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How to Get to Springfield Falls in Mercer County, PA

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From the photos I had seen online, Springfield Falls in Mercer County looked like one of the most interesting waterfalls in Pennsylvania.

At roughly 20-feet high and 40-feet wide, Springfield Falls (also known as Leesburg Falls) was unique for having a width that nearly doubled its height. There are a few other waterfalls in Pennsylvania that have this same distinction (like the nearby Freedom Falls), but they are certainly uncommon.

While many waterfalls look best at times of high water (like Table Falls or Cucumber Falls), other waterfalls lose all of their character when photographed in very high water. Springfield Falls is one of the latter.

Visiting Springfield Falls in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Springfield Falls with almost too much water.

Normally, Springfield Falls offers a scenic rock face with several tiers of falls. However, if water levels are especially high, as they were during my first visit, the waterfall can lose a bit of its shape. Of course, if water levels are too low, that creates its own problems. However, no matter when you visit, this is still an impressive sight.

Springfield Falls is located only about 100 feet from the parking area on state game lands. Views overlooking the waterfall from above are quite easy to reach and offer a nice vantage point to see the falls. However, if you want to get down to the bottom of the waterfall, that’s another story.

A steep ravine is the only access to the falls. And, while it’s possible to get to the bottom, it certainly isn’t the easiest waterfall to reach, especially if you carry a camera and tripod like I do. However, with a bit of care climbing down the roots, rocks, and trees that make up the hillside, it’s possible to get to the best views of Springfield Falls.

Where is Springfield Falls in northwestern Pennsylvania?
Looking at Springfield Falls from the bank inside state game lands.

For those who do make it to the bottom, it’s worth noting that the land on the far side of the stream is owned by Cobblehaus Brewing. They have a beer garden in the back that provides great access to the waterfall. Please only access their land if you are a customer and only during their operating hours.

On the far side of the stream, there are the remains of Springfield Furnace, also known as Seth and Hill Furnace after the men that built it. Built in the mid to late 1830s, this iron furnace operated until 1862.

It closed due to a lack of resources to make charcoal for the blast furnace. According to sources, this furnace once had a very large waterwheel, 38 feet in diameter, that powered it.

Springfield Falls in Mercer County, PA
Springfield Falls from above.

Today, just a small portion of the foundations remain. Make sure to enjoy the ruins from a distance, as I believe the furnace sits on private property.

Another interesting feature is the natural spring located just upstream of the parking area. While this spring has signs on it indicating that it is not monitored for cleanliness, there was a local man filling up several buckets during my first visit to the area. Use caution if you opt to try it, however.

Overall, Springfield Falls is a beautiful waterfall to visit that offers natural beauty, some interesting history, and easy accessibility. This should be on the list of any lover of Pennsylvania waterfalls visiting northwestern PA.

How to get to Springfield Falls in Mercer County

Springfield Falls near Grove City, Pennsylvania
Springfield Falls as seen from the middle of Wolf Creek.

Getting to Springfield Falls in Mercer County is rather simple since it is located near the intersection of I-79 and I-80. No matter which way you come, you’ll find yourself on Highway 19.

If you’re driving south on Highway 19, those coming from I-80 or Mercer, you’ll want to turn left onto Leesburg Station Rd. If you’re driving north on Highway 19, from Grove City or I-79, you’ll turn right onto the same road.

After less than a quarter-mile, Leesburg Station road will make a nearly 90-degree turn, with Falls Road going straight. Take Falls Road for a few hundred feet until you cross over the small bridge over Wolf Creek.

The dirt parking area will be on your right as soon as you cross the bridge at approximately the following coordinates: 41.143807, -80.217518.

Springfield Falls from the beer garden at Cobblehaus at the Falls in Mercer County PA
Springfield Falls from the beer garden at Cobblehaus at the Falls.

From the parking area, cross over Falls Road and follow the path to the top of the waterfall. While you can’t see the waterfall from the road, you can hear it and can reach the ravine’s edge in less than a minute of walking down the path.

While visiting Springfield Falls, make sure you use caution at the ravine’s edge or if you decide to climb down to the stream below.

You can also access the opposite side of the stream by checking out the beer garden for Cobblehaus Brewing Company during their operating hours.

Want to see more of Pennsylvania’s best waterfalls? Check out our Pennsylvania Waterfalls page!

You can also check out other great places nearby including the Falling Run Nature Trail, Harlansburg Station Museum, Air Heritage Museum, and Daffin’s Chocolate Kingdom.

[Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]

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Great places to stay in Mercer County


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13 thoughts on “How to Get to Springfield Falls in Mercer County, PA”

  1. This was my old stomping grounds. Love it here. I have a couple pictures if you want. One of the falls and one of the stream back along the path downhill from the falls.

    Reply
  2. I have visited this falls many times through my life and I just love it! I went there as a teenager, an adult, and then took my daughter there. I have walked it down to where Hunter’s Run meanders it way into a slow moving creek. You have to be very cautious here. The trail can have deep drop offs on the sides,and walking down to the bottom of the falls could be done,but only if your in good shape. Years ago someone wanted to turn the nearby property into a type of inn with a dining area near the bottom of the falls.Many people thankfully stopped this. Bruno’s Diamond Jewelry did buy the property and sells jewelry made from the the ore found on the site of the falls. A historical excavation was done, and evidence of a mill was found here. I can’t remember exactly the type of mill or what exactly it was used for, but it did have to do with ore. I am overdue for a visit! P.S. Stay on the path.I remember seeing a snake long ago and it wasn’t a garter snake.

    Reply
  3. It is a beautiful falls but access has been largely destroyed by commercial ventures. I loved the place as a kid but would not bother with it any longer. There are to many wonderful falls with no restrictions on access.

    Reply
    • You can still access the falls without an issue. The far bank is off limits, but that doesn’t really impact the enjoyment of the falls, in my opinion. There are a lot of great waterfalls in the state, though. I do have to agree with you on that.

      Reply
    • The jewelry store is on a hill on the far side of the falls. While the falls and one bank are located on public property, the far side of the creek does have no trespassing signs.

      Reply
  4. I lived near the falls as a kid. People from all over would come to get water as it was the best around. Behind the falls is a cave. Tom and I spent a lot of hours fishing at the bottom of the falls. The last time I was there, I found my I name had been carved in a tree with an old friends from when we were kids. I have a large piece of the stone that they now make jewelry from. So many good memories from the place I call home.

    Reply
  5. Bruno Fine Jewelers sits overlooking the Springfield Waterfall and the Historic Springfield Iron Furnace. The Furnace took local Iron Ore and made Pig Iron which then could me made into many different items like Cast Iron Stoves or Farm Equipment just as an example. This furnace was the first in Mercer County and dates back to 1837-1862. Reported to have a 38 ft. waterwheel at the base of the waterfall to power blowing tubs forcing air into the Furnace to get it hot enough to melt the local Iron Ore. The byproduct (slag) which is quite Beautiful is what Bruno’s make into fine jewelry giving people a piece of history to enjoy. An ongoing Archaeological Dig by Professor John White has brought back a significant piece of history to our area. Not only do we have a Beautiful Waterfall but a Historic part of Mercer County.

    More information can be found at our website; brunojewelry.com

    Reply
  6. my aunt and uncle built the house up from the falls….childhood memories at its best. mary and hunce daumiller were their names.great house hearing the falls at night,best white noise.

    Reply
  7. Great post, Jim! That IS a great falls. And Larry is correct: that is an old blast furnace. I partipated in that dig with Dr. John White and crew. The furnace being on Mr. Bruno’s property assures that what has been restored remains so. Very interesting history involving those falls and particular part of the creek! Thanks for sharing, Jim.
    And hi, Larry!

    Reply
  8. Visited there as a teenager….never knew these falls existed till then. There was always some really good watercress across the road from the falls we would pick in early spring. Was a great place to explore before it was posted and became private property. I was born in raised in Harrisville just a few miles down the road from there. Wonderful memories <3

    Reply

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