Dingmans Falls: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Delaware Water Gap➤

Dingmans 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.

Dingmans 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. The boardwalk continues through the Hemlock forest to Dingmans Falls

Dingmans Falls plunges 130 feet to the pool below and is the second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. Some stairs ascend from the boardwalk to a viewing platform at the top of the falls.

Delaware Water Gap Posts➤

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