it is pretty amazing here! Very little light pollution and a great view of the sky from the campground! The attached star photos were from my campsite!

The rangers patrol regularly, but being a state park in a pretty remote area I wouldn’t worry too much. Dumpsters and a dump station are conveniently located on the way out, and it’s a big area so it would be easy to dump if needed. 

Great Campground, but 18% grade hill to get here!

If you love hiking and waterfalls then this is the place for you!! Absolutely beautiful displays of nature with over 20 waterfalls some as high as 90 feet! Hiking can be difficult so please be prepared and ensure you are cable of climbing several flights of wet, rocky, muddy steps. The campground itself was very clean with spacious sites. We stayed in the Small loop site 18 and it was in the back of the loop so it was quiet. We had a wonderful time at this park and would visit again in a few years when our kids are older. Our 5 year old did this hike (about 3 miles) and didn't complain she was tired until we got to the parking lot! 

Waterfall heaven

I  picked a horrible day to stay here: it was at the peak of the wind pollution from the Canadian wild fires. The sky was  filled with eye-burning smoke, it was totally overcast, cold and very  windy.  

  

I STILL HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!  

  

Even though it hadn't rained for awhile, the hiking along the waterfalls trail was wonderful. I also saw several people kayaking at the campsite next to mine (our campsites were directly at the shore)and others were biking.  

  

The park is well maintained and very clean and pretty.

A great multi-activity spot!

Beautiful waterfalls surrounded by autumn color.

This campground offers full-hookup sites on the small loop section. You may also bring dogs to the small loop section. The Large Loop section is more geared for boondocking smaller trailers and tent campers. No dogs are allowed in that area.

Dogs are allowed on the trail, but are required to be on 6-foot leashes at all times.

The restrooms were clean and convenient. I found the hot water in both the small and large loops to be tepid at best.

Site 135 was perfectly level which made setting up camp easily. The water spigot was hard to operate as it was stiff. So bring along some WD 40 just in case.

The Falls trail is a hard/difficult trail. Although the loop is just 4.1 miles around, there are many stone steps and steep inclines. Bring hiking poles to help with the descent and ascent, along with snacks and water.

Autumn Glory at Ricketts Glen

Tent camping in the large loop area. 

Escaping the Maryland summer heat, the cooler temperatures in Ricketts Glen State Park was perfect. This park offers a variety of activities. Hiking along the Falls Trail being a highlight. The Large Loop is closer and banks along the lake, where there are two separate beach areas perfect for swimming. Kayak rentals, fishing are some of the great water things you can enjoy. 

The campsite was perfectly sized for us - tent campers and close but not too close to the clean restrooms. A water spigot was handy across the road. Behind the restroom building is a dishwashing station. While there are showers there, the hot water was actually...cold.

There is a great small camp store if you need last minute items, and the concession stands at the furthest beach sells firewood and ice cream.

There are cabins available to rent, which looked really comfy. All linens, etc need to be brought along though.

Summer respite

First off, if you are going to visit all the falls, bring shoes that you can walk in and that are smart for wet and moist surfaces.  Flip flops will not work for this.  We had tennis shoes on and that wasn't our best choice, however we don't own hiking boots....might be something we get in time, especially if we go back here.  The many falls are breathtaking!  We had a very nice site....no electric, clean bathhouses, very quiet.  This one was far for us, but we had a very enjoyable time there with our friends!