Directions to Ricketts Glen
Complete driving directions, GPS coordinates, and parking information for Ricketts Glen State Park. Easy-to-follow routes from major cities to Pennsylvania's premier waterfall destination.
Quick Reference
Address
695 Beach Lake Highway
Benton, PA 17814
GPS Coordinates
41.2431° N, 76.2750° W
Lake Rose Trailhead
Driving Directions
From Philadelphia (2.5 hours)
• Take I-76 West to I-476 North
• Merge onto I-80 West toward Stroudsburg
• Take Exit 274 for PA-487 North toward Bloomsburg
• Continue on PA-487 North for about 25 miles
• Turn right onto Beach Lake Highway
• Follow signs to Lake Rose Trailhead
From New York City (3 hours)
• Take I-80 West through New Jersey
• Continue on I-80 West into Pennsylvania
• Take Exit 274 for PA-487 North
• Follow PA-487 North for about 25 miles
• Turn right onto Beach Lake Highway
• Follow signs to Lake Rose Trailhead
From Pittsburgh (3.5 hours)
• Take I-80 East toward Clearfield
• Continue on I-80 East for about 200 miles
• Take Exit 274 for PA-487 North
• Follow PA-487 North for about 25 miles
• Turn right onto Beach Lake Highway
• Follow signs to Lake Rose Trailhead
Final Approach to Trailhead
From PA-487: Turn right (east) onto Beach Lake Highway
After 2.5 miles: You'll see signs for Ricketts Glen State Park
Lake Rose Trailhead: Turn left at the sign for Falls Trail parking
Parking: Large paved lot with restroom facilities
Navigation Tips
- • GPS signal can be weak in rural areas - download offline maps
- • Look for brown park service signs along the route
- • The final approach is on narrow country roads
- • Watch for other hikers and cyclists on Beach Lake Highway
Alternative Routes
From Route 118: You can also approach from the north via Route 118 to PA-487 South. This route may be more scenic but adds about 15 minutes to your drive time.
Parking Information
Lake Rose Trailhead
Best for: Falls Trail hikers. This is the recommended and most convenient parking for the waterfall trail.
Alternative Parking
Beach #2 Day Use Area
Additional parking available during peak times. About 0.5 miles from Falls Trail.
Overflow Parking
Roadside parking may be available on Beach Lake Highway during busy weekends.
Peak Times: Weekends in fall (October) and spring (April-May) fill up quickly. Arrive before 8 AM.
Timing Your Visit
Best Times to Arrive
Early Morning
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Best parking availability and fewer crowds
Late Afternoon
After 3:00 PM
Crowds thin out but allow extra time
Weekdays
Tuesday - Thursday
Significantly fewer crowds year-round
Times to Avoid
Peak Crowding
- • Weekend mornings (9 AM - 12 PM)
- • Columbus Day weekend (peak fall colors)
- • Any sunny weekend in October
- • Holiday weekends in spring/fall
Parking Challenges
- • After 9 AM on weekends
- • Any October weekend
- • Spring waterfall season (April-May)
- • Sunny days after rainy periods
Public Transportation
Limited Public Transit
Unfortunately, there are no public transportation options directly to Ricketts Glen State Park. The park is located in a rural area that requires personal vehicle access.
Nearest Transportation Hubs
- • Bloomsburg (25 miles) - Limited bus service
- • Wilkes-Barre (45 miles) - Amtrak and bus stations
- • Scranton (50 miles) - Major transportation hub
Alternative Options
- • Rental car from nearest city
- • Rideshare services (limited availability)
- • Organized hiking tours from cities
Nearby Services
Gas & Food
Benton (8 miles)
Gas station, small market, basic supplies
Bloomsburg (25 miles)
Full services, restaurants, grocery stores
Berwick (30 miles)
Restaurants, gas, shopping centers
Emergency Services
Nearest Hospital
Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital (25 miles)
Police
PA State Police - Bloomsburg (25 miles)
Emergency
Call 911 for immediate assistance