The Double Run Nature Trail at World’s End State Park in Sullivan County, PA is a popular gorge hike with easy access to many beautiful waterfalls that is perfect for families
The Double Run Nature Trail is home to one of World’s End State Park’s most popular waterfalls, Cottonwood Falls. Cottonwood Falls is beloved for good reason, and the Double Run Nature Trail exceeded expectations for both quantity and quality of waterfalls in a beautiful gorge setting.
The first waterfall is just a few hundred feet from the trailhead. This one is an exquisite multi-tiered, multi-channel waterfall cutting through the rock slab.
Here is a view looking down the sylvan gorge from the top of the waterfall.
From the first waterfall continue until you encounter a wooden footbridge. Cross over to a fun area where the branches of Double Run converge. There are multiple footbridges crossing the streams and earthen mound and grades presumably for old logging roads. The trail splits and forms a loop. The left fork leads to an excursion up the gorge then back down a little upstream of Cottonwood Falls. If you want to see the waterfalls without the workout, take the right fork across the footbridges.
We opted for the left fork which led through some older growth trees then crossed a plateau on the edge of the gorge. After about 0.2 miles following the contour of the gorge, the trail descended via a switchback and Trex steps to a wooden footbridge across the west branch of Double Run.
The wooden footbridge crosses immediately above a first waterfall. But first we turned left after crossing the footbridge to see what was upstream. We found some cool cascades sheeting over rock slabs.
Once the trail began ascending to World’s End Road, we backtracked to the wooden footbridge from which we just came. There is a waterfall immediately downstream. With care, you can walk down to it. As a point of reference, note the footbridge in the background of the photo below.
Just a short walk downstream, you come upon Cottonwood Falls from the top. Of course the photos don’t do it justice. Be sure to check out the video near the bottom of the post.
Here are more cascades on the west branch of Double Run. The waterfall peeking in the background is Cottonwood Falls.
But wait; there’s more! Just downstream is a rocky chute through the ravine that cascades into a pool.
Double Run is the trail that keeps on giving. This waterfall slides down the step-like shelves to the slab creek bed.
What a landscape from the top of the last waterfall!
The final waterfall is the tallest after Cottonwood Falls. We love the unusual cubic shape as the water breaks over the rock into dual streams. It is reminiscent of Hector Falls in Allegheny national Forest (the subject of a future adventure) on a smaller scale. What a way to end an excellent adventure.
Overall the trail was 1.5 miles. There are opportunities to extend the adventure via multiple links with the extensive Loyalsock State Forest trail system.
Parking is at 41.46591, -76.57861.
There is no cell service in the area, so we recommend downloading any necessary maps in advance of your trip.
The Double Run Nature Trail is an excellent opportunity to explore the gorge and see multiple excellent waterfalls via a short, easy hike. As such, we encountered many families with young children during the trip – so get the family out there. If you want more exercise you can take the loop up the side of the gorge as shown in the map above.
Looking to stay in the area? We highly recommend World’s End State Park. Check out our Complete World’s End State Park Camping Review.
Want more? Check out these other nearby adventures:
- Don’t Miss the Loyalsock Canyon Vista and Rock Garden
- Explore the Giant Boulder Formations of Cold Run
- Up and Over the Loyalsock Gorge Cliffs on the High Rock Trail
- A Perfect Picnic Spot on Top of a Waterfall at Dry Run Falls
- A Waterfall and a Swim at the Most Unusual Haystacks Formation
Also, be sure to check out our other adventures.
