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–October
- Permit required
- Yes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 25 people
Permit Information
NPS Special Use Permit required for weddings and formal ceremonies. Standard NPS application fee applies (typically $50–$100). Apply at least 2 weeks in advance. Dingmans Falls, Silverthread Falls, and the Appalachian Trail ridge are common ceremony locations.
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