Delaware Water Gap Day Trip from New York
A river cut through a ridge, waterfalls and trails an hour past the suburbs
A one-day drive from New York to Delaware Water Gap — 145 mi round trip, about 3h 14m behind the wheel, with stops, timings and where to eat already worked out.
A river cut through a ridge, waterfalls and trails an hour past the suburbs. It's a day out of New York: 145 mi of driving in total, about 3h 14m behind the wheel, and the rest of the day on your feet.
The plan below is paced so the driving doesn't eat the day — leave after breakfast, be back for the evening. Every stop can be swapped for one of three alternatives if it isn't your kind of thing.
Mt Tammany Red Dot Trail
Sweeping view over the Delaware River gap carved between Mount Tammany and Mount Minsi.
💡 Short pull-off just past the toll bridge on Rt 80 westbound — easy 10-minute stop.
Kittatinnies Region, Hardwick Township
Dingmans Falls
One of Pennsylvania's tallest waterfalls, reached via an easy boardwalk trail through hemlock forest.
💡 Visitor center parking lot fills by midday in summer — arrive before 11am.
Delaware Township
Trackside Grill & Bar
Historic railroad-depot restaurant in East Stroudsburg, a convenient and characterful lunch stop near the park.
50 Crystal St, East Stroudsburg
Raymondskill Falls
Pennsylvania's tallest waterfall, a three-tiered cascade just a short walk from the parking area.
💡 Small lot with limited spots — go early afternoon or expect a short wait.
917 Raymondskill Rd, Milford
Resort Point Overlook
Classic panoramic view of the Delaware River bending through the Gap, one of the most photographed spots in the park.
💡 Best light in late afternoon; small pull-off parking only.
40°58'42. 75°08'17., PA-611, East Bangor
- No overnight in the park — this is a single long day trip, budget 5 hrs total driving.
- Fill up on gas before leaving the NYC area; services are sparse inside the park.
- Manhattan return route may pass through NYC's Congestion Pricing zone below 60th St — plan entry point accordingly.
- Cash isn't needed; most park lots are free but fill fast on weekends — arrive early.
- Bushkill Falls+5 mi
Series of eight waterfalls on a network of trails, a bit touristy but genuinely scenic and family-friendly.
- Pocono Indian Museum+6 mi
Small museum on Lenape history near Bushkill, an easy add if you want a short indoor stop.
- Millbrook Village+9 mi
Restored 19th-century village with historic buildings, quiet and often overlooked by day-trippers.
- Van Campens Glen+7 mi
Lesser-known wooded trail with a pretty waterfall and far fewer crowds than the marquee falls.
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
Made with Roadanza
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Work it out for this route →Questions, answered
- Is it worth renting a car for a day trip from NYC?
- For the Hudson Valley towns on the Metro-North line, no — the train is easier and you skip parking. For the Catskills, the Delaware Water Gap, Litchfield County or the beaches, yes: those need a car, and a rental from an outer-borough branch usually costs less than one in Manhattan.
- What's the closest good day trip from New York?
- Cold Spring and Beacon, about an hour north — a walkable main street, a mountain trail and a major contemporary art museum within a few miles of each other. Both are on the train line, which is what makes them the easy answer.
- When should I leave the city to avoid traffic?
- Before eight in the morning or after ten, and never on a Friday afternoon in summer — the eastbound crawl toward Long Island and the northbound one toward the Catskills both start early. Coming back, aim to be past the bridges before four on a Sunday.
- How do bridge and tunnel tolls work?
- They're cashless: cameras read your plate or an E-ZPass transponder. Rental companies pass the toll on with an administration fee per day of use, which adds up — ask at the desk, and consider bringing your own transponder if you have one.
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