• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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  • Areas closed or newly opened

    Childs Park opens May 25. Dingmans Falls, Blue Mt Lakes/Skyline and unpaved Old Mine roads are open. STILL CLOSED PA: Mt. Minsi spur trails closed due to falcon nesting; Hornbecks & Adams Trails closed; McDade Trail closed trail miles 24.5 to 27.5 More »

McDade Trail

 
McDade Trail is a 32-mile trail along the Pennsylvania side of the park. The trail passes through forested areas and farm fields and past views of the river and cliffs, Terrain varies from rugged foot trail to wide gravel paths. Trailheads provide access every 0.5 to 5.3 miles. The trail is open to hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and restricted pet-walking. No motorized vehicles are permitted.
 

Seasonal Restrictions
 The trail between Pittman Orchard and White Pines Trailhead is closed from spring until mid-August for resource protection; most of this section allows hiking only year-round. Please observe restrictions posted on bulletin boards at these trailheads.
River Road may close after snowfalls or heavy rain and windstorms.
Freeman Tract Road and Community Drive are township roads with no winter service

 

Pets
Pets are not permitted at beaches in summer.
Pets must be on a 6-foot leash.
Pets are not permitted from a point 1/4 mile north of the boat launch at the north end of Smithfield Beach to the first footbridge south of the canoe launch at the south end of Smithfield Beach from June 1 to Sept. 8 yearly. The rest of the year, pets may pass through Smithfield Beach.

 

Fees
There is no fee to use the trail.
Milford and Smithfield Beaches,and Bushkill Access require a fee in season to park. All other trailheads are free. Persons on the trail who stop and use the beaches must pay a $1.00 walk-in fee.
Some access points do not have trail parking.

 

History along McDade Trail
McDade Trail I: Hialeah to Turn/Owens Trailheads
 Lime Kilns near McDade Trail
II: Hogback to Hornbecks
III: Dingmans Campground to Milford Beach (revised)

 

Color Map of McDade Trail
McDade Trailhead s and GPS Coodinates with Mileposts

Did You Know?

The "AT" symbol routed on a wood sign on a tree.

... that the Appalachian Trail (AT) runs more than 25 miles through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The AT crosses the Delaware River and the Water Gap on a walkway on the Interstate-80 bridge. With bus service to New York and Philadelphia nearby, a hike on the AT is only a ride and a backpack away! More...