Kilgore Falls: Waterfalls, rock climbing, swimming
Put Kilgore Falls waterfall and swimming hole combo on your bucket list for a summer of epic adventures near York, Pa.
It's summer and your friends are clogging your social media feeds with photos from their beach vacation. Take them down a peg with a selfie under a waterfall and action shots of you jump off rocks at Kilgore Falls. Spend the day exploring this oasis, less than an hour drive from York.
Water type: Waterfall, wading pool.
Distance: .4 miles from the parking lot
Trail Condition: This trail is well traveled and pretty wide. Word to the wise, on a wet day it could be slippery.
Bathrooms: None. Nature is your bathroom.
Vibe: Families with young kids, adult couples and teenagers all co-exist happily here.
Parking: The lot can fit 20 to 25 cars if people park nicely.
Cell Service: Excellent.
Footwear: Sneakers for the trail, water shoes for the falls.
GPS Address: 1026 Falling Branch Road, Pylesville, Maryland.
GPS Coordinates: 39.689825,-76.422306
Slather up with sunscreen then find the trail at the back of the Rocks State Park Falling Branch Area parking lot. There's a wide and well-worn path heading right and a narrow path that shoots straight down. They rejoin at the bottom of the hill so take either one. After the trails combine stick with the well worn path as it turns right over a foot bridge.
The sound of rushing water and swimmers lets you know you're heading the right way. At .3 miles veer left when the path forks and follow it until you come to Falling Branch. Choose from two sets of stepping stones to cross over the water. You'll get your first look at the falls here but wait until you've made it across to soak it all in — those stones take concentration.
Set down your towel and trade your sneakers for water shoes, it's time to explore. There's something for everyone here but be aware, there are no life guards —swimmers and jumpers do so at their own risk.
Kids can splash around in a shallow pool that forms further from the falls. The large rock formations that create the falls make this way cooler than your average kiddie pool.
As you get closer to the falls the water gradually goes from shin to waist deep. Get drenched under the waterfall or jump off one of two smaller rocks into the deepest section of the pool.
Once you've cooled off, follow the path and see the falls from up top. Be careful here, wet travelers can make the trail slippery. A steep stone staircase takes you up to the top of the falls where there's another shallow pool. Wave to the tiny swimmers who, from above, look like ants.
Not to sound like your mom, but seriously, be careful up here. It's a long way up and it's easy to lose your footing.
The most adventurous, or crazy depending on who you ask, will find their challenge jumping off the highest point on the other side of the falls. I didn't make the jump — there's a rock there that's too close for comfort — but the people I saw taking the plunge looked like they had a blast.
Dry off and enjoy a picnic on the rocks. Make sure you take photos before you leave. You need proof you swam at Maryland's second-highest vertical drop waterfall.
Words of wisdom: This is a popular spot so if you're able, explore here during the week rather than the weekend. I went on a Friday in June and the parking lot was packed at lunch time. Hike in some snacks or a picnic lunch, but remember to hike out your trash and leave the glass at home. Less than an hour drive from York, this natural beauty should be on your bucket list for an epic summer of adventures.
About the series:
This is part of a series on swimming holes. Read more about tubing and splashing in the Yellow Breeches Creek or hiking in to a hidden pool on Muddy Creek.