New Jersey
Nature|Waterfalls

Spend The Day Exploring Dozens Of Waterfalls In New Jersey’s Water Gap Recreation Area

Explore the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to discover stunning waterfalls and scenic hiking trails.

Published Feb 28, 2022

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area protects 70,000 acres of forest and highlands in northern New Jersey and across the river into Pennsylvania. This area is renowned for its gorgeous scenery and breathtaking landscape. If you're looking to explore the Water Gap area, you'll find plenty of waterfalls along the way. Here are a few of our favorites.

When most people think of the Delaware Water Gap, Mount Tammany and Mount Minsi come to mind.

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AllTrails / SQ Z

There are more than just stunning panoramic views within this recreation area. There are dozens of waterfalls and cascades hiding around every corner.

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AllTrails / Kanus Li

Take a look at some of our favorites, and plan to add them to your hiking bucket list this year.

Dunnfield Creek

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AllTrails / Sam Anthony

The Dunnfield Creek sits at the base of Mount Tammany, one of the Water Gap's most famous features. Hike to the top of Tammany and then out to Sunfish Pond, and you can spend the rest of your day walking along the creek, crossing the river, and enjoying plenty of small cascades as the elevation drops on your way back towards the trailhead.

Garvey Spring

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AllTrails / Patrick Heintz

Garvey Spring is an underrated trail that takes hikers up to Sunfish Pond. It's less trafficked than the Tammany Trail, and the waterfall roars year-round.

Coppermine & Kaiser Trail

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Google Local / Keith P.

The Coppermine and Kaiser Trails form a loop along one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. Hike up the Coppermines side first, and you'll be hiking along the cascade all the way up. Then, enjoy ridgeline views before heading back down the Kaiser Trail.

Stony Brook

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AllTrails / Maria Zdroik

Stony Brook Falls is located on a quiet and relaxing trail that often gets overlooked. It's part of the Silver Mine Loop, closer to High Point in Stokes State Forest.

Buttermilk Falls

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AllTrails / K Fish

No list of waterfalls at the Water Gap would be complete without a mention of Buttermilk Falls. This enormous, tumbling cascade draws thousands of visitors each year, so you may want to plan for an off-season or weekday visit if you want to get the best views.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Magnificent Waterfall In New Jersey That’s Located Only Minutes From Main Street

Not only is there a great hidden waterfall in NJ hiding in the town of Little Falls, but it's found in a quaint park with little walking.

Published Sep 12, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New Jersey has some amazing waterfalls, most of them in our many parks and mountains. A day trip to explore these amazing cascades is always worth it - but sometimes there's just no time for that! So what happens when you need the calming effect of a waterfall, but you don't have time to head to the biggest? Well, we discovered an incredible hidden waterfall in NJ waiting in the town of Little Falls - and it's surprisingly close to the town center! Found in a small park known as the Morris Canal Preserve, it's part of the Morris Canal Greenway - a still-under-construction trail that will ultimately connect four New Jersey counties over a whopping 111-mile stretch. It's still far from that goal, but this incredible waterfall is only one of the charming surprises you can see along the way. Read on to discover this hidden gem!

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To find New Jersey's best-hidden waterfall, just look for the archway reading "Morris Canal Preserve" - it's well-hidden, but it's your pathway to serenity.

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Burt Shoobs/Google Local

Inside, you'll find a small and rarely crowded park that's filled with nice shady spots for a hot day.

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PR/AllTrails

Even when you go off the beaten path, the trails are pretty easy to navigate - so just follow them until you get to the water.

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PR AllTrails

It's a 0.2-mile walk along the Passaic River past some impressive old buildings before you reach your destination...

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Ricardo Monte/AllTrails

This is one of the smaller waterfalls in New Jersey, but it has powerful rushing water especially after a rainstorm.

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Jenny Lai/AllTrails

It's a beautifully serene spot, and because it's hidden in plain sight, you'll rarely have too many people joining you - it's easy to get a great photo.

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Ricardo Monte/AllTrails

The entry to the preserve is right across the street from the Valley National Bank on main street, which makes it easy to locate if you know what you're looking for.

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PR/AllTrails

Have you visited this hidden waterfall in NJ in the town of Little Falls? What are your favorite spots along the Morris Canal Greenway? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section! If you want to learn more about the past, present, and future of the Morris Canal Greenway, check out the official website. There's more to do in Little Falls than just this spot, too - it's an amazing historic day trip. And if you're looking for a place to stay in the area, we recommend the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel & Suites Fairfield - it's only a ten-minute drive away.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall in New Jersey Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The most secret waterfall in New Jersey, Kugler Falls is located close to the Pennsylvania border and is a worthy adventure to reach!

Published Sep 10, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

For a small and highly urban state, New Jersey has some amazing Garden State Waterfalls. Yet, for all the cascades everyone knows, there are some much better-hidden ones. These are the ones hiding in little-known state parks, that require a challenging hike to reach. Your reward? One of the best views in New Jersey. If you're up for the challenge, there's one of these secret waterfalls in New Jersey only minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The Kugler Woods Preserve, found in Stockton, is home to the Kugler Woods Preserve Trail, which leads you to the little-known Kugler Falls. This trail is less than half a mile, but it'll test you along the way. Read on to discover your next great waterfall adventure!

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Mike User/AllTrails

Kugler Woods Preserve is one of the most peaceful spots in New Jersey, a little nature preserve run by the Hunterdon Land Trust. It's a great spot to spend the day - but if you're up for it, there's a challenge awaiting with a great reward at the end.

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The Kugler Woods Preserve Trail is only 0.4 miles, but this woodlands trail is rated moderate and is rarely very busy. You should bring good hiking boots and be prepared for some seriously uneven terrain.

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Shaun Williams/AllTrails

This trail includes bouldering and should only be attempted in good weather. You don't want slick boulders, but it's best to take this trail outside of dry seasons.

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Tamilyn Bee/AllTrails

That's because Kugler Falls, coming in at 12 feet, is only running when there's a sufficient waterflow. You'll want to come after a heavy rain, but once the area surrounding it has had a chance to dry off a bit.

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Khurtwilliams/Flickr

Your reward for this challenging journey is easily one of the most peaceful waterfalls in New Jersey. That it's so secret and is only running for some parts of the year makes it all the more special - like you're in on one of the Garden State's best little nature secrets.

Have you visited Kugler Falls in the Kugler Woods Preserve? Let us know about your visit to this secret waterfall in New Jersey in the comments section! You can see more photos of the trail on the official AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails + for this journey - you'll want its point-by-point directions on your side as you navigate this challenging trail. If you'd like to bunk down for the night before trying this trail, we found a great vacation home rental in Stockton.

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