About this spot
Dunnfield Creek Falls is a small multi-tier cascade in the Dunnfield Creek Natural Area of Worthington State Forest, reached by an easy half-mile walk on the Appalachian Trail/Dunnfield Creek Trail from the Route 80 exit 4 parking area. Maps and hikers label the plunge pool below it a swimming hole, and it's a popular rest stop for AT through-hikers cooling off in warmer months. Water is cold, spring-fed, and flow drops to a trickle by fall, so the pool can be too shallow to jump into for much of the year. This spot isn't on the National Park Service's list of explicitly banned swim locations nearby, but there's no lifeguard, signage, or depth marker, and submerged rock is a real risk — wade in and check depth before jumping.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.