Rattlesnake Rock in Lycoming County, PA is a large and easily accessible swimming hole with an exciting rock jump into Pine Creek.
Rattlesnake Rock is a popular destination for swimming and rock jumping in the adventure-filled Pine Creek Gorge region. Rattlesnake Rock is a large outcropping at a slow-moving bend in Pine Creek about 1.7 miles southwest of the popular Blackwell boat launch. You can access Rattlesnake Rock from a large parking lot at 41.54075, -77.40533. From there, pick up the footpath leading to the Pine Creek Rail trail just past the latrines.
Cross the Pine Creek Rail Trail at 41.54008, -77.40578 and take the footpath to Rattlesnake Rock. During our mid-summer visit the weeds were encroaching on the narrow path but it was not overgrown. Watch out for poison ivy. If you encounter road leading to a boat launch, you went the wrong way.
Rattlesnake Rock is a large outcropping with multiple tiers and fissures that you need to navigate to traverse different sections of the formation. Again, be careful of the poison ivy that seems to be waiting for unobservant adventurers. Pine Creek moves slowly as it bends around the formation. During our visit, the water was eight to ten feet deep in spots. The best jumping spot is on the north side of the rock where there is about a ten-foot drop. Be careful to swim the area before you jump so you can identify the holes, because there are submerged rocks making certain parts unsafe to jump into.
Join us in the video below to learn how to find Rattlesnake Rock and see the jump location.
Rattlesnake Rock is so named because when it was first observed by European explorers, it was covered by a writhing mass of timber rattlesnakes sunning themselves. Unfortunately, we didn’t encounter any rattlesnakes, although they are prevalent in the area, and we’ve seen plenty on the Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail.
Rattlesnake Rock is conveniently located next to Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail. It would be an excellent refreshment from a long ride or after a day of hiking the numerous trails in the area. It is a popular spot with locals, so you may have company on nice summer days. The formation is large enough to set out towels and relax beach-style. Just be on the lookout for snakes and poison ivy. And as always, be sure to scout the water before jumping off the rock.
Pro tip: to maximize your adventure, we recommend camping at Leonard Harrison State Park and bundling your Pennsylvania Grand Canyon visit with these nearby adventures:
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
