How to Find Yost Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest

The author at Yost Run Falls on a spring day.
The author at Yost Run Falls on a spring day.

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

A map showing the parking area for Yost Run Falls, relative to Moshannon and Renovo.
A map showing the parking area for Yost Run Falls, 13 miles north of the village of Moshannon.

Yost Run Falls is the tallest waterfall in Centre County, and is located in the northern part of the county, along the beautiful Chuck Keiper Trail.

A downstream view of Yost Run Falls on a winter day.
A downstream view of Yost Run Falls on a winter day.

Finding the Parking Area

The parking lot for the hike to Yost Run Falls can be found at GPS coordinates: 41.175155, -77.879025; CLICK HERE to open a Google Map to the parking area (will open in a new window).

The parking area for the Yost Run Falls hike.
The parking area for the Yost Run Falls hike.

As you approach the parking area from either the north or south along Route 144 you’ll see the large Chuck Keiper Trail sign pictured below.

Chuck Keiper Trail sign along Route 144, opposite the parking area.
Chuck Keiper Trail sign along Route 144, opposite the parking area.

The parking area is located on the opposite side of the road from that sign, approximately 50 yards west of Route 144.

The Chuck Keiper Trail sign near the parking area.
The Chuck Keiper Trail sign near the parking area.

At the back edge of the lot is a kiosk where you can pick up a DCNR map of this section of the Sproul State Forest (if the kiosk is stocked, that is).

The map kiosk near parking area for Yost Run Falls hike.
The map kiosk near parking area for Yost Run Falls hike.

Hiking to Yost Run Falls

The hike to Yost Run Falls covers 1.26 miles from parking lot to waterfall, and utilizes the Yost Run Loop section of the Chuck Keiper Trail.

The trail to Yost Run Falls with the laurel alongside in full bloom.
The trail to Yost Run Falls with the laurel alongside in full bloom.

There is an elevation change of 468 feet along the way – all downhill on the way to the falls, all uphill on the way back if doing this as a simple out-and-back hike.

A map showing the trail to Yost Run Falls.
A map showing the trail to Yost Run Falls.

From the parking lot, follow the Yost Run Trail Loop, hiking away from the highway.

Yost Run Trail sign near the parking area.
Yost Run Trail sign near the parking area.

At 0.17 miles into the hike, you’ll come to a fork in the trail, facing two gated roads.

The gate near the parking lot the you DO NOT want to pass.
This gated road at the right fork in the trail is NOT the road you want to follow to the falls.

Take the trail TO YOUR LEFT, slipping around the the black and yellow gate, and continue down the trail.

The gate you will go around on your hike to Yost Run Falls.
This gated road at the left fork in the road IS the one you want to follow to the falls.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you hike – I saw this bear cub along this section of the Chuck Keiper Trail a few springs ago.

A bear cub along the trail to Yost Run.
A bear cub along the trail to Yost Run.

I also encountered this majestic bull elk hanging around the Chuck Keiper Trail parking area one early summer morning.

Elk standing near the parking area for Yost Run Falls.
Elk standing near the parking area for Yost Run Falls.

At 0.6 miles into the hike you’ll pass Camp Bloom along the trail.

Camp Bloom along the trail to Yost Run Falls.
Camp Bloom along the trail to Yost Run Falls.

At 1.09 miles into the hike you’ll come to the Brown Camp (as in the name of the family that owns the camp – sign near the door).

The Brown Camp along Yost Run.
The Brown Camp along Yost Run.

At this point you will bear TO THE RIGHT, as the trail changes from a wide log road to a narrow single-track trail.

A map to Yost Run Falls and Kyler Fork Falls in the Sproul State Forest.
A map to Yost Run Falls and Kyler Fork Falls in the Sproul State Forest.

Follow this narrow trail right along/above Yost Run for 0.17 miles to Yost Run Falls.

A young hiker takes in the scene at Yost Run Falls.
A young hiker takes in the scene at Yost Run Falls.

Photographing Yost Run Falls

Whether your shooting a DSLR or a cell phone (I do both), it’s hard to take a bad photo of Yost Run Falls.

The author at Yost Run Falls on a winter day.
The author at Yost Run Falls on a winter day.

In the winter months it’s almost Christmas card-perfect.

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

Unless there has been an extended deep-freeze, in which case it looks like a frozen blob!

Yost Run Falls completely frozen over on winter day.
Yost Run Falls completely frozen over on winter day.

With the spring thaw things start to green up fast along Yost Run.

A stream-level view of Yost Run Falls on a winter day.
A stream-level view of Yost Run Falls on a winter day.

Once the snow is completely gone, the lush foliage fills in around the falls.

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

The bank opposite the trail gives you a different perspective to shoot from.

A summer view of Yost Run Falls from the far side of the stream.
A summer view of Yost Run Falls from the far side of the stream.

And by venturing downstream a few yards you can incorporate some smaller cascades into the mix.

A downstream view of Yost Run Falls on a summer day.
A downstream view of Yost Run Falls on a summer day.

There are also great scenes to be had upstream from Yost Run Falls.

Small cascade on Yost Run, upstream from Yost Run Falls in the Sproul State Forest.
Small cascade on Yost Run, upstream from Yost Run Falls, in the Sproul State Forest.

As well as downstream from the falls.

Small cascades downstream from Yost Run Falls.
Small cascades downstream from Yost Run Falls.

Also, be sure to visit Kyler Fork Falls, located a mere 300 yards downstream from Yost Run Falls!

The author at Kyler Fork Falls.
The author at Kyler Fork Falls.

Nearby Attractions

Round Island Run Falls is located in the Clinton County portion of the Sproul State Forest.

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

Table Falls is located in the adjacent Quehanna Wild Area.

A September view of Table Falls, flowing high and clear on Paige Run.
A September view of Table Falls, flowing high and clear on Paige Run.

And Wykoff Run Falls is also located in the Quehanna Wild Area, roadside in Cameron County.

A fisherman at Wykoff Run Falls in Cameron County
A fisherman tries his luck at Wykoff Run Falls in the Quehanna Wild Area.

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide is your free ticket to discovering HUNDREDS of waterfalls across PA.

The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfall Guide created by Rusty Glessner
The Ultimate Pennsylvania Waterfalls Guide provides directions to hundreds of waterfalls all across PA.

Still not convinced you need to see Yost Run Falls?

Then check out this video!


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