Hiking in Delaware Gap

Delaware River

Memorial weekend is an excellent time to get out the city and that’s exactly what a couple of friends and I did. While NYC is spoilt for parks including Central Park there’s nothing like leaving the city behind and heading to the countryside for some hiking and fresh air! Delaware Gap is located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  A two hour drive from New York City, Delaware Gap is an area filled with hiking, waterfalls, the Delaware River, and stunning natural beauty.

Getting to Delaware Gap is relatively easy from NYC. The Interstate 80 takes you to the heart of Delaware Gap but you can also reach it via I 87 (toll road). Having not been to the area before we decided to head straight to the tourist information center which is located the first turn-off after the toll bridge. Stepping out of the car was like stepping into a different world, besides the natural beauty of the area the quality of air leaves you breathless! Armed with maps and things to do we headed to our first stop, Shawnee General Store, for subs and sandwiches (great food).

Our next stop was Smithfield Beach (fee area, $10 for cars), here you can rent bikes ($20 per day), kayaks and canoes for ($40 per day), hike the local trails or simply BBQ and relax. We decided to drive back to the stop before it called Hialeah picnic area and walk to Smithfield Beach. The trail looked like it went along the river and while it did in some places it mostly was in the forest, which you could’ve been anywhere. I recommend parking at Smithfield beach and doing the activities from there.

Dingmans Falls, Delaware Gap

Due to time restraints we pushed on heading for Dingmans Falls. The helpful lady at the tourist info center recommended these falls and she wasn’t wrong! Dingmans Falls is a spectacular 130 feet high waterfall. In addition to Dingmans Falls there’s another waterfall on the same track. You can also climb to the top of Dingmans Falls and look down (magic).  Along road 209 there’s also another waterfall, Raymondskill Falls but we ran out of time for that one.  We finished off at the quaint town of Milford and had a dinner at The Dimmick Inn Steakhouse. The restaurant has a great balcony overlooking the activities of the main street.

For serious hikers there’s Mount Minsi and Mount Tannany which are close to the tourist information center (4 hour round trip hikes), and the famous Appalachian Trail. Whatever your tastes are, Delaware Gap has activities to suit all palates. So if you are in need of some natural beauty and fresh air head to Delaware Gap!