Wonderful Waterfall Tours
The Settlers Inn founders Grant and Jeanne Genzlinger have compiled this guided tour of their favorite Poconos area waterfalls for adventurous guests seeking a day filled with excellent hiking, scenic views and back roads meandering.
Since the mid-19th century the Pocono Mountains region, near the Wild and Scenic Upper Delaware River, have attracted visitors from around the world to its awesome and abundant waterfalls. In fact, the area is home to so many waterfalls because the tributaries flowing into the Delaware must traverse the landscape’s prominent cliffs and ridges to reach the river.
Today, waterfalls remain a dramatic accent to the area’s lush forests and rocky terrain as millions of gallons of water cascade down its many falls every day.
Several of the waterfalls are located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and are accessible to the public without charge.
Childs Park is also open free of charge to the public and is an excellent picnic spot offering an opportunity to see three spectacular waterfalls—Factory, Fulmer and Deer Leap—along a 1.5-mile loop among a dense hemlock ravine straddling Dingmans Creek.
So, borrow the Inn’s walking sticks (they’re on the front porch) for your trek along the trails to the falls; order a picnic from the Inn (backpack supplied) and head on out for your wonderful waterfall adventure!
Directions:
- Make a right from The Settlers Inn parking lot onto Hawley’s Main Avenue and follow Route 6 East approximately 5 miles to Route 402 South.
- Turn right onto Route 402 South and travel approximately 12.5 miles to Silver Lake Road. Turn left onto Silver Lake Road.
- Follow Silver Lake Road approximately 9 miles to Childs Park (on your right side). Park in the public access area. Hike the scenic trail leading to Factory, Fulmer and Deer Leap Falls. Enjoy a picnic at any of the public tables.
- If you’re still in the mood for more waterfalls, turn right from Childs Park onto Silver Lake Road and travel approximately 2 miles to its intersection with Route 739. Turn right onto Route 739 South and follow it approximately 1 mile to the traffic light, then turn right onto Route 209 South.
- Follow Route 209 South less than 1 mile until you see signs for Dingmans Falls Visitors Center. Follow signs to the visitors center where you can park and hike to the 75-foot Dingmans Falls and 70-foot Silver Thread Falls.
- If these dramatic cascades still don’t quench your craving for waterfalls, return to Route 209, turn left and travel North 5 miles (past the traffic light at the intersection with Route 739) until you see signs for a left turn toward Raymondskill Falls, a spectacular 105-foot torrent. The parking area is clearly marked on your left.
- After viewing Raymondskill Falls return to Route 209, turn left and travel North 2.5 miles to the village of Milford, which features many antique and specialty shops, restaurants, and Grey Towers National Historic Site—the former home of Conservationist Gifford Pinchot.
- When leaving Milford find Route 6 (also called Harford Street in the village) and travel West approximately 25 miles to Hawley.
- If you would like a quick peek at more wonderful waterfalls, stop along Route 6, after about 10 miles, at Shohola Falls Natural Area.
- Upon your return to The Settlers Inn, stop by the bar for a relaxing drink to top off the day’s activities or enjoy a healthy snack on our deck.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Grant and Jeanne