Review: Ringing Rocks Park, Bucks County PA

Outdoor Ambiance: 10

Setting: High Forest, Several acre boulder field, easy hiking trail, impressive waterfall depending on recent rainfall.


Explorable Op's: A ton!


Difficulty: Tough exploring, Easy trail. The hiking trail is wide open and clear of roots and rocks for most of the trail. The trail is about a half mile long. Once you start the descent into the gorge the terrain gets steeper and rocks make a maze of the trail. The ringing rocks boulder field is for people who have some agility. The waterfall and the area surrounding it is also strewn with boulders. If you keep to the trail this is rather easy place to manuever and enjoy. Once you head onto the rocks and waterfall you need to realistic about abilities, especially in wet weather.


Facilities: Rustic. The parking lot is paved and their are plenty of picnic tables. The formal restrooms are closed and there is a port-o-potty in front of them. It's a bit less than comfortable inside.


Review: This is without a doubt one of the most spectacular natural settings to visit in Bucks County. Even if you are trekking with small children that can't get out to the boulder field or scale the side of the waterfall gorge, there is plenty to see. Our most recent trip started out with a picnic at one of the picnic tables. Max, 2 and a half years old, walked the path while Frank, just one year old, rode in the backpack. We made it down to the falls without too much trouble. Max does like to meander and I let explore for long as Frank's patience will allow. The day we went the falls were at about 50%. We took in the view from a boulder on a ledge just below the falls and then climbed back up stream to throw rocks, sticks and leaves in the creek. The whole area near the creek is loaded with small and large boulders so you need to be extremely careful and sure of yourself. After 20 minuteds Frank wanted to explore the creek and boulders more than I would let him and his mood turned quickly so we headed back. Max didn't want to make the climb back up the slope leading back to the boulder field but I was lucky enough to be able to trick him into walking most of the way by pretending to be in awe of every new boulder that came into view. Once we got to the ringing rocks Max had finally had a enough and I was stuck with Frank on my back and Max in my arms. But he really did a fantastic job considering his age. It's amazing how curiosity can spur stamina. We made it back to the car and we had a "treat" which was really just Max's juice. Frank doesn't need treats yet. We were there for about 2 hours and I think that is about normal if you travelling with kids under the age of five. If you are going with older kids you could easily spend and hour or more in the boulder field ringing rocks and another hour or more exploring the falls and the gorge. Max, Frank and I have only begun to explore this area and we're looking forward to making it part of a monthly or semi-monthly trip.


Recommendations: Bring a hammer to tap on the rocks. They really do ring! If you want to see the full force of the waterfall, go while it is raining or shortly after. It shakes the earth! Carry your cell phone on you in case you get hurt. It's not the kind of place you can easily limp out of. Avoid going alone.