Choke Creek Falls Trail

Choke Creek Falls Trail has an excellent and fairly easy day-hike loop in the Pinchot State Forest. It explores streams, cascades, wetland meadows, diverse forests, and the beautiful Choke Creek Falls. The loop is about 4 miles long. Choke Creek Falls is located within the Thornhurst Tract of the forest.

If you are looking for a quick hike or a longer stroll through the forest, there are two ways to get there. The first is a 3/4 mile long out and back trail mostly on old access roads, the other is a 4-mile loop that takes you through a rhododendron tunnel, passes by wetlands, and through spruce and hemlock forests.

Choke Creek Falls is a popular spot for kids in the summer for swimming and rope swings. Getting to the falls in the morning is your best bet for a little quiet time – nothing beats coffee and waterfalls in the morning. The waterfall is about 20 feet in total height spread out over two drops. It’s at least as wide as it is tall.

Choke Creek Falls features a deep pool surrounded by rock ledges, rhododendrons, and pine trees. The falls themselves are about 20 feet high with two drops. The water depth varies greatly depending on the time of year and water flow – use caution when jumping in.

“Beautiful waterfalls along Choke Creek in an area recently purchased by Pinchot State Forest. The reroute of the Pinchot Trail now takes you right past these falls. It can be crowded at times as this is a fairly easy walk in from Sand Spring Rd, but if you get lucky you might just have it to yourself for a few minutes.”

Start at a pull-off parking area on Sand Springs or Phelps Road and walk down the road, turning right onto the orange-blazed Pinchot Trail. Reach a campsite at Butler Run. The Pinchot Trail turns left, and the yellow-blazed Butler Run Trail goes straight. To save the best scenery for the last half of the hike, go straight on the Butler Run Trail. This route also involves a little more vigorous climbing.

A great page to help you with directions is here.