Photos by Cameron Venti and Sarah Kropf
Deep within the heart of Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains lies a haven for photographers and nature lovers. Ricketts Glen State Park, with its mesmerizing waterfalls, boldly displays the raw beauty of the natural world. In the dance of sunlight and cascading water, in the whispering winds and the vibrant foliage, photographers find their muse and their sanctuary.
Within Ricketts Glen State Park, waterfalls aren’t merely geological wonders to reward the perseverance of hikers; they are poetic expressions of nature’s grandeur. Each of the park’s 22 named waterfalls possesses a distinct charm, a unique personality that beckons photographers to explore, understand, and immortalize.
Ranging from delicate cascades to thundering plunges, Ricketts Glen’s waterfalls offer an orchestra of sounds and endless opportunities for creative compositions. Carved over millennia by the patient hands of nature, these falls are more than just water in motion. They are living sculptures, shaped by the elements and time. The smooth, sinuous curves of their rock formations, adorned with vibrant mosses and ferns, add a touch of artistic elegance. Every nook and cranny tells a tale of erosion, resilience, and the enduring beauty of impermanence.
The park boasts an extensive network of hiking trails that lead adventurers to the park’s famed waterfalls. The Falls Trail, a challenging 7.2-mile loop with several access points, leads to all 22 waterfalls, offering hikers a captivating journey through diverse terrain. For those seeking a more moderate experience, the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen trails provide shorter routes while still showcasing the park’s scenic beauty. Ganoga Falls, the park’s majestic center-piece, descends a breathtaking 94 feet. Its powerful cascade forming a delicate mist that catches the sunlight. But such amazing sights rarely come easy, and Ganoga Falls is no exception — it takes almost two miles of strenuous and at times treacherous hiking and scrambling to get to the vantage point. But the falls are amazing.
These trails wind through ancient woodlands, over wooden bridges, and along the edges of moss-covered rocks, creating an immersive experience for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. As you traverse the trails, keep an eye out for the rich biodiversity that graces Ricketts Glen. Towering hemlock trees, vibrant wildflowers, and rare fern species adorn the pathways, creating a botanical paradise. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting a variety of avian species, from woodpeckers drumming in the distance to the melodic songs of warblers echoing through the trees. Lucky hikers might even catch a glimpse of elusive mammals such as the red fox adding a touch of wilderness excitement to their hiking adventure.
This natural beauty includes swaths of old growth forests, preserved from the widespread clearcut logging that had been the fate of much of the park and surrounding mountains. That 3000 acres of old growth forests were spared due in large part because it was an attraction for visitors to the Ricketts Glen Hotel, established in the 1800’s. It burned down in 1919, but the forest survived and became a park in 1942, now covering 13,050 acres.
This preserved forest makes it not only a haven for waterfalls, but also a bustling ecosystem offering abundant wildlife. The park resonates with bird songs, from the haunting call of the barred owl to the melodies of songbirds. Patient photographers capture birds in flight, feeding, and nesting, showcasing their natural behaviors. Butterflies grace meadows, their delicate wings adding magic to photo-graphs. Mammals like bobcats and beavers provide candid glimpses into their lives, from dam construction to dawn grazing. Underwater, a hidden world thrives—fish glide, aquatic insects dance, and vibrant plants sway. Predator-prey dynamics unfold, illustrating the delicate balance of nature. For photographers, Ricketts Glen is a treasure trove of narratives, where each click tells a story of the park’s ecological richness and the extraordinary lives of its inhabitants.
With its ever-changing seasons, the park offers a kaleidoscope of beauty. In spring, vibrant hues of green and blooming wildflowers contrast with energetic waterfalls, capturing the park’s awakening and renewal. Summer transforms the park into a lush oasis, with cascading water highlighted against vibrant foliage. Fall paints the landscape in fiery hues, creating a visual spectacle as falls stand amidst warm autumn colors. Winter blankets the park in serene silence, turning waterfalls into enchanting ice sculptures. Photographers seize these moments, immortalizing Ricketts Glen’s diverse moods, whether it’s the vibrant renewal of spring, the lush energy of summer, the fiery beauty of fall, or the serene elegance of winter, each season providing an ever-inspiring canvas for their visual tales.
If there’s ever a reason to bring a camera on a hike, this is it. Photography is a powerful tool, capable of not only capturing the beauty of nature but also inspiring action. Photographers embrace their role as stewards of the environment, using their art to raise awareness, evoke emotions, and ignite the spark of conservation in the hearts of viewers.
Ultimately, conservation photography at Ricketts Glen inspires environmental stewardship. By capturing the park’s essence—the timeless waterfalls, the diverse wildlife, and the fragile ecosystems—photographers instill a deep sense of awe and reverence. This awe, when transformed into action, drives individuals, communities, and organizations to actively participate in preserving the park. Through the lens of conservation photography, viewers become not just spectators but dedicated stewards, committed to safeguarding Ricketts Glen State Park and the natural wonders it holds.
In the heart of nature, every photograph tells a tale, and Ricketts Glen State Park becomes more than a subject—it becomes a muse, a teacher, and a source of boundless inspiration.
For more information:
• www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RickettsGlenStatePark
Paul not only writes many of the articles in the pages of this magazine, he is also the publisher and editor of all of the magazines in the Amygis Publishing’s family of travel magazines. He loves exploring, traveling the back roads, experiencing the world, and finding what is unique and memorable about the places he visits.
And he loves writing – poetry, short stories, essays, non-fiction, news, and. of course, travel writing.
For over 20 years, he has shared his explorations with readers in a wide variety of outlets, from groundbreaking forays into the first stirrings of the dot-com boom to travel guides, local newspapers, and television, including Runner’s World, Travel Lady, Providence Journal, and Northstar Travel Media. He currently publishes and writes for Amygis Publishing’s magazines Jaunting, Northeast Traveler, and Rhode Island Roads.
