April 28, 2024 – East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Difficulty: Easy

Length: Approximately 0.5 mile

Max elevation: 582 ft.– total elevation gain approximately 87 ft.

Route type: Out and back

Map: None available at this time.

Trailhead parking: 274 Marshalls Creek Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302

Portable bathroom on site – Paved parking lot with 13 spaces plus 1 handicapped spot.

Please note: Waterfall conditions are dynamic, changing with weather and seasons. Stay on the trail when possible and be cautious of your surroundings, like slippery or rocky terrain, fast moving water, or steep drops.

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Overview:

This picturesque 17-acre park showcases Marshall’s Falls, which drops through a narrow rock chasm, into a small and narrow gorge surrounded by 25-foot rock walls.

An ADA compliant path accessible to all visitors leads from the parking area to the bridge near the falls.

Marshall’s Falls Park officially opened to the public on Friday, April 12, 2024.

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History:

Marshalls Creek is a 13.3-mile-long tributary of Brodhead Creek in the Pocono Mountains. Variant names were “Marshall Creek” and “Marshall’s Creek.” Marshalls Creek is said to be named after Edward Marshall, the successful walker in the “Walking-Purchase” of 1737, by which the Lenape Indians were cheated out of a vast hunting ground.

Beginning in the late 19th century, the property, which was owned by the Congdon Family, functioned as “Hygiene Park,” a hotel and resort (built in 1888) that sought to attract travelers looking to enjoy the beautiful scenery and natural environment surrounding the house.

After the turn of the century, Hygiene Park stopped promoting health and became a regular resort named “Titania House” after the queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titania House was able to accommodate up to 35 guests. It continued operation until sometime in the early 20th century, after which time it was used as a “finishing school” for girls.

Smithfield Township purchased the land back in 2008, just off of Marshalls Creek Road. Work to install an access trail and boardwalk crossing to the falls started in 2023.

The township removed three buildings from the 17-acre property to make room for a much-needed parking lot. Previously there was only roadside parking for one car. The new paved parking lot has 13 spaces plus 1 handicapped spot. There is also a Porta-Potty in the parking lot.

In addition, they installed sidewalks and curbs for safe pedestrian access, paved walking trails, signage with historical information and even created a rain garden. The township plans to expand the trails in the park in future phases.

Marshall’s Falls Park officially opened to the public on Friday, April 12, 2024.

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Hike Overview:

I tried visiting Marshall’s Falls in 2021, but couldn’t find a place to park. Then I read about the park opening to the public on April 12, 2024. I decided it was time to go check it out. Although more of a walk than a hike. It was definitely worth visiting. Since the park is small and the ride to the park was 1-1/2 hours, we visited several other waterfalls in the area. Resica Falls is about a 10 minute drive from Marshall’s Falls Park, so we stopped by there as well. We also stopped by Dingman’s Falls.

We arrived at the park at about 8:30am on a Sunday morning and the parking lot was empty. It was nice to have the park to ourselves. When we were leaving, a car pulled in the lot. 

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The Hike:  

At the north end of the parking lot, follow the paved path as it gently goes downhill. 

In a short distance, the path reaches a bench and an elevated boardwalk that descends the now steeper grade on switchbacks.

At the base of the descent, the path reaches a wooden footbridge that spans Marshalls Creek. Proceed ahead to the bridge and you will see the falls on your left between the high rock walls.

The best view of Marshall’s Falls is from the center of the footbridge.

Marshall’s Falls is listed at between 15-20 feet tall, but its unique drop through the narrow rock chasm, creates a dramatic waterfall that is framed by the gorge walls that surround it. 

After returning to the parking lot, we drove the 6 miles (9 minutes) to the Resica Falls Scout Reservation to view another easy to get to waterfall.

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Resica Falls:

Address: 1200 Resica Falls Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18302

Resica Falls is a picturesque roadside waterfall located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The falls are located along Bushkill Creek and is part of the Resica Falls Scout Reservation, but is open to the public for viewing. Its easy accessibility makes it a favorite for both locals and tourists seeking to experience the magnificence of a Poconos waterfall.

The parking area is located across from the Scout camp office, just past the entrance from Resica Falls Road.

Visitors to Resica Falls should be aware that while the waterfall viewing area is open to the public, the rest of the Scout reservation is not.

It’s important to respect these boundaries and enjoy the falls from the designated viewing area only.

Just follow the path past the entrance to the falls and across the catwalk.

The presence of a protective fence around the viewing area ensures the safety of visitors.

Resica Falls at approximately 25-ft. high and 60-ft. across, is quite a sight, depending on the volume of water.

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Review:

Marshall’s Falls Park is a beautiful park and it was litter free on the day of our visit. Please, let’s keep it that way. Definitely worth a visit, but I would combine it with other waterfalls in the area, of which there are many.

Resica Falls is a good place to stop if you just want to see a really nice waterfall. It’s a very short walk to the viewing area and the rest of the property is off limits to visitors. 

Below are a few waterfalls that are in close proximity to Marshall’s Falls and Resica Falls.

• Upper Hornbecks Creek Trail
• Lower Hornbecks Creek Trail
• Waterfalls of Pike County, Pennsylvania

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