Download
Preview
Add to list
More
1.2 km
~18 min
38 m
Out and Back
“In Nay Aug Park, a brief wander delivers roaring gorge drama—just mind slick spray, stairs, and crowds.”
This is a short, waterfall-and-gorge walk inside Scranton’s largest city park, with big scenery packed into a small distance. Even though the total distance is only about 1 km (0.6 mi) and the net elevation gain is close to 0 m (0 ft), it often feels “medium” because the route includes stairs/ramps, short steeper pitches, wet rock spray near overlooks, and crowd navigation on nice days.
Best “trailhead” landmark: the main Nay Aug Park entrance by the Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry Street, Scranton, PA 18510. (everhart-museum.org)
From this area you can pick up the park paths that lead toward the gorge overlooks and the falls.
Expect a mix of paved park paths and compacted/gravel footpaths as you move from the museum/upper park area toward the gorge viewpoints. The gorge area is developed with platform overlooks rather than requiring scrambling, but the approaches can include short stair sections and pinch points where people stop for photos.
A good way to budget time: - Moving time: 15–25 minutes for 1 km (0.6 mi) at an easy pace. - Realistic visit time: 45–90 minutes once you add stops at overlooks, the treehouse area, and the falls viewpoints.
The signature feature is Nay Aug Gorge, cut by Roaring Brook, with Nay Aug Falls dropping into the rocky chasm. The park’s gorge experience is built around the Davis Trail access and a series of overlook platforms that give you multiple angles into the canyon and toward the waterfall. (nayaugpark.org)
Because the gorge walls are steep and the creek corridor funnels sound, you’ll often hear the water before you see it—especially after rain or spring snowmelt. In autumn, the overlooks are popular for foliage views into the gorge. (nayaugpark.org)
This is an urban-forest pocket, so wildlife sightings are usually the “city-edge” mix: - Birds: songbirds in the canopy; raptors occasionally riding thermals above the gorge. - Mammals: squirrels and chipmunks are common; deer are possible in quieter hours. - Plants: expect typical northeastern PA hardwoods and understory plants; near the gorge, shaded, moist microclimates can support mosses and ferns on rock faces.
Stay on established paths—gorge-edge vegetation can hide loose soil and undercut ground near drop-offs.
Even on a short route, this area demands attention:
Nay Aug Park’s gorge and waterfall are significant enough to be recognized as a National Natural Landmark (often referenced as one of Pennsylvania’s designated
Surfaces
Ground
Unknown
Gravel
User comments, reviews and discussions about the Nay Aug Falls, Pennsylvania.
average rating out of 5
0 rating(s)