Delaware Water Gap is a must-visit place to travel in Poconos if you love waterfalls and recreational beauty. Waterfalls can be located throughout the Delaware Water Gap. The place engulfs over 7,000 acres of forest land, breathtaking landscapes, and recreational areas. There are many waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap, but we have narrowed down this guide on the most beautiful waterfalls in Delaware Water Gap that you should not miss out on. This article will cover everything you need to know about the popular waterfalls in Delaware Water Gap.
The waterfalls that you come across in Delaware are more than just water – it is a landscape, a marvel like no other on the earth. These waterfalls give a marvelous look to the beautiful lush forests in Delaware Water Gap. They were the sources of energy and water and supplied fresh water to the locals and visitors around the area.
Best time to visit Delaware Waterfalls
Delaware Water Gap can be visited all year long. However, the best time to visit Delaware Waterfalls is spring and fall – when you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls amongst the beautiful foliage.
During summer, even though the weather asks you to get in the water and take a dip, the water flow is quite less compared to spring and falls after the rain.
Safety precautions for those visiting waterfalls in Delaware Water Gap
While visiting the waterfalls, there are certain rules that you should follow up for your safety and long-term preservation of the recreational area.
- It is recommended not to climb the waterfalls, waterfall pools, and adjacent cliffs.
- Don’t swim or wad in the water that is too deep or has a long upstream.
- Make sure that you are within the designated trail.
- Pets are not permitted on the trail.
- It is recommended to stay in the designated area.
- To avoid crowds, it is recommended to reach the parking area before 10 am or even around 4 pm.
- For the falls around the mountainous region, take extra care and choose the easier route.
1. Silverthread and Dingmans Falls
Overview:
- Accessibility: Yes
- Trail distance: 1- 1.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Height: 80 feet
- Crest: 5
- Time taken: 2-3 minutes from Vistors Centers
Amenities:
- Parking: Yes
- Bathrooms/Restrooms: Yes
- Information center: Yes
Why visit SilverThread falls?
Silver Thread Falls is an easily accessible waterfall in Delaware Water Gap in the Poconos. As the name suggests, it does resemble a silver thread – a thin and narrow but tall fall. You will enjoy a cool breeze around the falls. This is also one of the easiest waterfalls to visit in the area.
How to reach?
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Drive through US-209, and you will pass through the Dingman’s Ferry.
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Head down towards south on the same US-209 till you see the Dingmans Falls sign.
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You need to turn right into Johnny B Mountain Road towards the parking lot of the falls.
Exploring the waterfalls: Trail map
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Dingmans Falls Visitor Center can help you reach two of the most popular waterfalls. From the center, you can head over to the Dingmans Creek Trail.
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On your way, you will come across the famous Silver Thread Waterfalls.
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The trail is made of a smooth Broadwalk lane, which is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
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Continuing from the Silver Thread Creek Trail, you will reach Dingmans Falls. With a height of 130 feet, it is the second-longest waterfall in the entire state of Pennsylvania and also the most popular. With an easy walk and broad, smooth trails through the pristine forests, Dingmans Falls is easy to reach.
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You can have an amazing experience during July and August as you make way through the rhododendron thickets and pass through the creek towards the waterfalls, surrounded by lush green forests. It might feel like a workout as you make your way to the Dingmans Falls, but the view of the majestic falls is worth it all!
2. Factory, Fulmer, and Deer Leap Falls
Overview:
- Accessibility: Yes
- Trail distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Height: 80 feet (Silver Thread Falls) | 130 feet (Dingmans Falls)
- Time took: minutes from Visitors Centers.
- Is it open? As of now (i.e., May 2022), George W Child Park and associated trails are closed for construction. Please check the official NPS website to know more.
Amenities:
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Parking: Available
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Restrooms: Available near the entry desk
Why visit?
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On the same trail, you will come across three main waterfalls – which will save time. Besides, the trail is family-friendly, and visitors can also find interesting ruins on their way.
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However, the waterfalls trails in Delaware Water Gap are not pet friendly, so make sure that you make relative arrangements.
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The trail follows through the Dingmans Creek.
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You will find a lush ravine all around you as you walk through it, an opportunity to look over the waterfalls and pass through old 19th-century ruins and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
How to reach?
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The three waterfalls are located in an area called George W Childs Park, located on the western edges of the park. The area nest three important waterfalls
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The park is located just a few miles upstream of Dingmans Falls.
Exploring the waterfalls: Trail Map
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The trail is inclusive and accessible only until the first waterfall, about a third of a mile.
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Following through the Dingmans Creek, you will find ruins of a mill and many things built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trail has a hemlock ravine on either side of the creek.
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All the three falls can be accessed by a single path of broad paths that is well maintained and has wooden steps and bridges along the way.
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The Factory Falls is located about a third of a mile and is a wheelchair-accessible trail. It is located next to an old woolen mill, hence the name.
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Without the need for directions, just a short distance away from Factory Falls, you will find Fulmer Falls. It is approximately 56 feet tall and is the largest fall in the Park. The beauty of this fall is that it lands over a semi-circular basin of rock before running downstream.
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The last waterfalls at the park are the Deer Leap Falls as you continue. You will find a bridge right over the falls, which offers a very beautiful scenic view.
Note: Post-construction, the trail might be subject to certain additions of amenities and changes in trail routes.
3. Raymondskill Falls
Overview:
- Accessibility: Limited
- Trail distance: 0.5 – 1 mile (two ways)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: More than 150 feet (178 feet)
Amenities:
Parking: Yes
Restrooms: Yes, at the entrance
Activities:
Why visit?
Even if you visit many waterfalls around, there is none like Raymondskill Falls. Named as “tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania” by the National Park Service. It is a three-tier falls with a well-maintained trail and parking area. You get to see dramatic views from the cliff over the Delaware River.
How to reach
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Head south on Route 209 for 2.8 miles.
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Take a right towards Raymondskill Road for a short distance. You will find the parking lot of Raymondskill Falls.
Exploring the falls
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Even though the Raymondskill Creek trails are quite well maintained, the path is quite steep and rocky in certain places. The falls are not wheelchair accessible and the visitors are advised to wear proper footwear.
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From the bathrooms, take a right towards the start of the trail, from where you need to walk around 400 yards to reach the first spot at the top of the waterfalls.
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You can look over the three tiers of the waterfalls from this point.
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From the spot, go back and continue walking down the Raymondskill Creek till you find an intersection.
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You can find the top two tiers above you from this spot, and it sits right over the lowest tier. You will notice that a big water pool separates the top two tiers from the lowest tier.
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Note that there are no trails to the bottom of Raymondskill Falls.
4. Buttermilk Falls
Overview:
- Accessibility: No
- Trail distance: 1.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
- Length: 200 feet
Amenities:
- Parking: Yes
- Restrooms: Yes, at the entrance
Why visit?
Buttermilk Falls is a popular area for camping and hiking. It is also one of the tallest waterfalls in New Jersey. The trail is also a bit difficult – which offers a thrill to experienced hikers. The hike is not easy, but the scenic views from the mountains are worth it. The waterfall is quite impressive and there is also less crowd around the area, which makes it more attractive.
- Travel the Mountain Road for 2.5 miles.
- Head east on 739 and cross the Delaware River.
- Cross over the bridge, take the first right, and drive for 5-6 miles.
- Take the Walpack Road and go straight. Take a left to the main road.
- Take Brook Road, which will get a bit treacherous. Continue for about 2.5 miles to reach the parking lot.
Exploring buttermilk waterfalls: Trail map
- From the parking lot, climb up the stairs. The path is steep, so you might need a walking stick or a trekking pole. Some sections are rocky but also a lot of easy woods paths.
- You should continue on the BLUE trail towards that top, which can be a bit steep at the start but gets better as you reach the woods. You will reach the Buttermilk waterfalls.
- There are also elaborate stairs that can be used to climb and get different views of the waterfalls. The route from Buttermilk falls further takes you down to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond.
5. Hornbeck Creek/ Indian Ladder Falls
Overview:
- Accessibility: No
- Trail distance: 1.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 50+ feet
Amenities
- Parking: Yes
- Restrooms: N/A
Why visit?
Hornbecks is a hidden gem that not many visitors know about, amongst the other more popular waterfalls of the Delaware Water Gap. The trail is decently maintained but cannot be accessible by all. The path offers to change the landscape – from the narrow paths in the woods to wide open spaces with scenic views. You will also come across valleys and find small falls and rapids on the way.
How to reach?
- From road 209, you will be able to enter the Delaware Water Gap.
- Right in the middle of 10 and 11, you should see a sign that reads “Hornbecks Creek” with a gravel road right beside the board.
- Follow the road till you reach the parking lot.
Exploring the trail: Trail Map
- The trail heads left from the end of the parking area. The trail runs through a narrow path in the woods.
- After a distance, it opens to a wide-open area to a narrower path again, through a similar heavy bush.
- The trail takes you to the bank of the creek, where you will come across small waterfalls, followed by the 30 feet of the marvelous waterfall right in front of you.
- Keep walking, and you will find two more waterfalls.
- You might think you’ve seen it all, but the trail offers more. You are now just a few hundred feet from Indian Ladder Falls, over 50 feet in height. And quite wide at the base.
- On the left of the falls, you will find a staircase that takes you to the top falls, connecting to Emery Road.
Looking for places to stay?
Delaware Water Gap is blessed with recreational and outdoor activities, making it a must-visit place in Poconos. If you want to savor this beautiful place for your next vacation getaway, consider staying at a vacation home near the place for a more authentic and rustic experience, with comfort like home with HolidayKeepers.
