Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
New Jersey · National Recreation Area · Mid Atlantic Region
Delaware Water Gap is 70,000 acres straddling the New Jersey Pennsylvania border, and it is genuinely beautiful in a way that Mid Atlantic residents rarely expect. Dingmans Falls is the second highest waterfall in Pennsylvania: a free falling 130 foot cascade with a short accessible boardwalk that feels like a secret even though it is two hours from New York City. The Appalachian Trail traverses the ridge with views of the river valley and folded Appalachian ridges. For East Coast couples, this is a real natural setting that does not require flying anywhere.
- Best season
- May through October
- Permit required
- Yes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 25 people
- Permit info verified
- April 2026
Permit Information
NPS Special Use Permit required for weddings and formal ceremonies. $50 non refundable application fee; additional monitoring fees may apply depending on the event. Apply at least 2 weeks in advance. Dingmans Falls, Silverthread Falls, and the Appalachian Trail ridge are common ceremony locations.
Seasonal Planning
Fall (mid October early November) is peak, the deciduous forests turn vivid orange yellow and the Delaware River reflects the color. Spring brings the waterfalls to full flow. Weekdays offer significantly more solitude than weekends.
Planning Your Day at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
One-Spot Day
The Dingmans Falls boardwalk carries the whole day on a single half mile of barrier free wood. Ceremony at the 130 foot base platform, portraits at Silver Thread Falls halfway back, and every guest reaches the altar without a single stair. It is the rare waterfall day that truly works for everyone.
Ceremony + Portraits Split
Hold the ceremony on the Dingmans Falls boardwalk for the accessible 130 foot backdrop, then drive eight miles north to Raymondskill Falls for portraits at Pennsylvania's tallest cascade. Two of the most photographed falls in the Mid Atlantic on the same permit.
A Note on Light
Overcast is actually the headline light here. The canyons stay in even shade and the wet rock keeps its color instead of blowing out. Late April through June brings the loudest water; early October layers peak foliage into every frame. Sunbeams through the hemlock canopy are a mid morning bonus.
Ceremony Spots at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Raymondskill Falls — Couples wanting Pennsylvania's tallest waterfall as a dramatic three tiered backdrop, just a short walk from the car
- Dingmans Falls Boardwalk — Fully accessible, barrier free ceremonies at the base of a 130 foot waterfall, the most wheelchair and stroller friendly ceremony site in the park
- George W. Childs Park Waterfall Loop — Couples wanting three waterfalls, historic mill ruins, and a storybook wooden footbridge setting on a single short loop
View full elopement guide for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area