Cliff Diving & Jumping in Pennsylvania
33 spots across 25 areas. Pick a town to explore, or get the app for the full map.
Pennsylvania cliff jumping revolves around old quarries, river gorges, and creek swimming holes. The Poconos and the Lehigh Valley hold flooded quarries with deep, clear water, while the western half of the state jumps the rivers — the Youghiogheny around Ohiopyle, the Slippery Rock Creek gorge at McConnells Mill, and the Ohio River country north of Pittsburgh. Around Philadelphia, the scene is smaller creek holes in the Wissahickon and the Delaware Water Gap upriver. Be aware: swimming and jumping are prohibited in many Pennsylvania state parks and enforced with fines, and quarry access is often private — so check signage and ownership before you commit. Water is warmest July through early September.
Allentown1 spot
Ashland2 spots
Baden1 spot
Berwick1 spot
Delta2 spots
Dingmans Ferry2 spots
East Stroudsburg1 spot
Easton2 spots
Fayetteville1 spot
Hamburg2 spots
Leetsdale1 spot
Linden1 spot
Malvern1 spot
Mifflinburg1 spot
Peach Bottom1 spot
Perkasie1 spot
Phoenixville1 spot
Pittsburgh1 spot
Pottstown1 spot
Quakertown1 spot
Reading1 spot
Scranton4 spots
Waterford1 spot
Wyncote1 spot
Wyomissing1 spot
Cliff jumping in Pennsylvania — FAQ
Where can you cliff jump in Pennsylvania?
The best-known areas are the flooded quarries of the Poconos and Lehigh Valley, the Youghiogheny River around Ohiopyle, Slippery Rock Creek at McConnells Mill, and creek swimming holes toward the Delaware Water Gap. Many spots sit on private or state-park land, so access varies spot to spot.
Is cliff jumping legal in Pennsylvania?
Often no — Pennsylvania state parks broadly prohibit swimming and jumping outside designated areas, and rangers do write citations. Quarries are frequently private property. CliffScout flags known restrictions, but always check posted signs and ownership before jumping.
When is the best time for swimming holes in Pennsylvania?
July through early September, when creeks and quarries are warmest and flows settle down. Spring water is high and cold, and quarry water stays chilly below the surface layer even in summer.