There are many fantastic waterfalls in the Poconos that I’ve visited throughout my travels, but none are quite like Marshall’s Falls.
Marshalls Falls is located on land that has been owned by Monroe County since 2008. However, due to funding issues, little has been done to turn the area around this waterfall into a park (though things do seem to be moving slowly in the right direction).
In fact, at the time of publication, there is no infrastructure beyond a nice wooden bridge that crosses the Marshall’s Creek just downstream of the falls. However, the park is on public land and visitors are allowed to visit it. (Note that future construction work at the park may shut it down briefly, so please respect any signs you see in the future.)
Plans for this 15-acre park include a parking lot, hiking trails, and signage. However, for now, the park is still a perfect spot to enjoy this beautiful waterfall.
What makes Marshall’s Falls so unique is that it drops through a narrow rock chasm, into a small and narrow gorge surrounded by 25-foot rock walls. This creates an incredibly dramatic waterfall that peeks out from the gorge walls that surround it.
Marshall’s Falls can be viewed from both above and below. Care obviously needs to be taken above the waterfall as a tumble here wouldn’t be a good idea.
If you park in the area mentioned at the bottom of this article, the trail will take you first to the top of the waterfall. Take a minute to check out this vantage point, but, again, please be careful if you decide to peer over the edge.
Above the falls, you can see the remnants of bridge supports that once spanned this mini gorge.
To reach the bottom of the falls, head through a narrow cut in the rock. This cut appears to be man-made, and it likely was a way of diverting water for a mill that once stood on this spot.
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Today, though, it just creates a really neat passageway for the trail to the base of Marshall’s Falls.
Once you reach the bottom of the falls, you might be wondering where it went. From the side of the creek that the trails are on, it’s impossible to see Marshall’s Falls as it’s hidden behind the towering rock walls.
Fortunately, a wooden bridge has been recently constructed over Marshall’s Creek so you can get a view of the falls without getting your feet wet.
From the far side of the creek, the true beauty of Marshall’s Falls can be seen. Standing in this spot offers a great view of the waterfall as it flows down and through this small gorge. The waterfall almost feels like it’s playing peek-a-boo as it moves in and out of sight as you maneuver through this area.
In fact, the rock walls that surround and nearly shroud the falls from view are like nothing I’ve seen in the nearly 200 PA waterfalls I’ve been to. It almost reminds me more of something you’d expect to see in the slot canyons of the western United States.
Without a doubt, Marshall’s Falls is a hidden gem of Monroe County and really of the entire Poconos region. Hopefully, the infrastructure will soon be added so that this park can be enjoyed easily by more people. However, until then, the adventure of finding the falls is part of the fun of visiting the area.
How to Get to Marshall’s Falls
Note: At this time Marshall’s Falls is closed to the public pending completion of the park.
Until the parking area for Marshall’s Falls Park is built, parking is definitely the most challenging part of visiting this site.
In truth, the parking area listed here only has enough room for one car, and even that is a bit tight. You may be able to find other spots to park along the road, but use extreme caution if you do and respect any signage you see.
The parking area for the park can be found at a bend in Marshall’s Creek Road at the following coordinates: 41.052690, -75.137147. The pull-off will be on the right side of the road while traveling away from Route 209.
Be extremely careful exiting and reentering your car here as this is somewhat of a blind curve in the road.
From this tiny pull-off, you’ll see an obvious, but unmarked trail that heads into the woods. This will lead to the top of Marshall’s Falls is less than 100 yards.
Note that there is a parking lot near the golf course that people sometimes park at when visiting the falls, but the lot is on private property. Parking is not allowed here.
Looking for more things to do in the Poconos? Check out Resica Falls, downtown Stroudsburg, the Pocono Indian Museum, and Rattlesnake Falls.
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A friend and I found it but we walked down the road and past the old house to the bridge rather than the trail you mentioned. It was easier. The house did not look occupied so we guessed it was OK to go in that way.
That probably is easier, but since I think the house isn’t part of the park, it’s still probably best to go the other way until something more official is set up.
Always best to respect other people property and not trespass even though it maybe be vacant.
I know you will delete this. But Monroe falls was purchased by Smithfield township in 2008 not Monroe county. It is currently closed to all visitors until the township develops it as a park. So like Child’s Park it is closed. Resica Falls is also closed as well. Do not hesitate to ask me if you have questions. I apologize for all the rude comments people have posted about this but people really trashed the area last summer with graffiti and garbage everywhere. I will let you know when they reopen.
As the article notes, the area might be closed temporarily while it is fully developed. There is also a note at the top of every page that places may be closed during the current situation. The article notes that there is only one parking space on public land, so I’m not entirely sure how large numbers of people are accessing the site. Would be better to limit the people to that one spot and tow/ticket anyone parked illegally elsewhere instead of closing down a great spot, even if it’s just temporarily.
Wish I’d read about this before I went up to Dingman’s Falls today; I might have checked it out. I did happen to spot two falls just off of Rt. 209 near there – I guess for the lack of a better name are called Twin Falls – at least that’s what the road is named. They may be part of the Smithfield Township park there. A pretty little set of falls, but kind of a challenge to photograph due to bank vegetation and nearby buildings. Have you been to this one?
I just spoke to the Township on this waterfall and as of now it is closed as construction is ongoing. They expect it to be open again in the fall of 2023. Looking forward to that so I can take some photos.
Great to hear they are finally doing some more work on it with a plan to open the land again. It’s a very cool spot.