PRVCA Explore Magazine PRVCA Explore PA 2019 | Page 8

Deer Leap Falls, Dingman’s Ferry, PA
George W. Childs Recreation Site
Silver Lake Road, Dingman’s Ferry, PA 18328
[phone] Dry Run Falls
6735 Route 220, Dushore, PA 18614
[phone]
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains in Pike County a few miles
away from the Dingman and Silverthread falls, the George W.
Childs Park was originally a state park but has been a territory
in the National Park Service-operated Delaware Valley Water
Gap since 1983. The property is originally named for newspaper
publisher George William Childs, whose widow deeded the land
to the Commonwealth in 1912. Although the name can be deceiving, Dry Run Falls in Loyalsock
State Forest is one of the more unique waterfalls within the
state.
The property contains three majestic waterfalls, including the
56-foot tall Fulmer Falls, Deer Leap Falls and Factory Falls, which
was given its name because it is situated next to the ruins of
a 19th century woolen mill. Constructed by Joseph Brooks in
1826 as a three-story stone structure, the mill employed 80
people and converted raw materials shipped from Philadelphia
into finished products. Although the mill was abandoned when
Brooks passed away in 1832, the remnants are still visible.
With all of these waterfall watching areas situated in the Pocono
Mountain region, campers have nearly two dozen camping facilities
to choose from when planning a visit.
NOTE: Due to winter
storms, the NPS
closed Dingman’s Falls
and Childs Recreation
Area for 2018 and
intend to have the
territories open
again in 2019. Please
call the NPS at (570)
426-2452 or visit
the organization’s
Facebook page for
information before
planning a visit.
Dingman’s Falls
8 | EXPLORE Pennsylvania 2019
Located roughly two miles from route 87, this waterfall features
two separate streams separated by rock formations. The falls
cascade down roughly 20 feet of rock formations into a stream
below. Not only is this waterfall peaceful and attractive – espe-
cially during fall foliage – it is also easily accessible, with parking
located a mere 50 feet from the water.
Although the state forest does not have camping facilities for
recreational vehicles, backpack camping is permitted while hiking
along state forest trails.
Freedom Falls, Venango County
Situated a few miles to the southwest of the Alleghany National
Forest, Freedom Falls in Venango County gives sight seekers
the rare opportunity to take in a waterfall and the remnants of a
furnace.
Located on the Shull Creek near the Alleghany River confluence,
this waterfall is roughly 50 feet wide and 20 feet tall and con-
tains water flowing from two separate areas – with water taking
a direct drop down on the right-hand side while cascading down
a series of steps on the opposite side.
About a football field away from Freedom Falls sits Rockland
Furnace. The furnace, which was added to the National Register
of Historic Places in 1991, was built in 1832 by Andrew McCaslin
and used as an iron forge until 1854.
Since only non-paved roads lead to the waterfall and the furnace
sight seekers will want to use caution when visiting this site.