Experience a stay at the historic Cottage at Howard Falls in Girard. Located above Howard Falls, the largest waterfall in Northwestern PA, this cozy cottage features a spacious, open kitchen and dining room, a cozy living room, and a lower-level bedroom with a walkout patio offering stunning views of the Falls. Falls Run, which flows behind the cottage, cascades 50 feet over Howard Falls before joining Elk Creek, just two miles to the north.
This delightful cottage serves as a perfect retreat for guests. It includes one bedroom with a full-size bed, a well-equipped bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and charming amenities throughout. The property is ideal for a relaxing getaway, allowing you to fully enjoy your time in the countryside.
Please note that the bedroom is located on the lower level and is accessible via a spiral staircase. We do not recommend booking a stay for guests with mobility issues. Access to the base of Howard Falls is not available. Additionally, the cottage is a duplex, with the south side rented to full-time residents.
Learn more about Howard Falls at Howardfalls.org.
Falls Run, the stream that feeds Howard Falls, is an intermittent stream whose flow varies considerably with recent rainfall and weather conditions. During wet periods, the stream can swell and send a substantial volume of water over the falls, while extended dry weather can reduce the flow significantly. Howard Falls, however, never goes completely dry. A natural spring located just above the falls provides a continuous source of water, ensuring there is always at least a trickle flowing across the face of the falls.
Curious what the falls look like today? A live, or close-to-live, view of Howard Falls can be found on the homepage of HowardFalls.org or on the Howard Falls YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HowardFalls-y1c.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4709104vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Girard
Located in Girard, this cottage is in a rural area. Splash Lagoon and Over Lake Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Erie and Asbury Woods Nature Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Sox Harrison Stadium or Erie Sports Center. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including winery tours.
Whispering Woods Golf Course - 15 min drive - 19.9 km
Splash Lagoon - 18 min drive - 24.9 km
Getting around
Erie Station - 24 min drive
Erie, PA (ERI-Erie Intl.) - 21 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 14 min drive
Sheetz - 14 min drive
Subway - 13 min drive
Wendy's - 12 min drive
American Legion Post 742 - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Cottage at Howard Falls pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Cottage at Howard Falls?
As of 25 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Cottage at Howard Falls on 14 Dec 2026 start from AU$340, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The Cottage at Howard Falls?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Cottage at Howard Falls?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Cottage at Howard Falls?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Cottage at Howard Falls located?
Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Platea Borough Hall, Battles Estate and Cannon Park. Girard Township Town Hall and Girard Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Clean, comfortable, cozy living, dining, and bed room. Sumptuous snack basket! Clean bathroom with good hot water supply. Surrounded by heavily wooded area with a waterfall at the back. We spent most of our time just staying put!
We were just passing through the area for one evening and didn't want to stay at a hotel. Just a short jump off of the highway and we were in a wonderful and relaxing space. The cottage was very clean and comfortable. The waterfall was such a peaceful sound to fall asleep to and we got to see a bear!
A truly unique place. Very clean, comfortable with a much appreciated snack basket and wine in the fridge. Beautiful view of the falls and an overall relaxing atmosphere
We had a wonderful stay at The Cottage at Howard Falls. The cottage was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The peaceful setting around the falls provided beautiful scenery and a quiet escape from everyday life. Everything we needed was available, and the property was exactly as described. We especially enjoyed sitting outside and taking in the natural surroundings. If you're looking for a cozy getaway with a unique and relaxing atmosphere, I would highly recommend staying here. We would definitely return for another visit.
Place was nice and quiet. Peaceful. Well stocked with the things u need to cook. Water views are outstanding. The rain that moved through made the falls amazing. The sounds of the waterfall were great. Place is wonderful. great weekend to unwind from the busy city. Host was fantastic in responding, was even very thoughtful about the balloon for my birthday. Thanks so much for a wonderful time. Definitely will be back. Loved it.
Excellent location next to Howard Falls made for beautiful views of the surroundings. The cottage itself was very clean and quite cozy. The host left a well stocked kitchen for cooking at the cottage.However with our stay we were plauged by constant wifi problems. The area has very poor cell service (we used AT&T) so Internet access was extremely limited, which may be a good thing for those wanting to disconnect. We had an issue with the bed frame not
CAPITAL C--CHARMING! You can feel yourself relaxing as soon as you park, and being able to fall asleep listening to the crickets and the waterfall was beyond lovely. This place is SO well-appointed and clean, and even included a great snack basket and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY balloon for me! Great water pressure and super hot water. My hubby really notices cleanliness at properties and this one was super clean! Plenty of coffee and tea options and there was even half-n-half in the fridge. The spiral staircase is cool, just go slow the first time or two and you'll get it. (We liked going down backwards, it felt more comfortable for us.) Very comfortable bedding and like I said, SO peaceful. We didn't play any, but there were lost of games like SCRABBLE and GUESS WHO available, and books aplenty. We easily signed into our Netflix acct. It was rainy, so we couldn't spend time outside which really bummed me out ... if I ever run away, my hubby just might find me here! Easy drive into Erie and Presque Isle. We will definitely be back! 5 stars!
What a wonderful place to hang out with your bestie! The cottage was welcoming, comfortable and accessible. The view is breathtaking and the sound of the falls was so soothing! Thank you for making this tripwith my bestie so memorable
Perfect for a weekend getaway. Very private and cozy. Host was very responsive and left us a surprise or two! Would easily recommend to anyone looking for a cozy getaway.
This location was beautiful, very clean, welcoming and peaceful. Nicely decorated, smelled great, and very well maintained. We had a great time enjoying the scenery and playing the available board games. Was secluded but not too far away from a nice little city. 10/10.
This truly is a gem, an oasis away from home, with a waterfall right in your backyard. The cottage is clean, wonderfully decorated, and well maintained. The description is accurate, with the bedroom in the lower level, walking down a metal spiral staircase. The view is spectacular, and very tranquil. Also the host puts out a wonderful complimentary snack basket, and a bottle of wine in the frig for guests to enjoy, which is so thoughtful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
About the host
Hosted by Laura Howard
For more than 185 years, the Howard family has served as stewards of Howard Falls and the surrounding Falls Run Gorge. Since the family's arrival in the late 1830s, seven generations have lived on and cared for this remarkable landscape, helping to preserve its forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and natural beauty. Today, through the Howard Falls Irrevocable Trust, the family continues its commitment to protecting over 200 acres of the gorge so future generations can experience one of northwestern Pennsylvania's most unique natural treasures. Read more about our story at HowardFalls.org.
What makes this property unique
A stay at the Cottage at Howard Falls offers something incredibly rare: the opportunity to experience a private waterfall as your backyard. Perched at the edge of more than 200 acres of protected woodland in the Falls Run Gorge Natural Heritage Area, the cottage combines the tranquility of a secluded nature retreat with the convenience of being less than 25 minutes from downtown Erie, Presque Isle State Park, Waldameer, and the region’s restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Here, you can spend the morning listening to the falls from your window and be exploring Erie’s best destinations just minutes later.