How to Find Round Island Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest

The author at Round Island Run Falls.

If you’re looking for directions to Round Island Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest, you’re in the right place!

Fall foliage around Round Island Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest of Pennsylvania.
Fall foliage around Round Island Run Falls.

Round Island Run Falls may be THE most remote waterfall in all of Central Pennsylvania – here’s everything you need to know to find and enjoy this exceptional natural wonder!


Round Island Run Falls FAQs

Where is Round Island Run Falls located?

Round Island Run Falls is located in a remote western corner of Clinton County in the Sproul State Forest.
Near (but not in) the Quehanna Wild Area.
A view of the Sproul State Forest DCNR map, showing location of the parking area and Round Island Run Falls.

Can I navigate to Round Island Run Falls by GPS?

Yes – the GPS coordinates for Round Island Run Falls are 41.271800, -78.005947

Why is Round Island Run Falls sometimes referred to as Three Falls?

Because of the three tiers that make up the falls.The three tiers of Round Island Run Falls, or Three Falls as it is sometimes called.

How tall is Round Island Run Falls?

Approximately 20 feet tall when factoring in all three tiers.


Directions to the Trail Head

I’m going to give you directions from the Quehanna Highway, since I will venture to guess the vast majority of visitors will be coming in from that direction.

How to Find Round Island Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest

  1. From the Quehanna Highway, turn onto Pottersdale Road.

    This turn is located approximately 2 miles north of Karthus, or 2 miles south of the Quehanna Boot Camp, depending on where you you are coming from.

  2. Travel 5.5 miles on Pottersdale Road until you come to the T-intersection pictured below. Take a left on Keating Mountain Road.

    Sign for Keating Mountain Road.

  3. After driving approx. 2.2 miles on Keating Mountain Road, you will come to Birch Island Road.

    Don’t turn here – just giving you this as a reference. Birch Island Run Road sign in the Sproul State Forest.

  4. Another 1 mile past Birch Island Run Road you will see Dutchman Road. Turn left here.

    Dutchman Road sign in the Sproul State Forest.

  5. Travel 1.7 miles on Dutchman Road until you see Round Island Road on your right. Turn right here.

    Round Island Road in the Sproul State Forest, Clinton County PA.

  6. Travel 2 miles on Round Island Road (on some maps called Round Island Ridge Road).

    You will pass a pair of hunting camps on the left – the Liberty Bell Camp and the Stone Chimney Camp.
    The area right around the camps is also a spot I frequently see elk, like this one I saw there a few years ago. A bull elk in velvet along Round Island Ridge Road.

  7. 0.2 miles further past the camps you will come to a spot where a pair of power lines cross the road. Park in the obvious pull-off on the left side of the road, underneath the power line.

    The GPS coordinates for the parking area are: 41.268613, -77.998115. View from the parking area for Round Island Run Falls hike. Underneath power lines, along Round Island Ridge Road.


Hiking to Round Island Run Falls

How to get to Round Island Run Falls. Map shows the hiking route (in red) and important landmarks along the way.
How to get to Round Island Run Falls. Map shows the hiking route (in red) and important landmarks along the way.

The hike to Round Island Run Falls is a pretty straightforward affair.

It is a 2.2 mile out and back hike, with roughly 300 feet in elevation change from the parking area to the base of the falls.

From the parking area, head towards the right edge of the power line cut and a yellow gate. Walk around the yellow gate and follow the obvious trail/ATV path.

At approx. 0.2 miles you’ll cross over a small stream. This IS NOT Round Island Run. Continue following the trail over and past this stream.

Keep your eyes peeled for elk in the woods and along the power line cut. I spotted this guy in the woods one day while hiking out to the falls.

An elk I encountered in the woods along the power line trail to Round Island Run Falls.
An elk I encountered in the woods along the powerline portion of the hike to the falls.

At approximately 0.4 miles into the hike you’ll come to the top of a steep, rocky road.

The steep rocky road along the power line trail leading to Round Island Run.
The steep rocky road along the power line trail leading to Round Island Run.

Round Island Run crosses the road at the bottom of this hill.

Turn right at the bottom of the steep rocky hill and follow the trail and stream.

The trail along Round Island Run, leading to the falls.
The trail along Round Island Run, leading to the falls.

The trail itself has an almost magical quality to it. In places it is basically a tunnel through the thick laurel. Plenty of amphibians also scurry across it in the summer.

A newt I encountered on the trail to Round Island Run Falls.
A newt I encountered on the trail to the falls.

Arriving at Round Island Run Falls

The descent to the base of Round Island Run Falls.
The descent to the base of the falls.

After hiking 0.5 miles along the stream, you will come to the user trail pictured above that leads down to the base of the falls. Note the fancy rope hand rail.

A view of Round Island Run Falls from downstream in early spring.
A view of the falls from downstream in early spring.

From where the trail descent brings you out, this will be your first look at Round Island Run Falls.

A view from Round Island Run Falls on a sunny February morning.
A scene from the falls on a sunny February morning.

There are numerous vantage points you can photograph Round Island Run Falls from.

A side view of the top two tiers of Round Island Run Falls.
A side view of the top two tiers of the falls.

Left, right, and downstream are all worth exploring.

The greenery comes alive at Round Island Run Falls in the summer months.
The greenery comes alive along Round Island Run in the summer months.

The one shot you MUST get though is from behind the upper tier. Access this angle from a trail on the left side of the falls (when facing upstream).

A summertime view from behind Round Island Run Falls.
A summertime view from behind the falls.

There is actually quite a bit of space behind the falls.

My daughter behind the upper tier of Round Island Run Falls.
My daughter behind the upper tier of the falls.

And even in the autumn months, when the water flow is sometimes barely a trickle, this is still a phenomenal scene as fall foliage covers the creek bed.

An autumn view from behind Round Island Run Falls.
An autumn view from behind the falls.

Be on the lookout for frogs in the pool at the base of the falls. This guy (or gal) was keeping a close pair of eyes on me as I shot there one afternoon.

A frog I encountered at Round Island Run Falls.
A frog I encountered at the falls.

If you continue up the trail on the left side of the falls to the top, you’ll encounter this set of picturesque cascades.

Cascades on Round Island Run, directly above the falls.
Cascades on Round Island Run, directly above the falls.

The Return Hike

Once you’ve had your fill of Round Island Run Falls, it’s a simple matter of backtracking 1.1 miles to your vehicle.

As I stated earlier, be on the lookout for wildlife. This ruffed grouse and I crossed paths in the woods along the power line cut one day.

A ruffed grouse (the Pennsylvania state bird) I encountered on a trip to Round Island Run Falls.
A ruffed grouse (the Pennsylvania state bird) I encountered on a trip to the falls.

Nearby Attractions

Table Falls in the adjacent Quehanna Wild Area is a beautiful, almost-roadside waterfall.

A close-up of Table Falls in the Quehanna Wild Area, Elk County, Pennsylvania.
A close-up of Table Falls in the Quehanna Wild Area, Elk County, Pennsylvania.

Wykoff Run Falls, also located in the Quehanna Wild Area, is literally roadside along Wykoff Run Road.

A fisherman at Wykoff Run Falls in Cameron County

Yost Run Falls is located in the Centre County portion of the Sproul State Forest.

A springtime view of Yost Run Falls from the trail.
A springtime view of Yost Run Falls from the trail.

9 Pennsylvania Waterfalls You Can Stand Behind is your guide to even more waterfalls like Round Island Run Falls that you can stand behind.

Rusty Glessner behind Cucumber Falls.
The author behind Cucumber Falls.

And if you’re looking for ALL the best waterfalls in Pennsylvania, look no further than The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide, with directions to HUNDREDS of PA waterfalls!

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Guide created by Rusty Glessner
The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide by Rusty Glessner.

For something completely different, be sure to check out the abandoned nuclear jet engine bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area, a glimpse into the Cold War past of Pennsylvania.

Abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunker entrance.
The abandoned nuclear jet engine bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area.

Still not convinced you need to put Round Island Run Falls on your PA bucket list?

Then check out this video!


Did you enjoy this article?

If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!

Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.


PA Bucket List 2022 Sasquatch Logo

Pennsylvania’s Best Travel Blog!

Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.