A boulder field of mysteriously resonant rocks and Bucks County’s tallest waterfall makes Ringing Rocks Park a truly remarkable adventure destination.
The Striking Sounds of the Ringing Rocks Boulder Field
Ringing Rocks Park is an outstanding destination hidden among the winding back roads of Bucks County, PA less than a mile from the Delaware River. The proximity of parking lot to the boulder field and the waterfall makes this an excellent adventure for families and adventurers of all ages. The boulder-strewn picnic area at the park entrance gives an immediate indication of the terrain, but the trail is wide and well-worn. Remember to bring your hammer!
After a few minutes’ walk, the trail opens up to the boulder field. Boulder hopping across this field would be fun in its own right, and we were brimming with anticipation to start exploring and playing the rocks. But if you don’t like rock scrabbling as much as we do, you don’t necessarily have to go deep into the boulder field to find resonating rocks. There are plenty that play near the edge and there is a loop trail that encircles the boulder field. The most promising rocks are marked by wear and divots from years of sonorous strikes.
Don’t miss the video of us playing the rocks at the bottom of the post.
Let’s Explore Bucks County’s Tallest Waterfall
As if the ringing rocks boulder field wasn’t enough, just a few minutes down the trail is the beautiful and aptly named High Falls Creek that tumbles over a rock slab creating Bucks County’s tallest waterfall. The trail leads directly to the top of the waterfall. But before diving in (figuratively) we worked our way south of the waterfall (upstream) across a field of moss-accented boulders to explore the slides and cascades.
Just upstream of the waterfall, the High Falls Creek is narrow enough for adventurers to stretch across while maintaining dry feet. Farther upstream there are several suitable crossings via rock hopping. Rock shelves create small waterfalls upstream of the main waterfall. Note the curious rock fissures perpendicular to the stream.
He is a view of the waterfall from the east side of the stream (opposite side form the way you came from the boulder field). A family was enjoying lunch on the rock bed next to the waterfall when we first arrived.
We continued past the ledge where the photo above was taken and carefully made our way down the slope. Watch out for wet spots. A little downstream of the waterfall there is a gentle ramp-like grade that leads down to the rock stream bed that saves you from climbing down the wet, stepped rock bank. We carefully made our way up the stream bed reveling in the beauty of the crescent of cascades leading up to the waterfall. You could walk right into the waterfall crashing on the boulders if you were so inclined. From the bottom of the falls, we crossed boulder-to-boulder back over to the other side up where we started. Join us on the journey recorded in the video at the end of the post.
We were able to make a compete loop around the waterfall. One of the things that makes this waterfall an exceptional adventure destination is that its beauty can be experienced from perspectives 360 degrees around the waterfall. We especially enjoyed walking up the cascades and getting close enough to touch the waterfall. Join us in the video below.
The strangeness, fun, and beauty of the Ringing Rocks boulder field make it worthy of your bucket list. I highly recommend it, especially for families. We planned this adventure primarily to see and hear for ourselves the famous resonating rocks. We thought the waterfall would be a nice bonus. We were happily surprised by the beauty and size of the waterfall; it would actually be worth the trip itself. The rocks and the waterfall together make Ringing Rocks Park a must-do adventure.
See the map below from the trailhead kiosk.
Parking is at: 40.56013, -75.12880.
While you are in the area, check out these nearby adventures:
Also, be sure to check out our other adventures.
