Exploring Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park

The author at Lower Jonathan Run Falls in the spring of 2019.

If you’re looking for directions to Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park, you’re in the right place!

Fall foliage at Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fall foliage at Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Jonathan Run Falls are a pair of outstanding waterfalls spaced 1/3 of a mile apart along Jonathan Run at Ohiopyle State Park.

Side view of Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in April, 2022.
Side view of Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in April, 2022.

When you couple the hike to those two waterfalls with short side-excursions to nearby Sugar Run Falls and Fechter Run Falls, you have what I consider to be THE best waterfall hike in western Pennsylvania!

Fechter Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in the spring of 2019.
Fechter Run Falls.

Follow along as I give you step-by-step directions on how to find these four beautiful waterfalls in the wilds of Fayette County.

Fall foliage around Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fall foliage around Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Getting There

How to Find Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park

  1. From the intersection of Kentuck Road and Holland Hill Road, turn onto Holland Hill Road and travel 1.8 miles.

    A map showing the Jonathan Run Trailhead and GPS coordinates.

  2. Navigate to the Jonathan Run Falls parking area at GPS Coordinates 39.891847, -79.507867

    Look for the Jonathan Run Trailhead sign on the right side of the road.The Jonathan Run Trailhead sign along Holland Hill Road.

  3. Arrive at the Jonathan Run Falls parking area.

    The parking lot at the Jonathan Run Trailhead.

  4. Make your way to the trailhead at the back left corner of the parking lot, where this hike begins.

    The Jonathan Run Trailhead at Ohiopyle State Park.


Hiking the Jonathan Run Trail

A map showing the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
A map showing the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

This hike takes place primarily on the Jonathan Run Trail (1.83 miles), with short side trips on the Sugar Run Trail (.2 miles) and the Great Allegheny Passage/Mitchell Field Trail (.3 miles).

That makes for a 2.33 mile one-way / 4.66 mile loop hike.

Change in elevation from the parking area to the Great Allegheny Passage is a relatively mild 278 feet (downhill on the way out, uphill on return hike).

The frequently-muddy Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The frequently-muddy Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

A word on proper footwear here. The Jonathan Run Trail sits very close to Jonathan Run and often is muddy and slippery. At times there will be water flowing on the trail itself.

I urge you to wear hiking boots, NOT flip-flops or sneakers, on this trail. It would be very easy to twist/break an ankle in this slop without proper foot/ankle support.

Consider yourself warned!

The First Bridge on the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohipyle State Park.
The First Bridge on the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohipyle State Park.

At .19 miles into the hike you’ll come to the first of 3 bridges on the Jonathan Run Trail.

Continue down the trail.

The Second Bridge along the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Second Bridge along the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

At .97 miles into the hike you’ll come to the second (and most recently rebuilt) bridge on the trail. Keep going!

The intersection of the Sugar Run and Jonathan Run Trails.
The intersection of the Sugar Run and Jonathan Run Trails.

At 1.27 miles into the hike you’ll come to the intersection of Jonathan Run Trail and Sugar Run Trail.

For now, you’ll bear right and continue down the Jonathan Run Trail. But we’ll revisit Sugar Run Trail on the return hike.

The Third Bridge along the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Third Bridge along the Jonathan Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

At 1.32 miles you’ll come to the third bridge on the Jonathan Run Trail. Continue across the bridge.

Intersection of the Jonathan Run, Kentuck, and Upper Jonathan Run Falls Trails.
Intersection of the Jonathan Run, Kentuck, and Upper Jonathan Run Falls Trails.

At 1.39 miles into the hike you’ll come to the intersection of Jonathan Run Trail, Kentuck Trail (to the right) and the user-created Upper Jonathan Run Falls Trail to the left.

Take the trail to the left (see image above).

At 1.44 miles you’ll arrive at Upper Jonathan Run Falls.

Upper Jonathan Run Falls on a summer afternoon at Ohiopyle State Park.
Upper Jonathan Run Falls on a summer afternoon at Ohiopyle State Park.

GPS Coordinates for Upper Jonathan Run Falls

39.902398, -79.491795


Photographing Upper Jonathan Run Falls

Whether you shoot it from up close or downstream, it’s hard to take a bad photo of Upper Jonathan Run Falls!

Downstream view of Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County Pennsylvania.
Downstream view of Upper Jonathan Run Falls.

No matter the season, this waterfall never disappoints.

A selfie at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
A selfie at Upper Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

Even in the winter, Upper Jonathan Run Falls is a magical place.

Winter arrives at Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
Winter arrives at Upper Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

Lower Jonathan Run Falls


Backtracking up the small hill to the main Jonathan Run Trail, continue down the trail.

At 1.72 miles into the hike you’ll come to the user-created Lower Jonathan Run Trail, obvious for its rope “handrail”.

The user trail leading from Jonathan Run Trail to Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
The user trail leading from Jonathan Run Trail to Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

This is the most difficult to reach of the 4 waterfalls on this hike.

If you have the least bit of doubt in your ability to descend safely, DON’T!


GPS Coordinates for Lower Jonathan Run Falls

39.903107, -79.490325

Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park - Spring 2019.
Lower Jonathan Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park – Spring 2019.

If you do make the descent, you’ll be greeted by the roar of water, assuming flow is up when you visit.

The best spot to shoot from and avoid spray from the falls is perched above it on this rock outcropping.

Angelic light at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park
Angelic light at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park

The sun typically doesn’t hit this waterfall until late afternoon, and can make for some dramatic lighting as pictured above.

Winter selfie at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park
Winter selfie at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park

If you brave the descent in the winter (note microspikes on my boots in photo above), the ice formations at Lower Jonathan Run Falls are outstanding.

When you’re finished here, use the rope “handrail” on the user-created Lower Jonathan Run Trail to extract yourself from the Jonathan Run stream bed and back up onto the Jonathan Run Trail.


Sugar Run Falls

Intersection of the Jonathan Run Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage.
Intersection of the Jonathan Run Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Continue hiking down the Jonathan Run Trail.

At 1.83 miles into the hike, you’ll come to the intersection of the Jonathan Run Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage (see image above).

The Great Allegheny Passage at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Great Allegheny Passage at Ohiopyle State Park.

The Great Allegheny Passage is a wide, flat, crushed stone path.

You’ll hang a left onto the GAP and follow it .17 miles.

Be alert for bikes, runners, and other hikers on this multi-use trail. The bikes especially can come up on you in a hurry.

At 2.0 miles into your hike, you’ll arrive at the intersection of the Great Allegheny Passage and the Mitchell Field Trail.

The intersection of the Great Allegheny Passage and Mitchell Field Trail.
The intersection of the Great Allegheny Passage and Mitchell Field Trail.

Standing where I was to take the photo above, you can see Sugar Run Falls in the winter, when the trees are bare.

But spring through fall, you’ll have to hike up the Mitchell Field Trail a brief .1 miles until the falls come into view.

A downstream view of Sugar Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.
A downstream view of Sugar Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park.

GPS Coordinates for Sugar Run Falls

39.905967, -79.491400


Consistently one of the finest looking waterfalls in western PA, Sugar Run rarely disappoints, barring a prolonged dry spell.

Selfie at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
The author at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

The spring thaw always has Sugar Run Falls surging with ice-cold water.

High spring flow at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park
High spring flow at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park

While in winter the ice formations hang like jewelry off the various tiers of the falls.

A winter scene at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
A winter scene at Sugar Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

When finished here, simply hike back down the Mitchell Field Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage to resume the hike.


Hiking to Fechter Run Falls

Fechter Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in the spring of 2019.
Fechter Run Falls at Ohiopyle State Park in the spring of 2019.

The next part of the hike is one of simple backtracking.

Hike back the GAP .2 miles to the intersection with the Jonathan Run Trail.

Hike back up the Jonathan Run Trail, past Lower and Upper Jonathan Run Falls.

Cross over the bridge above Upper Jonathan Run Falls.

Arrive at the intersection of of Sugar Run Trail and Upper Jonathan Run Trail.

Fechter Run Bridge at Ohiopyle State Park.
Fechter Run Bridge at Ohiopyle State Park.

Bear right onto the Sugar Run Trail.

Hike .11 miles until you come to the footbridge pictured above.

The stream flowing under the bridge is Fechter Run.

25 paces past the bridge, you will come to the user-created Fechter Run Falls Trail pictured below.

The Fechter Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Fechter Run Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.

Bear right onto the Fechter Run Falls Trail and follow it down the hill to your first view of the falls.

The author at Fechter Run Falls in the spring of 2019.
The author at Fechter Run Falls in the spring of 2019.

GPS Coordinates for Fechter Run Falls

39.901200, -79.493667


Photographing Fechter Run Falls

Probably the most “fickle” of the four waterfalls mentioned on this hike, it takes a good hard rain or prolonged wet spell to have Fechter Run Falls looking its best.

Selfie at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
Selfie at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

But if you happen to catch it with great flow and peak fall foliage, you may not want to leave!

Fall foliage at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
Fall foliage at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

The sheer rock face over which the falls spill are bedecked with a myriad of ice formations in the winter months, making this a true 4-season waterfall destination worth visiting.

Ice formations at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.
Ice formations at Fechter Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park.

Completing the Hike

By simply backtracking the Sugar Run Trail to the Jonathan Run Trail (.11 miles) and then on up the Jonathan Run Trail another 1.27 miles, you’ll arrive back at your vehicle knowing you’ve just completed one of the most iconic waterfall hikes in all of Western Pennsylvania!


Nearby Attractions

10 of the Best Hiking Trails at Ohiopyle State Park will introduce you to more exceptional trails inside the confines of the park.

An autumn view of Youghioghney River from the Ferncliff Trail at Ohiopyle State Park.
The Ferncliff Trail along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park.

10 Must-See Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park will introduce you to even more sights and sounds along nearby creeks and streams.

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

Baughman Rock Overlook at Ohiopyle State Park is one of the finest scenic overlooks in the Laurel Highlands.

The author photographing an autumn sunrise at Baughman Rock Overlook.
The author at Baughman Rock Overlook.

Fallingwater, located just a few miles from Ohiopyle, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was voted by the American Institute of Architects as “the best all-time work of American architecture”.

Fallingwater as seen from the "Classic View" on the Visitor Center map.
Fallingwater in Fayette County, PA.

Kentuck Knob in Fayette County is another nearby Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, built in 1954 for Isaac and Bernardine Hagan, founders of the Hagan Ice Cream company in nearby Uniontown, PA.

The sandstone walls and cantilevered roof over the patio surrounding Kentuck Knob.
The sandstone walls and cantilevered roof over the patio at Kentuck Knob in Fayette County.

Nearby Laurel Caverns is billed as “Pennsylvania’s Largest Cave”, and is a great way to spend an hour or two BENEATH Fayette County!

The overhead Grand Canyon of Laurel Caverns.
Laurel Caverns in Fayette County.

Stewarton Falls in Fayette County is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the Laurel Highlands.

Stewarton Falls near Mill Run in Fayette County Pennsylvania.
Stewarton Falls near Mill Run in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Fort Necessity in Fayette County is the site of the first battle in what would become known in North America as the French and Indian War.

The modern-day replica of Fort Necessity at the National Battlefield in Fayette County PA
Fort Necessity in Fayette County.

Still not convinced you need to hike the Jonathan Run Trail?

Then check out some of these awe-inspiring video clips from the hike!


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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.