The area around Kinzua Dam in Warren County, PA is known for its many amazing outdoor activities. The area features vistas, mountain biking trails, water activities, beaches, and more. However, one spot that many drive right by is the beautiful Bent Run Falls.
Bent Run Falls is located just off of the Bent Run Trail, which sits directly opposite the imposing Kinzua Dam.
While the waterfall is within feet of the trailhead, getting to the base of it, or even a good view, requires a bit of a sketchy descent along a user-created trail. However, if you reach the base of the falls, this is an incredibly beautiful spot to visit.
The parking area for Bent Run Falls is located on the opposite side of the road from the top of Kinzua Dam (Full details on where to park can be found at the bottom of the article).
From the parking area, take the obvious trail into the woods past at sign for the Bent Run Trail. This trail follows Bent Run upstream for a couple of miles. However, the terrain is steep and it can be hard to follow the trail after about half a mile or so.
There are no waterfalls of note along the trail as you head up the hill, but the stream is quite beautiful as it cascades through a series of boulders and small drops, so it’s worth hiking upstream a bit to see these scenic part of Allegheny National Forest.
To see Bent Run Falls, don’t head up the trail. Instead, just past the trail’s entrance, take a small, unmarked trail to your right. From here, you should be able to see the top of Bent Run Falls. Make your way carefully down the rocks to the base of this beautiful waterfall.
There is no official trail to the base of the falls, but there is a worn path you should be able to follow easily enough, though it’s moderately difficult in a few spots and can be slippery when the trail is muddy.
When water is flowing well here, Bent Run Falls splits into three different streams that cascade down the hillside. While there is only one stream when water levels are lower, the main flow of water passes through the most easily-visible portion of the waterfall making it still quite beautiful.
In total, the waterfall is probably about 20 feet tall, though it does continue to cascade up the hillside far above where you can see from the base.
There isn’t a lot of room to spread out at the bottom of Bent Run Falls to relax and enjoy the falls, and there is really only one photo spot here that you can get without getting your feet wet. However, if you are visiting the Allegheny Reservoir and Kinzua Dam, this is definitely a spot worth seeing as it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Warren County, PA.
How to Get to Bent Run Falls in Warren County, PA
Bent Run Falls is located just off of the Bent Run Trail and a stone’s throw from the shores of the Allegheny Reservoir in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The parking area for the trail and waterfall can be found at the following coordinates in the Allegheny National Forest: 41.835284, -78.996502. Don’t confuse it with Bent Run Brewing in downtown Warren when using your GPS.
From this gravel parking lot, locate the trail marker and walk past it. Either take an immediate right to head downhill towards the base of Bent Run Falls or head upstream to explore this beautiful area even more.
Bent Run Falls can be found at the following coordinates: 41.835083, -78.996972.
After checking out Bent Run Falls, make sure to cross the road to check out the impressive Kinzua Dam, which is one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River.
Looking for more spots to visit nearby? Check out Hector Run Falls, the best wineries in the Pennsylvania Wilds, and Logan Falls.
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