Hikers enjoy the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area during all months of the year; every season offers a special reward. During winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas along trails and reveals stone walls, foundations, and other reminders of past residents. Spring provides a weekly parade of wildflowers and flowering trees. In summer, hikers can seek out cool retreats among the hemlock forests and follow rolling streams to beautiful falls and cascades. Autumn hikers have crisp air to sharpen the senses and a varied palette of fall colors to enjoy.
Trail maps can be found at our visitor centers and in the Guide to the Gap.
Trails: Northern Part of the Park
| 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 |
CLOSED |
| Dingmans Creek |
0.4 |
E |
forest, waterfalls |
OPEN |
| Hackers |
1.4 |
M |
forest, waterfall |
OPEN |
| Hornbecks Creek |
1.9 |
E-D |
forest, waterfalls |
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
**The section of the McDade Trail between the Pittman Orchard and Conashaugh
trailheads is CLOSED annually between February and July FOR RESOURCE PROTECTION.
Trails: Middle Part of the Park
| 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 |
4.5 |
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
Trails: Southern Part of the Park
* E = easy
M = moderate
D = difficult
° = Trail located in Worthington State Forest
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