Dingman’s Falls- Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

We ventured north to the Delaware Water Gap a few weekends ago, in search of its fabled waterfalls.  We decided to stay at Dingman’s Campground mainly because they are dog-friendly and close to the falls.  The campground is located in the State Park, and most of the sites were filled with families and children barbecuing, playing with flashlights in the dark, and generally having fun.   I love camping, and am used to camping in more remote locations but I enjoyed the family scene.  There is no alcohol allowed in the park- which doesn’t bother me one bit but thought I’d mention it for anyone who may care about those sorts of things.  Also, park rangers do come around and ask you to be quiet if you are talking too loudly after ten PM.  (Apparently our small group and the children next door fit into this category one night.)

our site at Dingman’s Campground- dog-friendly!

The Delaware River has been high and currents strong, so canoeing was not on our radar, but Dingman’s campground does offer boats & drop off.  Rumor has it your dog can go too but I didn’t check on that.  After a night camping, we headed over to Dingman’s Falls, where we almost immediately came upon a tall, thin waterfall.

first waterfall at Dingman’s Falls

wooden boardwalk trails connect the falls

lots of moss grows everywhere & we came upon some unusual mushrooms

After admiring the view, we followed the long boardwalk through more luscious green trees until we reached another fall.

the next waterfall at Dingman’s

a closer look at the second waterfall

hard to keep water off the camera lens!

another view of Dingman’s Falls

I climbed the tall narrow staircase to get the view from the top but you couldn’t see straight down as I’d hoped.

view from top of waterfall- long way down

At some point a very kind park ranger informed us that dogs weren’t allowed at Dingman’s Falls, and that the office would be happy to educate us on all the places in the area dogs are allowed.  We headed back to the office, passing the no dogs allowed sign we had obliviously walked by earlier.  I stopped in to get a map and directions to some dog friendly trails.  The rest of our family had gone to Bushkill Falls for the day, which is privately owned and has an entrance fee.  They enjoyed it, and apparently there were dogs everywhere there.  Whoops.

Dogs are allowed on the PEEC (Poconos Environmental Education Center) trails. We took the Tumbling Waters Trail, passed a few ponds, a meadow, climbed higher to a waterfall, followed the stream off of it and almost went over another waterfall.  (We didn’t even realize we were at the top of it, and it was gigantic.)

pond on the Tumbling Waters trail

walking the Tumbling Water trail

educational trash graveyard

flower we found on our hike

old stone walls and remnants of buildings are reminders that this used to be farm country

waterfall on the Tumbling Trails – nice basin at the bottom to dip your feet

the view from our nap by the falls

after that a trek up some really steep terrain gave us this view:

view from top near end of Tumbling Waters hike

worth the climb

This was my first trip to the Poconos during the summer, my only other ventures having been during ski season.  I found the rolling hills and green trees perfect for a peaceful and relaxing summer weekend getaway!