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Delaware Water Gap➤
Silverthread Falls is one of the many falls in and around the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Delaware Water Gap NRA contains 70,000 acres along the middle section of the Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It begins at the water gap and stretches northward to the tristate border of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
A water gap is formed when water carves a path through a mountain range. In Earth’s ancient history, the North American and African continents collided, creating the Kittatinny Ridge. Streams flowing on one side of the ridge scoured a channel over the course of millions of years and became the Delaware River.
The Appalachian Trail and the Middle Delaware National Scenic River both run the length of the park. Waterfalls abound and many historic Dutch Colonial buildings sit within park boundaries.
Silverthread Falls➤
In July, I noticed the park posted that Rhododendrons on the Pennsylvania side of the river were in full bloom. So I took a drive out to the Dingmans Falls Visitor Center to see what I could see. Because of Covid, the park road was closed. It was a nice day, so I parked out by the county road and walked the mile or so in to the Dingman’s Creek trailhead. It was a nice quiet walk along the stream with Rhododendrons and other wildflowers in bloom.
The trail to Dingman’s Falls is a half-mile accessible boardwalk. After leaving the parking lot, a bridge crosses over the creek. Immediately after the bridge is Silverthread Falls.
This thin thread of water drops 80 feet through a channel carved into a layered rock which was thrust onto its side eons ago. I paused here for a few minutes before continuing on to the more impressive Dingmans Falls at the end of the boardwalk.
Delaware Water Gap Posts➤
- Middle Delaware
- Bushkill Falls
- Silverthread Falls
- Dingmans Falls
- Raymondskill Falls
- Millbrook Village
Location: 224 Dingmans Falls Rd, Delaware Township, PA
Designation: National Recreation Area
Date designated/established: September 1, 1965
Date of my visit: July 10, 2021
We drove through the gap on the way to a family outing two weeks ago. Need to set aside time to explore.
There are a bunch of falls and historic buildings scattered throughout this park’s territory.
This looks truly beautiful, especially with the rhododendrons in flower.
Yes, my timing was good for the bloom!
What a lovely setting. *happy sigh*
Thanks! Yes it was very pretty with everything in bloom
It sounds like a beautiful day full of solitude and rhododendrons.
Beautiful, yes. Solitude, no. Lots of other folks wanted to see the bloom.
I guess I interpreted your “nice quiet walk” as solitude. But it’s not surprising that other people enjoyed the floral bounty as well.
🙂
This is one of my favorite waterfalls I’ve ever visited, I love how skinny it is!
Most folks usually rush by this one on the way to the bigger Dingman’s Falls. I thought it deserved its own post.