Hiking

The Red Dot Trail's stairs are the beginning of a physically challenging trail. Please come prepared with necessities like hiking boots, extra water, and sunscreen.

NPS/Michael Cuff

A Trail For Every Sole

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers over 150 miles of trails of various difficulty levels. From wheelchair accessible trails, like Dingmans Falls boardwalk trail, to strenuous hikes, like the Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail, there is a perfect adventure for everyone.

When getting ready for a woodsy adventure, remember hiking safety protocols. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear with soles made for hiking, bring water for all hikers and pets, and leave no trace when recreating in the park.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation encompasses more than 70,000 acres with varying weather patterns. When planning a hike, always check the local weather before and during your visit.

Important Parking Information

Parking lots for our most popular trails like Mt. Tammany, Mt. Minsi, Raymondskill Falls, Dingmans Falls, Hackers Falls in Pennsylvania, and Buttermilk Falls in New Jersey, are usually full by 9:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays, during the spring to fall seasons.

Avoid crowded trailheads by hiking early on weekends, enjoying the quieter weekdays, or choosing a less traveled trail, such as Conashaugh Trail System in Pennsylvania, or Coventry Pond Trail in New Jersey.

If you have any questions or want more infomation, call our park headquarters at [phone]. You can also check our Facebook page on summer weekends for real time updates.

 

Park Trails

 

Hiking on less popular trails during the cooler months can help you avoid crowds.

NPS Photo/D.Mohr

Northern Trails

Trail Name	Miles	Rating*	Highlights	Status
Buchanan	1.1	E-M	forest	OPEN
Childs Park	1.4	E-M	forest, waterfalls, history	CLOSED
Cliff	2.8	M	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Conashaugh View	8.7	M-D	forest	OPEN
Dingmans Creek	0.4	E	forest, waterfalls	OPEN
Hackers	1.4	M	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Lower Hornbecks Creek	1.9	E-D	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Upper Hornbecks Creek	0.8	M-D	forest, waterfall	OPEN
McDade Recreation	31.0	E-D	forest, fields, river	OPEN **
Milford Knob	1.3	M-D	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Pond Loop	0.7	E	forest, pond	OPEN
Quarry Path	0.5	M-D	forest	OPEN
Raymondskill Creek	0.3	M-D	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Upper Ridge Road	2.5	E-M	forest	OPEN

E = Easy
M = Moderate
D = Difficult
** Note: The section of the McDade Trail between the Pittman Orchard and Conashaugh trailheads is closed annually between February and July for important resource protection (Nesting Eagles and Raptors).

 

Trails can vary from easy walks to strenuous hikes. Make sure to plan your trip accordingly!

NPS Photo

Central Trails

Trail Name	Miles	Rating*	Highlights	Status
Appalachian	28.0	E-M-D	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Blue Mountain Lake	5.9	E-M	forest, lake	OPEN
Buttermilk Falls	1.4	D	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Coppermine	2.0	M-D	forest, history	OPEN
Coventry Pond	0.9	E-M	forest, pond	OPEN
Crater Lake	1.6	E-M	forest, lake	OPEN
Donkeys Corner	1.8	M-D	forest, stream	OPEN
Fossil	1.3	M	forest, fossil	OPEN
Hamilton Ridge	2.8	E-M	forest	OPEN
Hemlock Pond	1.0	E	forest, pond	OPEN
Hidden Lake	1.9	E	forest, lake	OPEN
Kaiser	2.0	M-D	forest	OPEN
McDade Recreation	31.0	E-M-D	forest, fields, river	OPEN
Military Road	1.1	M	forest, history	OPEN
Orchard	0.5	M-D	forest	OPEN
Pioneer	2.5	E-M	forest	OPEN
Railway Avenue	0.4	E	forest, history	OPEN
Rattlesnake Swamp	2.6	E-M	forest, wetland	OPEN
Ridgeline	3.2	M	forest	OPEN
Scenic Gorge	2.0	M	forest	OPEN
Toms Creek	0.8	E	forest, stream	OPEN
Tumbling Waters	2.8	M-D	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Two Ponds	1.5	E	forest, pond	OPEN
Van Campens Glen	1.5	M	forest, waterfall	OPEN
Walpack Ridge	3.0	M	forest, pond	OPEN

E = Easy
M = Moderate
D = Difficult

 

Knowing where you are, where you want to go, and the best way to get there is an important part of planning for your trip!

NPS Photo/C. Finneran

Southern Trails

Trail Name	Miles	Rating*	Highlights	Status
Appalachian	28.0	E-M-D	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Arrow Island	0.9	M	forest	OPEN
Beulahland°	1.3	M	forest	OPEN
Douglas°	1.6	D	forest	OPEN
Dunnfield Creek°	3.5	M	forest, stream	OPEN
Garvey Springs°	1.2	D	forest	OPEN
Holly Springs°	0.4	M	forest	OPEN
McDade Recreation	31.0	E-M-D	forest, field, river	OPEN
Mt. Tammany (Red Dot)°	1.2	D	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Pahaquarry (Blue Blaze)°	1.7	D	forest, scenic vista	OPEN
Rockcores°	2.7	M	forest	OPEN
Slateford Loop	2.5	E-M	forest, history	OPEN
Turquoise°	1.1	E-M	forest, scenic vista	OPEN

E = Easy
M = Moderate
D = Difficult
° = This trail is located in Worthington State Forest

 

 

 

The MCTA Pocono Pony Hiker Shuttle is a great alternative to trying to find parking at our most popular trails. Don't miss the bus! Click on the photo for more details

NPS/Michael Cuff

Hiker Shuttle Information

Many of our most popular trails become overwhelmed with visitors on weekends and holidays. These high visitation days lead to extremely limited parking. To ensure all of our visitors have a chance to experience these popular sites, we have shuttles running from auxillary parking areas to the trailheads and river accesses.


The Hiker Shuttle is provided through a partnership between the National Park Service and the Monroe County Transportation Authority. To learn more about the program or view shuttle routes and schedule information, please visit the MCTA Hiker Shuttle website.


Shuttles will be running from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Raymondkill Falls Hiker Shuttle

This shuttle will be the only way to access the Raymondskill Falls Recreation Area and the Hackers Falls Trailhead on weekends and holidays beginning May 27^th through Labor Day, September 4th.

This shuttle can be picked up at the Milford Knob Trailhead, and operates every 20 minutes, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

The River Runner Shuttle

Back by popular demand! This shuttle has the capacity to transport up to 10 kayaks or canoes, and 4 bicycles.

The River Runner route begins at the Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride at 8:10am, with northbound shuttles every hour until 1:15pm. The southbound route begins at Milford Beach at 10:00am, with shuttles every hour until 3:05pm. Visitors can flag this shuttle down at a number of safe "flag stop" locations along the way, including Park Headquarters.

The Delaware Water Gap Hiker Shuttle

This shuttle is a 35-foot bus to transport larger crowds between hiking areas at Kittatinny Point, Dunfield Creek, and the Borough of Delaware Water Gap.

The shuttle begins at the Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride at 10:00am, with busses every thirty minutes until 5:30pm.

It is important to note that for this year, the shuttle will only operate on these holiday weekends only:

• May 27th - 31st, 2023
• July 1st, 2nd, & 4th, 2023
• September 2nd - 4th, 2023

For additional information, please see the MCTA website for shuttle routes within the park: 501 National Park Shuttles
A brochure created by MCTA can be found here: 2023 Shuttles