Delaware Water Gap and the Poconos to Ricketts Glen

Route description

From New York take I-80 west across New Jersey for about 1.5 hours to the Delaware Water Gap, where the river cuts through Kittatinny Ridge. Park at the trailhead lots on the New Jersey side and climb the Red Dot Trail on Mount Tammany for views down into the gap; the loop takes about three hours. The Appalachian Trail crosses the river here on the I-80 bridge.

Cross into Pennsylvania and follow US-209 north through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the river. Side roads lead to waterfalls such as Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls, both a short walk from their lots, and to riverside picnic areas and boat launches. Milford, at the northern end, is a small 19th-century town with Grey Towers, the home of forester Gifford Pinchot, on the hill above.

From Milford drive southwest across the Pocono Plateau via I-84, I-380 and I-80 to Hickory Run State Park, about 1.5 hours, where a gravel road ends at the Boulder Field. Jim Thorpe, about 30 minutes south, is a Victorian coal town squeezed into the Lehigh Gorge, with the Asa Packer Mansion, a scenic railroad and bike trails along the river. Its streets are steep and parking is tight for RVs.

Ricketts Glen State Park is about 1.5 hours northwest via PA-93, I-81 and PA-118. The Falls Trail is best after rain in spring or in October color; wear proper boots, since the stone steps are steep and slippery. PA-487 from Red Rock up to the park is very steep; the park advises large trailers to avoid it and come in from the north via Dushore. End in Bloomsburg. The route is about 450 km.