George W. Childs Park
- Silver Lake Rd,
- Dingmans Ferry 18328
- (570) 426-2435
George W. Childs Park may be the best trail in the Delaware Water Gap for waterfall lovers. Located just a few miles upstream of Dingmans Falls, the three waterfalls here are some of the most beautiful that you will find anywhere in Pennsylvania. Along the 1.5-mile trail, visitors can follow Dingmans Creek as it flows over waterfalls up to 56 feet in height.
After six years, George W. Childs Park will reopen this September, 2024, just in time for peak fall foliage in the Poconos!
The park has been closed since 2018 due to a series of winter storms that created an unprecedented amount of damage. Reopening date is expected to be in 2024.
Experience walkable trails in this waterfall paradise inside the DWGNRA. Access to the falls is by a single path that winds its way along both sides of the creek, in many places clinging to the stone edges above the rushing water, for a total of roughly 1.5 miles. However, thanks to the National Park Service, the paths are wide and very well maintained. There are even wooden steps in many of the steeper sections of the trail and several bridges that cross Dingmans Creek.
The first waterfall is about a third of a mile down a wide and handicap-accessible trail. This waterfall is known as Factory Falls because it is located next to a 19th century woolen mill.The stone foundations of this mill remain and add a nice touch of history to this beautiful hike.
A short distance after Factory Falls, you’ll come to Fulmer Falls, without the need for directions. Fulmer Falls is listed at 56 feet tall and is the largest of the Childs Park waterfalls. What’s unique about this waterfall is that the creek falls into a semi-circular basin of rock before continuing downstream.
Continuing downstream, the last waterfall at Childs Park is Deer Leap Falls. I’m assuming the name comes from the very narrow gorge at the top of the waterfall, which looks like a deer could jump across. Today, a bridge spans the top of this waterfall which gives a very scenic look to Deer Leap Falls and offers a chance to look down at the top of the waterfall. There is also a bridge just downstream of the falls, which is officially the bottom of the loop at the park.