Hells Hollow Falls is a 20-foot tiered cascade on Hell Run in McConnells Mill State Park, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. A short, level trail follows the creek past an old lime kiln to the falls, and the park rates it its easiest grade of hike.
The falls
Hell Run drops about 20 feet in three distinct steps, the tallest about 10 feet; the World Waterfall Database bases its figures on lidar data, calling the form steep tiered cascades. Older measurements put the tallest step at 12 feet. Lawrence County's 2025 visitor guide places the height at 15 feet.
Getting there
Hells Hollow Trail starts at the Hells Hollow parking lot, which has non-flush restrooms and picnic tables. The trail runs 0.5 mile, out-and-back, rated easiest and marked with yellow blazes. It follows and crosses Hell Run on footbridges to the lime kiln and the falls. Just before the second footbridge, the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail splits off. McConnells Mill State Park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.
When to go
The park is open year-round, and the county's visitor guide includes waterfall viewing among its year-round activities.
On site
The main trail is smooth and level, but the section by the waterfall can be slippery. Across McConnells Mill, numerous accidents on its smooth, often damp rocks have caused injuries and deaths; stay on the trail.
History and name
An old lime kiln stands beside the trail on the way to the falls. The origin of the name Hells Hollow isn't documented.
Nearby
Grindstone Falls is about 2.2 miles away, Breakneck Falls on Cheeseman Run about 2.8 miles, and Kildoo Falls on Kildoo Run about 3.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.