Have you ever dreamed of visiting a waterfall that’s taller than Niagara Falls? Well, you don’t have to travel far to find one. In fact, there’s one right in Pennsylvania, and it’s called Dingmans Falls.

Dingmans Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the state, with a vertical drop of 130 feet. It’s located in Dingmans Ferry, a quaint town in the Pocono Mountains region, about two hours away from New York City. It’s part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which covers more than 70,000 acres of land along the Delaware River.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get to Dingmans Falls is by car. You can take I-80 west from New York City, then exit at NJ-15 north toward US-206 north. Follow US-206 north until you cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, then turn right onto PA-739 north. After about 10 miles, turn left onto Johnny Bee Road, then right onto PA-209 south. After about 4 miles, turn left onto Dingmans Falls Road, and follow it until you reach the parking lot for the Dingmans Falls Visitor Center.

The parking lot is free and spacious, but it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, so I recommend arriving early. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and on weekends from mid-April to mid-October. It offers restrooms, water fountains, picnic tables, and information about the area.

How to See the Falls

From the parking lot, you can access a handicap-accessible boardwalk trail that leads you to Dingmans Falls. The trail is about 1.4 miles round trip and it’s very easy and scenic.

Along the way, you’ll also see another stunning waterfall called Silverthread Falls. This waterfall is much thinner than Dingmans Falls, but it’s also very graceful and elegant. It drops 80 feet through a narrow crevice in the rock. You can take some photos and videos of this waterfall from a viewing platform on the trail.

The trail ends at another viewing platform where you can admire the full glory of Dingmans Falls. You’ll be amazed by the sheer power and beauty of this waterfall, as it plunges 130 feet into a deep pool below. You can feel the mist and the breeze on your face, and you’ll be mesmerized by the rainbow that forms in the sunlight.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also climb up some stairs to get a closer look at the top of the falls, but be careful as it can be slippery. The stairs are steep and narrow, but they offer a different perspective of the falls and the surrounding scenery.

What Else to Do

After seeing Dingmans Falls, you can explore more of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which offers plenty of activities for nature lovers.

Some of the highlights include:

• Raymondskill Falls, the highest waterfall in Pennsylvania, with a total drop of 150 feet.
• Pocono Environmental Education Center, a non-profit organization that offers environmental education programs and workshops for all ages.
• Hornsbeck Creek Falls, a series of cascades that flow through a scenic gorge.
• Dingman’s Ferry Bridge, a historic wooden toll bridge that crosses the Delaware River.

What to Know Before You Go

Before you plan your trip to Dingmans Falls, here are some things you should know:

• The best time to visit Dingmans Falls is from spring to fall, when the water flow is high and the foliage is colorful. In winter, the falls may freeze and form ice sculptures, but the access road may be closed due to snow.
• The falls are free to visit, but there is a $1 toll to cross the Dingman’s Ferry Bridge.
• The falls are named after Andrew Dingman, a Dutch settler who owned a ferry across the river in the 18th century. You can learn more about the history of the area at the visitor center or at some of the nearby museums and historic sites.

Conclusion

Dingmans Falls is a hidden gem in the Poconos that you should definitely visit if you’re looking for a relaxing and refreshing day trip. It’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Pennsylvania, and it’s easy to access and enjoy. You’ll also find plenty of other things to do and see in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is a paradise for nature lovers.

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Have you ever been to Dingmans Falls or any other waterfall in the Poconos? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments.

Thank you for reading and happy travels! 🌎