Best Waterfalls in Delaware: 9 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
By Raymond Goldfield|Published May 27, 2024
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
Delaware is a small state – the second-smallest in the United States, in fact – but we manage to pack a lot of life into those coastal quarters. That includes the First State’s extensive state park and preserve system, which has some of the most beautiful natural sites on the East Coast. However, one thing it doesn’t have is too many waterfalls – there are only a select few in the state. However, joining the best waterfalls in Delaware are a collection of falls only a short drive from the state’s borders – after all, there are some advantages to being a tiny state. These falls are located just across the border, primarily in the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Some are impressive, towering falls, while others are humble and peaceful streams that make amazing spots for quiet reflection. Whether you’re up for a challenging hike to your waterfall destination or want a more relaxing trek, there’s something for everyone – and Only In Your State has put together this list to help you create your next Delaware waterfall adventure.
Delaware’s waterfalls tend to be small and quaint, but the same can’t be said for those right over the border. Not far from Delaware, located along the Delaware Water Gap, you’ll find two of the most dramatic cascades in the country.
Popularity: Very popular - this is one of the top spots to visit in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and will usually be crowded with tourists all seasons of the year.
Need To Know This is the tallest waterfall in New Jersey, and is found in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It’s accessed via a short hike and there is no fee to visit, although parking fees may apply. .
Buttermilk Falls is maintained by the National Park Service and is one of the easier waterfalls to access in the Delaware Water Gap. Visitors simply park near Mountain Road and take a short hiking trail to the 85-foot falls. The trail is easy, although can have rocky terrain. The view from the ground is incredible, but we also recommend taking a hike up to the observation platform to see the falls from the top. While spring and summer are the most popular times to visit, the falls looks amazing when frozen solid in the winter.
2. Raymondskill Falls
Raymondskill Falls, Dingman Township, PA 18337, USA
Popularity: Very popular - as the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania in a relatively accessible location, you can expect crowds no matter when you go. .
Need To Know Also located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, this waterfall tops the competition at 150 feet and is by far the tallest falls in the area. It’s reached via a half-mile hike and there is no fee to access the area.
Raymondskill Falls is another wonder in this ecologically diverse area, and this towering waterfall is found along the Raymondskill Creek Trail. The .6-mile loop trail is considered a moderate hike trending towards easy, because while the trail is well-maintained and features stairs and boardwalks, it features extensive elevation gains. This waterfall is so powerful you’ll hear it before you see it, and it’s only slightly shorter than Niagara Falls. One word of warning - don’t go swimming! This is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
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Best Waterfall Hikes Near Delaware
A great waterfall is worth a bit of effort, we think. Of course, these two might take more than a bit! Both of these waterfalls are located not far from some of the most famous waterfalls in the region, but finding them requires heading off the beaten path and exploring – and in one case, really venturing into the wild.
3. Silver Thread Falls
Silverthread Falls, Delaware Township, PA 18328, USA
Popularity: Moderately popular - its proximity to another popular waterfall means there will always be crowds, but this smaller cascade is a bit of a secret.
Need To Know The smaller waterfall in Dingmans Ferry, this charming falls is around 80 feet tall and only requires a quick hike from the parking lot. The boardwalk hike to reach it is ADA accessible, making this an ideal beginners hike, and this is a free park with no admissions fee.
While Silver Thread Falls might not get the hype of its neighbor, this beautiful waterfall is easy to access and makes for a perfect first hike for those looking to explore without exerting themselves. You simply leave the parking lot, and head onto the nearby boardwalk. The waterfall is a peaceful little enclave, and many people will bypass it for nearby Dingmans Falls, so the odds are you’ll have a quiet spot to take pictures and bask in the beauty of the rushing water. This is a great adventure for the whole family.
Popularity: Not popular - this waterfall is so well-hidden that the odds are good you’ll be the only one around, especially during cooler weather.
Need To Know This waterfall is accessed via the exact same path as Buttermilk Falls - except that you’ll head off the beaten path, via a short but unmarked trail that requires you to cross Flat Creek. This is a challenging journey best undertaken by experienced hikers.
This hike couldn’t be more different from its fellow “Silver” waterfall - Silver Spray Falls is the best-kept secret in the Delaware Water Gap. The only way to access it is by a small pull-off about a half-mile from the main lot. From there, you’ll follow an unmarked trail that features significant elevation changes and rocky terrain. Make sure to wear good hiking boots, and don’t come when the flow of the creek is too intense. The odds are you’ll be the only person at the waterfall, so just getting here feels like an achievement!
Not everyone can handle a hike to find a great waterfall, whether they’re limited in mobility or just not the outdoorsy type. Fortunately, these two waterfalls are easy to reach with only a short walk – and are located near major tourist sites that make it easy to access some of the area’s most impressive falls.
Popularity: Extremely popular - Bushkill Falls is one of Pennsylvania’s top tourist attractions, and the accessible trails are a very popular family and tour group destination. .
Need To Know This waterfall is part of the massive Bushkill Falls complex, which actually has 8 waterfalls in the complex. The complex has four trails, with the Green Trail to access the Main Falls being the easiest. The fee to enter this private park is $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 11.
One waterfall is great - but how about eight? Main Falls is the main attraction at the “Disney World of Waterfalls”. This park is maintained by private owners and the admission fees go to keeping the trails and falls in good condition. Because this is an attraction rather than a public park, the trails are much less rustic and there will be well-maintained paths everywhere you go. Once you get to Main Falls, take the other color-coded trails to see how many small cascades you can find around the park.
Popularity: Very popular - this is the most notable waterfall in the area and is a popular spot for photographers and beginner hikers to visit.
Need To Know Located in the same park as Silverthread Falls, Dingmans Falls is accessed via a short 1.4 mile boardwalk trail which is really more like a walk in the park. This is the second-largest waterfall in Pennsylvania.
You’ll know you’re approaching Dingmans Falls when you see the impressive visitor’s center - and from there, it’s only a short hike to one of the best views in Pennsylvania. The hike is mostly composed of bridges and boardwalks, so it’s suitable for all ability levels. The waterfall itself is a stunning sight, cascading down a craggy hill. While it’s amazing to look at all during the year, we’re especially partial to watching it when it’s covered in fall foliage - the multi-colored background really makes the whole waterfall a beautiful spot for photos.
Best Waterfalls Near Wilmington
Of course, with all these amazing falls near Delaware, we can’t forget that there are some great waterfalls in Delaware! These are all clustered in a pair of stunning state parks, both located with in the larger Wilmington city limits – so you can see them all in a day.
7. Brandywine Creek Falls
Brandywine Creek State Park, 41 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA
Popularity: Moderately popular - this historic state park always attracts a crowd, but the small waterfall hike is more of a quiet retreat than a big draw.
Need To Know This historic park is known for its unique geology, which makes this small waterfall look especially pretty. The waterfall moves through a complex network of rocks. It’s found on a 5.5-mile loop trail, which is well-maintained and easy to navigate.
Brandywine Creek Falls is found along the Eastern Trail, a 5.5-mile hike through one of Delaware’s most beautiful and rustic state parks. While the trail is rather rocky and doesn’t have many of the frills of more famous parks, it’s rated as easy and you won’t encounter any major elevation changes. The waterfall is near the end of the trail, so you’ll want to block out a decent chunk of the day for this hike. One of the most interesting things about this waterfall is the unique way the water moves through the rocky outcroppings. This park is also a popular spot for snowshoeing during the winter, so it’s a great opportunity to see the falls frozen.
8. Alapocas Falls
Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Popularity: Popular - this impressive waterfall is easily the top draw for photos in this laid-back state park.
Need To Know This is the tallest waterfall in Delaware, and it’s reached via a short hike through this beautiful park. Alapocas Run State Park is known for its craggy rock walls, and the park is free to enter.
Alapocas Run State Park is the best spot in the state to see waterfalls, and Alapocas Falls is the largest natural waterfall in the state. While it’s nowhere near as large as some of the ones in the neighboring areas, it’s a beautiful site that has a cascade of water running down a jagged rock path, and the water is usually flowing no matter the weather. This means it freezes solid in the winter, and that’s one of the best sites in the park. All the trails in this park are easy or moderate and are geared towards hiking and running.
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9. Alapocas Run State Park Spillway
Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Popularity: Popular - this man-made waterfall is central to the park and most visitors will drop by during their exploration of the area.
Need To Know This isn’t a natural waterfall - it’s formed by a dam in the Alapocas Run State Park water system. You’ll come across it naturally as you explore the park, and it’s a great spot for a picnic or to relax on a hot day.
The Alapocas Run State Park Spillway might be the easiest waterfall to see in the state, as it can be found simply by walking along one of the park’s easiest trails. You’ll come across the dam near a bridge, and it’s always running with a smooth, consistent flow over the edge of the narrow waterfall. The man-made waterfall has an incredible backdrop of trees that makes it one of the most popular photo ops in the park.
Have you visited some of the best waterfalls in Delaware and surrounding Delaware before? Tell us about your adventures in the comments section! If you can’t get enough of the great outdoors, check out our list of the best state parks in Delaware – some of these waterfalls are located within! And if you’re looking forward to some of these waterfall hikes, make sure to subscribe to AllTrails + – it’s a mobile app that is really helpful when traveling into more remote areas, thanks to downloadable trail maps with step-by-step instructions.
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