Onoko Falls in May 2009
There are at least two major falls in Glen Onoko. I’ve already mentioned Glen Onoko when discussing Cave Falls, so I’m not going to repeat myself. Cave Falls happens to be the waterfall that I liked more out of the two major falls. Even so, Onoko Falls is still very pretty.
If I remember correctly, Onoko Falls is taller, but it just wasn’t as exciting for me. It was also harder to photograph, as I happened to show up right as the sun was directly behind the falls. I can’t really prevent that, and I don’t have the ability to just show up whenever works best, so I just dealt with it. One cool aspect of this falls when I visited were the people rappelling down the falls.
Note: As of 2019, the Glen Onoko trail has been closed. I’m not sure when it will (or if it will) reopen.
Directions:
- From I-476, take exit 74.
- Take US-209 South toward the village of Jim Thorpe. Go for about 6 miles.
- Turn right onto PA-903. You will cross the bridge over the Lehigh River and go 0.4 miles to a stop sign.
- When you get to the stop sign, turn left. I remember the name of the road not being what I thought it would be (it was not Main Street, as expected).
- After turning left, head down that road, which will veer left again. Take that left. I think you now may end up on Main Street.
- After about 0.3 miles, you will take another left into the entrance to Lehigh Gorge State Park.
- Keep driving for a little less than 2 miles to the end of the road, which will be the parking area for the Glen Onoko trail head.
- From the parking area, you are going to follow the signs and head under the bridge to the trail head.
- From there, just try and follow the trail. The trail doesn’t seem to end. Cave Falls is the first major drop.
Accessibility: 2/10 (strenuous)
Height: 75′
Length of Hike: 1 mile round-trip
Where in the World is Onoko Falls?
The Waterfall Record 