Delaware Water Gap - Eastern Gateway to Pennsylvania

If you live in the New York City area, the Delawarefamily. For a small fee they allow visitors to enjoy eight
Water Gap National Recreation Area is only 75 milesdifferent waterfalls all accessed by well marked trails.
from Manhattan (about 1.5 hours) via Interstate 80. ForDingman's Falls and More
most cars that would be only a half tank of gasolineAbout 12 miles further up US-209 is Dingman's Ferry.
for the round trip!From there you can access Dingman's Falls and
From the Hudson River...Silverthread Falls. These are very popular in the
The trip starts on I-95 with the crossing of the Georgesummer and, if you find them too crowded, Deer Leap
Washington Bridge. When one has seen that bridge soFalls, Fulmer Falls and Factory Falls are just a little but
many times over the years it is easy to take it forfurther up Silver Lake Road.
granted. It is a beautiful structure and, if you can driveRaymondskill Falls
in the right lane, your passengers have a great view ofAbout 5 miles further north on 209 is Indian Point.
the majestic Palisades which line the Jersey shore ofSR-2009 splits off to the west (your left) here. There
the Hudson River. Three miles after you enter Newis also a sign directing you to Raymondskill Falls which
Jersey, at I-95 exit 69, you'll turn onto I-80. For the nextis just 1.5 miles up the road. Raymondskill Creek
12 miles you drive past an intensely urban landscape.tumbles down a small, rocky ravine creating a set of
...to the Delaware Riverthree cataracts varying in drop from three to sixty
At about exit 57 you'll pass Garret Mountain. A milefeet. Raymondskill Falls is probably the best example
later you'll cross over the Passaic River and you'llhow each waterfall in the Pocono highlands is unique.
notice the urbanness falling away to be replaced byThe Hiking Trails
increasing greenery. You'll also pass ridge after ridgeIt takes more than one day to see all the waterfalls
of mountains, -- like the waves in the ocean. An hournamed above. But before you conclude that all there is
later you and I-80 are greeted by an imposingto see here are waterfalls, the Recreation Area (which
mountain gateway. This is the Delaware Water Gap.includes almost 70,000 acres along the Delaware
On your right is a steep 1,100 foot bluff topped by MtRiver) has many well marked trails of varying difficulty.
Tammany and on your left -- the Pennsylvania side ofThe famous Appalachian Trail on the New Jersey side
the Delaware River -- is an almost equally steep 1,000of the Delaware River is accessible from many
foot bluff topped by Mt. Minsi. This is the grand Easternlocations and offers dozens of splendid views of the
Gateway to Pennsylvania and to the Delaware Waterarea.
Gap National Recreation Area.A Fun Bit of History
The WaterfallsYou might find that going back in time can be just as
You'll take exit 309 to get on US-209. This excellentmuch fun. Just north of I-80 at the Gap (where you
two-lane highway follows the Delaware Rivercame in) is Old Mine Road. Just up that road is
upstream for almost 40 miles. From 209 you haveMillbrook Village carefully restored to how it appeared
access to over a dozen beautiful waterfalls startingaround the year 1900. Every October, 100 volunteer
with Buttermilk Falls and quickly followed by Twin Falls.'villagers' populate the place in period clothing and bring
Bushkill Fallsthe village to life in celebration of 'Millbrook Days'.
At Bushkill (about 11 miles from I-80) you'll turn left (atWith the current exorbitant fuel prices, it's a relief to
the blinking light) onto Bushkill Falls Rd. A little ways upknow of locations you and the family can enjoy
this road is a bit of Paradise owned by the Peterswithout wrecking your budget.