The High Rocks hike at Ralph Stover State Park is a local’s favorite. The High Rocks trail follows along a (fenced) 200 foot sheer rock face cliff overlooking Tohickon Creek, eventually reaching the creek itself. As you hike along High Rocks, you might notice ropes leading off the cliff edge, it’s a popular spot for climbers. And as you look down into Tohickon Creek (Lenape for “Deer-Bone-Creek”), keep your eyes open for whitewater kayakers. It’ss a popular whitewater kayaking spot when spring rains flood it. Occasionally they release water from Lake Nockamixon, another popular time for kayakers. It’s a fun hike on many levels, and offers that quintessential Bucks County scenery that people drive miles for.
The park has an interesting history. The High Rocks section of Ralph Stover State Park was donated in 1956 by James A. Michener, author of books such as Alaska and Texas. You can walk the trails that he once enjoyed. The original park dates to 1931.
Getting to the Ralph Stover State Park High Rocks Hike
There are a few ways to start this hike. These hike directions start at a big lot with bathrooms. Be sure to use the address below. Map programs could take you to the other parking areas.
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This thing does everything: maps, GPX tracks, compass, barometer, altitude, heart rate, blood oxygen, fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and the list goes on. I keep a GPX route on the watch so I can quickly glance down and make sure I’m in the right place.
I load a few types of offline maps onto my smartphone when I need to interact with the map in detail. I also use it before my hikes as a planning tool for all kinds of things, including finding free government land to camp on. The benefits are many, I highly recommend it.
Don’t be caught out if your batteries die. Take a topo map with you on the trail and learn how to read it. Some people also print my guides out for use on the hike. I’m a map geek and I love to pour over maps and guide books when planning my next adventure.
Don’t just rely on a cell phone, especially if you are hiking in the backcountry.
The hike follows the cliffs above Tohickon Creek and then gently descends. Once you get to the creek, you go back the way you came.There’s a little climb in the beginning, then you gently descend along the cliff down to Tohickon creek.
Ralph Stover State Park High Rocks Hike Directions
The parking lot is pretty big. Use my trailhead address to get to this parking area. There’s a sign at the road into the lot, but no ‘official’ Google address for it.There are bathrooms in the parking lot, as well as a picnic area.The High Rocks hike starts at the bridge on the far end of the parking lot. Ignore the closed sign, it’s only for cars. Unless you weigh over 10 tons.The bridge is pretty cool. Head across it and make sure to look over the side at the creek.Go through the gate on the other side of the bridge and walk up the paved road.Right after you start up the road, there’s a trail leading to the creek on the right. Stay on the road.The road goes through a residential area. Keep your eyes open for cars.At about 0.5 miles, look for the hidden trail start on the right, after the sign.The start of the trail is easy to miss. This is what it looks like. There should be a yellow blaze but it might be faint.After a minute or two the trail becomes much more defined.Look for a yellow blaze as you continue.
A note about the blazes. There’s a white blaze, yellow blaze, and red dot blaze. The trails here used to be marked much better, but these days they’ve been spotty. In general you want to follow the yellow blaze, but these directions are more precise. Stick to these directions or the GPX file if in doubt.
At about .7 miles stay left on the upper cliff. The trail to the right goes down to the creek. Not for us on this hike.The trail is well defined. Continue hiking straight. You’ll see some yellow blazes again.Continue straight through the junction.The trail comes to a sign for the Argillite Overlook. Follow the arrow and make the hard right to the overlook.The hard right brings you down to the fence by the cliff.Head up to the edge of the fence.The views off of High Rocks are great. Take it all in.Continue hiking along the fence on the side of the cliff.As you hike this stretch, there are lots of view opportunities. Heed the signs and don’t go over the fence.You’ll start to see Tohickon Creek from the High Rocks Vista as you hike along the cliff.Keep your eyes on the ground. You’ll see ropes from the folks doing rock climbing.Eventually the trail turns left away from the cliff. Follow the trail.Soon after, the trail dead ends. Hike to the right.The trail meanders through the woods and starts to descend.When the trail splits just after 1 mile, stay right along the cliff.Continue down the trail as it continues downhill.At about 1.1 miles, bear to the right.Continue hiking downhill.At about 1.2 miles, the trail splits again. Stay to the left this time.Just after 1.3 miles, bear right at the split.The trail is well marked and continues downhill.Almost there! At about 1.5 miles you reach a big clearing. Make the hard right to head down to the creek.The trail goes steeply down to Tohickon Creek.You made it! This is Tohickon Creek. Look for fish in the crystal clear water. In addition to bass, catfish, and perch, the state stocks the creek with trout.Take a break, soak it in, and go back the way you came. Hope you enjoy the hike!
Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.
If you see trash on the trail, please pick it up and carry it out. Be a good egg and practice no trace principles.
