Ricketts Glen State Park is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It's in the Poconos, about a half hour or so west of Wilkes-Barre.

What's so great about the place? Try it would probably be a national park today were it not for a little event called World War II. Try 22 named waterfalls, from 11 - 94 feet in height! Try old growth forest! Try dozens and dozens of unnamed falls, pools, and rapids! What's even better? Try they are all linked together on a 7.4 mile trail!

Difficulty: 1400 foot elevation change. This is what I would call a moderate-level hike. The park calls it difficult. There are quite a few steps and much of the path is stone, close to the river. The stones often are wet from the spray and can therefore be slippery. Much of the elevation change consists of short, steep sections detouring around the waterfalls. Rain can make things very slippery and intense rain can flood the paths. Expect mud if it's rained recently.

The Ricketts Glen web site has more info including directions. I take I-81 to exit 170 (Wilkes-Barre) to 309 West to 415 West (road splits off, bear straight/left) to 118 West (red light, make left at gas station). Park is on 118 about 10 miles west of Route 29.

There are a pair of parking lots, one on either side of Route 118. The left one is smaller and right next to the first waterfall. From 118 West, you'll see a sign for the park, then a road that splits off to the right (to picnic area/other parking lot), and then a parking lot on the left. Park here. There is a bathroom, but it's pit toilets only.