Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open. The NPS alerts feed listed nothing for Raymondskill Falls on October 29, 2026. Seasonal rules still apply: the creek below the lower falls is closed May 1 to September 30, and NPS closed the upper lot in winter 2025-26. What the status labels mean
Raymondskill Falls is a three-tier waterfall on Raymondskill Creek in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, near Milford in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The National Park Service calls it the state's tallest, and Wikipedia puts it at about 150 feet. From two free lots, a steep 0.3-mile loop with a short spur leads to two viewing platforms. The NPS alerts feed listed nothing for the falls on October 29, 2026. Swimming and wading in the falls are banned.
About Raymondskill Falls
Raymondskill Falls drops in three tiers on Raymondskill Creek. The National Park Service calls Raymondskill Falls "the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania" and says it is "only a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls." NPS does not publish a height in feet, though.
Sources outside NPS disagree on the height of Raymondskill Falls. Wikipedia's list of Delaware Water Gap waterfalls gives about 150 feet combined. A 2017 Pike County Courier report, which we saw only in a search excerpt, put it at 165 feet. We could not confirm either figure with the park, so treat both as estimates.
The falls sit in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a National Park Service unit along the Delaware River. NPS notes that the park's waterfalls drain to the Delaware, a river that supplies drinking water to millions of people.
In the same park, Dingmans Falls has been closed to all visitors, pedestrians included, since May 12, 2025, for a bridge replacement. NPS has given no reopening date, so Raymondskill is the open alternative for now.
Getting there and parking
The trailhead is on Raymondskill Road near Milford, Pennsylvania. NPS lists two parking lots there, an upper lot and a lower lot, and both are free. Seasonal restrooms are at the upper lot.
Winter changes which lot you can use. For winter 2025-26, an NPS release from December 9, 2025 said the upper lot would close from January 2, or the first significant snow, through April 15. The lower lot stayed open as conditions allowed.
There is no fee to visit, and no permit or ticket. Delaware Water Gap charges no entrance fee. Its 2026 Expanded Amenity Fee, $10 per vehicle per day, applied only at five beach and river access areas, and NPS collected it through October 13, 2026.
The five fee areas are Milford Beach, Dingmans Access, Bushkill Access, Smithfield Beach and Turtle Beach, according to the NPS fees page. Raymondskill is not one of them, so you won't pay to park here.
NPS links to a Raymondskill Hiker Shuttle for summer trips. We could not confirm a 2026 schedule, so plan to drive.
Map and nearby falls
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The walk
The Raymondskill Creek Trail is a 0.3-mile loop with an out-and-back spur and 178 feet of elevation change, according to NPS. It leads to an upper and a lower viewing platform.
Short does not mean flat. NPS says the earthen trail is steep and uneven, with roots, rocks and slick spots, and it rates the walk easy to moderate. Wear shoes with good grip, and take the descent to the lower platform slowly.
A separate quarter-mile spur leads down to the creek. NPS opens it from fall through spring, and it does not reach the base of the falls, so don't expect a view from the bottom.
Keep the visit simple. NPS bans food, picnics and alcohol on the trail. Dogs are not allowed, only service dogs, and NPS lists no accessible route.
When to visit
NPS publishes no hours for the Raymondskill Creek Trail that we could find, and no advice on the best month or crowd levels. What NPS does publish are seasonal rules that shape your visit.
From May 1 to September 30 every year, NPS closes Raymondskill Creek from the base of the lower falls, including the pool, down to the Delaware River. For winter 2025-26, NPS closed the upper lot from January 2, or the first significant snow, through April 15. Check the conditions page for this winter's dates.
The creek spur is open from fall through spring. As of October 29, 2026, the NPS alerts feed listed nothing for Raymondskill Falls. Check the park's conditions page before you go, especially after snow.
If you are touring falls in Pike County, Bushkill Falls is a private, ticketed park with eight waterfalls on a network of trails and bridges. Unlike Raymondskill, it charges admission and closes December through March.
| Height | 150 ftNote: about 150 ft combined over three tiers, per Wikipedia; a 2017 Pike County Courier report gave 165 ft, and NPS gives no number |
|---|---|
| Trail | 0.3-mile loop with an out-and-back spur to upper and lower viewing platforms; 178 ft elevation change on a steep, uneven earthen path (NPS) |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (NPS) |
| Entry fee | Free. Delaware Water Gap charges no entrance fee, and the Raymondskill lots are not on the NPS amenity-fee list. |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | Two free lots on Raymondskill Rd; upper lot closed in winter 2025-26 |
| Dogs | No. Only service dogs are allowed on the trail (NPS). |
| Swimming | No. NPS bans swimming and wading in the falls and within 50 ft upstream. It also closes the creek from the base of the lower falls, pool included, to the Delaware River from May 1 to September 30. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No accessible route listed; NPS describes a steep, uneven earthen trail |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Seasonal, at the upper lot (NPS) |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area |
Safety and swimming
Swimming and wading are prohibited in the falls and within 50 feet upstream, NPS says. The creek below the lower falls, pool included, is closed every year from May 1 to September 30. Watch from the platforms instead.
The trail itself is the main hazard. Expect roots, rocks and wet spots on a steep, uneven path. Keep children close near the platforms, and turn back if the path is icy.
Do not leave the trail or the platforms to reach the water. Our waterfall safety guide covers more on slick rock and cold water.
Where to stay near Raymondskill Falls
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Photos
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Raymondskill Falls FAQ
Is Raymondskill Falls the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania?
Yes, according to the National Park Service, which adds that Raymondskill is only a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls. NPS gives no height in feet. Wikipedia lists about 150 feet across three tiers, and a 2017 Pike County Courier report said 165 feet.
How long is the Raymondskill Falls hike?
0.3 mile, as a loop with an out-and-back spur and 178 feet of elevation change, per NPS. The path is steep and uneven, with roots and rocks, and NPS rates it easy to moderate.
Is Raymondskill Falls free?
Yes. Delaware Water Gap has no entrance fee, and both Raymondskill lots are free. The park's 2026 amenity fee, $10 per vehicle per day, applied only at five beach and river access areas, not here.
Can you swim at Raymondskill Falls?
No. NPS bans swimming and wading in the falls and within 50 feet upstream. The creek from the base of the lower falls to the Delaware River is also closed from May 1 to September 30.
Are dogs allowed at Raymondskill Falls?
No. Only service dogs are allowed on the trail, according to NPS.
Is Raymondskill Falls open right now?
Yes, as far as NPS shows. Its alerts feed listed nothing for Raymondskill Falls on October 29, 2026. NPS closes the creek below the lower falls, pool included, from May 1 to September 30. For winter 2025-26, it closed the upper lot from January 2, or the first significant snow, through April 15.
Where do you park for Raymondskill Falls?
NPS lists two free lots on Raymondskill Road, an upper lot and a lower lot. Seasonal restrooms are at the upper lot. For winter 2025-26, NPS kept the lower lot open as conditions allowed and closed the upper lot from January 2, or the first significant snow, through April 15.
Is Raymondskill Falls wheelchair accessible?
Probably not. NPS lists no accessible route and describes a steep, uneven earthen trail with roots, rocks and 178 feet of elevation change.
Nearby waterfalls
Dingmans Falls5 mi straight-lineClosed130FT
Bushkill Falls15 mi straight-lineSeasonal100FT
Kaaterskill Falls74 mi straight-lineOpen260FT
All waterfalls in Pennsylvania
On these lists: Free waterfalls
Sources
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Raymondskill Creek Trail
- NPS: Raymondskill Falls (place page, Aug 15, 2026)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Current conditions (updated May 21, 2026)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Winter services release (Dec 9, 2025)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Fees & Passes (updated Oct 13, 2026)
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Waterfalls
- NPS Delaware Water Gap: Alerts feed (JSON)
- Wikipedia: List of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap
- Pike County Courier: Raymondskill Falls to get new viewing platforms (Jul 19, 2017) (search excerpt)
- Bushkill Falls: Park hours and general information
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.