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How to Get to Tanners Falls in Wayne County

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Wayne County, Pennsylvania, is home to many great waterfalls, but unfortunately, many of them are on private property. However, just a few miles north of Honesdale in State Game Lands 159 is one of Pennsylvania’s most unique waterfalls: Tanners Falls.

Tanners Falls is unique for several reasons.

The most obvious is the old bridge built above the falls that crosses over Dyberry Creek.

Tanners Falls near Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Tanners Falls is a beautiful waterfall with a historic bridge above it.

This bridge was built in 1885 and uses a unique combination of wood, metal, and stone to create the bridge. Unfortunately, the bridge is no longer open to traffic, which isn’t surprising once you have a chance to view it.

When I first visited this waterfall in 2015, you were allowed to walk over this 131-foot long bridge. However, for the last few years, the bridge has been gated off and you aren’t allowed to walk on it either. Hopefully, at some point, they will fix the bridge at least enough to allow pedestrians again.

Dyberry Bridge above Tanners Falls Honesdale PA
Dyberry Bridge is closed but is still a unique feature over this waterfall.

The second unique feature of the area surrounding Tanners Falls is the many stone ruins.

In the 1830s, this area was known as Dyberry Falls and was home to several mills. By the 1850s, tanning was very prevalent along the banks of the creek thanks to an abundant supply of hemlocks. Because of this, the waterfall and village became known as Tanners Falls.

If you look along the banks and edges of Dyberry Creek, you’ll be able to easily notice the stone foundations of walls and buildings among the underbrush. I can’t recall a waterfall in Pennsylvania that had more stone foundations than this one.

Mill Ruins near Tanners Falls Honesdale Pennsylvania
Ruins located near the Tanners Falls in State Game Lands 159.

Make sure you take some time to explore the ruins before leaving the area.

As much as I love history and crumbling ruins, I always visit a waterfall to see the falls themselves, and Tanners Falls certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The waterfall is roughly 20 feet tall between its two tiers, with the top tier being the larger of the two. Even though both of my visits were in mid-August, when many other waterfalls in the area were dry, Tanners Falls still had enough water flow to be quite enjoyable to view.

Top of Tanners Falls in the Poconos
The top tier of Tanners Falls from the top viewing area.

From the parking area, there is a narrow path leading down to a rocky outcrop just downstream of the top tier of the falls. This area provides a very nice view of the waterfall and the bridge above.

Getting to the bottom of the falls from here is a bit more difficult, even though it does follow along the same trail. You will likely need both of your hands to get up and down this trail, so I’d recommend carrying a bag if you are taking any camera equipment to the bottom of Tanners Falls.

Trail to Tanners Falls in Wayne County PA
The trail to the top viewing area is much easier than the trail to the bottom.

It’s also quite difficult to get back up if you are either short or lack dexterity, so make sure you don’t overestimate your abilities when heading down the hill.

At the bottom of the falls, ruins stretch out along the bank you descended, reaching the curving banks of Dyberry Creek a few hundred feet downstream. Dyberry Creek flows south, eventually meeting up with the Lackawaxen River in Honesdale at the base of Irving Cliff.

The area around the base of the waterfall is relatively shallow and flat but is VERY slippery. Walking across the base of this waterfall is one of the few times I’ve almost fallen into a creek. Fortunately, I didn’t but definitely use caution here.

All of Tanner's Falls from the far side of Dyberry Creek.
Tanners Falls from the far side of Dyberry Creek.

This area is also popular with picnickers and fishermen. There is a nice pool a few yards beyond the bottom of Tanners Falls, which is where most of the activity happens, leaving the waterfall a bit easier to photograph without people.

Keep in mind that there are no trashcans in state game lands, so please carry out what you bring in so that others can enjoy this area without your trash.

I had seen pictures of Tanners Falls before visiting, but I really think that this is one of those places that is much more scenic in person. In my opinion, the beauty of Tanners Falls and the history of the area make this one of the best waterfalls in the Poconos and one of my favorite waterfalls in Pennsylvania.

How to Get to Tanners Falls

Visiting Tanners Falls in State Game Lands 159
The top viewing area for Tanners Falls is located roughly where the rock is pointing.

Tanners Falls is in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, part of the state’s Poconos region.

It’s located a few miles north of Honesdale and the Wayne County Fairgrounds. The last few miles of the trip are especially scenic as you drive by dozens of small lakes on either side of a narrow road. 

The last half mile is on a dirt road in the state game lands. This road is narrow and has a few ruts, but I was able to drive the road fairly easily in a regular car in August 2020.

Metal ruin at Tanners Falls in Honesdale Pennsylvania
Evidence of the area’s industrial past can be found all around the waterfall.

Parking is available on either side of the bridge, but most people come in from Honesdale and thus park on the eastern side of the falls. The parking area is located at the following coordinates: 41.662890, -75.297547.

From the parking area, which is big enough for 5-6 cars, there is a narrow path down to the two levels of the falls.

As a reminder, the rocks around Dyberry Creek and Tanners Falls are very, very slick. Use extreme caution while visiting if you go out on any wet rocks.

Ruins along Dyberry Creek in Wayne County Pennsylvania
Ruins on the far side of Dyberry Creek.

Should you wish to drive to the opposite bank to explore that side of the creek, you can put these coordinates in your GPS: 41.663146, -75.298309. Just make sure that your GPS doesn’t try to route you over the closed bridge before you follow these directions.

Should you wish to drive from one side of the creek to the other, expect a 30-minute trip.

Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out the waterfalls in Prompton State Park, Shuman Point Natural Area, and Archbald Pothole State Park.

[Click here for information on how to use coordinates to find your destination.]

See map below for other area attractions.

Great places to stay nearby


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Map of the Poconos"

More nearby places worth exploring

Find more things to do in the Poconos

1 thought on “How to Get to Tanners Falls in Wayne County”

  1. man I must be gett’n old and time sure flies by because last time I was at Tanners Falls you were able to drive over the bridge, although I’d go there mainly for fishing it is a beautiful place to visit, I remember eating my lunch on the middle of the bridge and trying to imagine how it looked 100 years ago when the tannery was in operation. Never thinking how lucky I was to have driven over the bridge 100’s of times. I started fishing the area back in the late 70’s to y2k. Since finding another big thrill fishing for land locked salmon in Vermont the past 20 years I’m starting to miss my old Pa. fishing spots and Tanners is probably my favorite. This is what lead me to this site making this comment. Good job to the author on the pics and writeup on tanners. Thanks for bringing back great memories. Most likely I’ll be revisiting the area in the 2021 fishing season. You can’t stay away from a great place to long. Happy Site seeing

    Reply

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