Delaware Water Gap Offers Views, But Beware

I know we have all been ‘THRU’ the Delaware Water Gap many, many times!! Whether via I 80 on the Jersey side, or Route 611, the Scenic Route, along the Pennsy side. Yes, some people, are lucky enough, to have made that journey, “while on” the Delaware River, but, by and large, most are in cars.

I am also aware, that there are many other places offering different views of this Natural Geological Wonder:

FROM AFAR, the many scenic overlooks here I’m thinking of I 80’s mp19 east and west, giving beautiful views from 20 miles away. Or a little closer, the Hope – Great Meadows Scenic Overlook perched high above the Village of Hope about 12 miles away. A little closer yet, the I 80 mp 6w. There are many other overlooks. Maybe I should reframe that word overlooks, to places you may observe and catch a glimpse of the Water Gap!

All located throughout Warren County, giving the OBSERVANT visitor views/snapshots of the Water Gap from different angles and perspectives!

FROM WITHIN THE WATER GAP ITSELF, and keep in mind the Water Gap is actually about 4 miles long, so you may get many different views and panoramas.

LOOKING DOWN FROM THE TOP, both sides of the Water Gap, Mt. Tammany in NJ and Mt. Minsi in PA both offer spectacular views from varying heights while traveling up and down both mountains! NOTE/OBSERVATION – Not everyone is physically able to make these hikes.

LOOKING UP while going through the Water Gap. AHH, now here, your opportunities for views begins to have some restrictions!

Pennsylvania side first. Driving through and even hiking through the Water Gap, your viewshed looking up and the view to Mount Minsi is quite limited, limited by trees along the road. Your views across the river looking up at Mt. Tammany are also somewhat limited to the three Scenic Overlooks located alongside the Route 611.

Going east to west Arrow Island Overlook, Point of the Gap Overlook and Resort Point Overlook and otherwise trees along the roadway restrict your views. Some other restrictions to keep in mind I definitely, would not advise hiking/roadside walking between The Point of the Gap Overlook and Resort Point Overlook. You are literally ON/IN the road/NO SHOULDER on either side of the road! Even your drive through that area you are paying attention to driving, curves, narrow road, and both sides, once you are off the pavement, there is a cement/rock barrier on the riverside and rock cliffs on the mountain side!

Jersey side view-wise, you fare better. You have a pretty consistent view looking across the Delaware River at Mt. Minsi in PA. Your view looking up to view Mt Tammany has several places with no restrictions, HOWEVER, you are in the right lane, with no shoulder, in the places that you can look up! Driving, the only people looking up, would be those on the right side of your car, preferably window down!

I have given you my physical description of traveling through the Water Gap. Perusing my archives I came up with some photos I took literally walking along the top of the rock wall along I 80 in the rockslide area. I’m thinking not many people do this! Might be interesting to share these, giving people snapshots of what this area looks like, up close! OBSERVATION – driving by this rockslide area most people don’t realize just how big those rocks are.

Years ago, back in the early 1980’s, I was a member of the NJ State Police – T.E.A.M.S. Unit (Technical Emergency And Missions Specialists) and we did a joint training program with the National Park’s Police Rescue Unit comparing and learning about each-others rock rescue techniques. We included some work among this boulder field in the slide area. Believe me, they are larger than they look from the car!