Eat Well. Explore More.
The Walpack Inn sits at the heart of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — 67,000 acres of wilderness protected by the National Park Service, bordered by Stokes State Forest and a couple of miles from the Delaware River. Our kitchen is your basecamp. Whether you came for the trails, the water, the wildlife, or the table itself — you belong here.
Available activities in the region: hiking • rafting • canoeing • kayaking • fishing • cycling • mountain biking • horseback riding • camping • swimming • ziplining • picnicking • cross-country skiing • birdwatching • shooting
🚌 Free weekend bus service available in summer via MCTA — stops ~20 minutes from the Inn.
Nearby Adventure
Trail after trail, waterfall after waterfall. Some of the Northeast's most rewarding outdoor destinations are right outside the door.
Buttermilk Falls Trail
New Jersey's highest waterfall — a rewarding out-and-back for all skill levels. A little over 3 miles from the Inn on foot. Due to a current bridge closure, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
~3 miles on foot • ~30 min drive • Delaware Water Gap NRA
↑ Back to listChilds Park State Forest
A scenic Pennsylvania state forest trail winding past three stunning waterfalls — Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls, and Deer Leap Falls — set in a beautiful hemlock gorge. Flat and accessible for most visitors.
~20 minutes from the Inn • Pike County, PA
↑ Back to listDingmans Falls
One of the most visited natural attractions in the Delaware Water Gap NRA — Dingmans Falls and nearby Silverthread Falls are accessible via a flat, well-maintained boardwalk trail. Easy for all ages.
~15 minutes from the Inn • Pike County, PA
↑ Back to listTillman Ravine Natural Area
A serene, old-growth hemlock ravine with a cascading stream and small waterfalls. Enchanting in any season — lush and green in summer, icy and otherworldly in winter, brilliant in fall. A true hidden escape.
1.5 miles walking • ~20 minute drive • Stokes State Forest
↑ Back to listSunrise Mountain
A stunning 1,653-foot summit with panoramic views and a historic CCC-built pavilion. One of the most rewarding short drives in Sussex County — especially at golden hour.
~25 minutes from the Inn • Stokes State Forest
↑ Back to listStokes State Forest Trails
More than 63 miles of maintained trails weaving through hardwood forests, ridgelines, and stream valleys. From short nature walks to full-day ridge hikes.
~22 minutes from the Inn • Stokes State Forest
↑ Back to listAppalachian Trail — NJ Section
The AT passes through the Delaware Water Gap with some of its most scenic NJ miles. High usage from thru-hikers and day-trippers spring through fall.
Accessible within the NRA • Multiple trailheads
↑ Back to listBushkill Falls
"The Niagara of Pennsylvania." Eight waterfalls with trails ranging from easy strolls to full hikes — something for every age and ability level.
~25 minutes from the Inn • Pike County, PA
↑ Back to listMcDade Recreational Trail
A 31-mile multi-use trail running alongside the Delaware River through the heart of the NRA. Excellent river views on a well-maintained surface — great for cyclists and casual hikers alike.
~15–20 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap NRA • Multiple access points
↑ Back to listThe Delaware River
The closest river access is the Dingmans Ferry boat ramp — about 10 minutes from the Inn — where you can launch your own kayak or paddleboard. Other access points along the river, including Kittatinny Canoes, offer full rentals for those without their own equipment.
~10 minutes from the Inn • Dingmans Ferry, PA • Delaware Water Gap NRA
↑ Back to listKittatinny Canoes
The region's go-to outfitter for canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals on the Delaware River. Also offers ziplining for those looking for an adrenaline add-on.
~38 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap corridor
↑ Back to listFlatbrook-Roy Wildlife Management Area
One of NJ's premier natural areas — excellent for fly-fishing on Flatbrook Creek, one of the state's best trout streams, and outstanding for birdwatching in a pristine valley setting.
~10 minutes from the Inn • Sussex County, NJ
↑ Back to listCrater Lake
A quiet glacial kettle lake tucked into the ridges of the Delaware Water Gap NRA. Non-motorized boating, fishing, and a peaceful loop trail through hardwood forest. A favorite for those who want lake time without the crowds.
~33 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ side
↑ Back to listBlue Mountain Lake
A serene mountain lake within the NRA — clear water, non-motorized boating, and an interconnected trail network that links to Crater Lake. Excellent for a half-day of paddling and walking.
~22 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ side
↑ Back to listMilford, PA
One of the most walkable towns in the Delaware River corridor. Boutique restaurants, local galleries, and craft shops — all within a charming historic downtown. A natural anchor for a Delaware Water Gap weekend.
~20 minutes from the Inn • Pike County, PA
↑ Back to listMilford Beach
A fee area on the Delaware River with a sandy beach, boat launch, and picnic areas with shade. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and small boat launches are all available. The northern terminus of the McDade Recreational Trail is nearby. Arrive early on summer weekends — parking fills quickly and closes when full, with no reservations accepted.
Note: Pets are not permitted at the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
~20 minutes from the Inn • Milford, PA • Delaware Water Gap NRA
↑ Back to listFlatbrook WMA — Rifle Range
An outdoor rifle range within the Flatbrook-Roy Wildlife Management Area, just down the road from the Inn. Shooters must bring their own equipment. A great option for those with their own firearms looking for an outdoor range experience.
189 National Park Service Rd 615 • Sussex County, NJ • Just down the road from the Inn
↑ Back to listDingman's Shooting Range
An indoor shooting range in the Dingmans Ferry corridor. Bring your own equipment, or take advantage of on-site rentals and instructors — making it a strong choice for first-timers and visitors without their own gear.
~21 minutes from the Inn • Dingmans Ferry area, PA • Verify hours before visiting
↑ Back to listStokes State Forest Campgrounds
Tent sites and lean-to shelters across the forest. Book through the NJ State Park system. Campers frequently stop at the Inn for dinner before or after their stay.
~22 minutes from the Inn • Stokes State Forest
↑ Back to listDingmans Campground
65 acres and 134 sites inside the Delaware Water Gap NRA — tent sites in old-growth forest, river campsites along the Delaware, and RV hookups with water and electric. The McDade Trail begins at the front entrance, and a boat launch provides direct Delaware River access. Camp store and bike rentals on site.
~15 minutes from the Inn • Dingmans Ferry, PA
↑ Back to listFamily Experiences
The Walpack Inn is one of the few restaurants in the country where your children can watch deer graze steps from the windows during dinner. The surrounding region is equally alive — from sunflower mazes to living history villages, this is where families make memories that outlast the weekend.
Sussex County Sunflower Maze
A beloved late-summer tradition in Sussex County. Acres of sunflowers and a winding maze make for a perfect family afternoon. Available August through September.
~14 minutes from the Inn • Sussex County, NJ • August – September
↑ Back to listShawnee Mountain
A family ski resort in the Pocono Mountains — skiing, snowboarding, and tubing through the winter season. Popular with families from the Tri-State area.
~39 minutes from the Inn • Shawnee on Delaware, PA • Winter season
↑ Back to listSerene Horse Ranch
Guided trail rides through the scenic landscape surrounding the Delaware Water Gap. A unique way to experience the region's forests and open countryside on horseback.
~15 minutes from the Inn
↑ Back to listPeters Valley School of Craft & Gallery
A nationally recognized craft school and working art gallery set on 100 acres in the NRA. Workshops in blacksmithing, ceramics, fiber arts, photography, and more — alongside rotating exhibitions of fine craft by resident and visiting artists. A true hidden gem.
~8 minutes from the Inn • Layton, NJ • Delaware Water Gap NRA • Visit the Gallery ↗
↑ Back to listThe Walpack Historical Society
Dedicated to preserving the story of the Walpack Valley — a community displaced when the NRA was established. The Society hosts hikes, educational tours, and various events throughout the year. Visit their website and social pages to learn about upcoming events in the Walpack Valley.
Walpack Center, NJ
↑ Back to listPEEC — Pocono Environmental Education Center
One of the finest environmental education centers in the Northeast — and genuinely worth planning your weekend around. PEEC runs a packed calendar of weekend programs: guided nature walks, wildlife tracking, stargazing, pond studies, birding hikes, and family-friendly events throughout spring and summer.
Check their event calendar before your visit — weekends fill up fast.
~25 minutes from the Inn • Dingmans Ferry, PA
↑ Back to listGrey Towers National Historic Site
The ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot — America's first professional forester and founder of the U.S. Forest Service. A stunning French château-style mansion with guided tours, sweeping grounds, and a fascinating conservation legacy. Located in Milford, PA.
~30 minutes from the Inn • Milford, PA
↑ Back to listOld Mine Road
One of America's oldest continuously used roads — a scenic drive through the core of the NRA, popular with cyclists, photographers, and history buffs. Along the way, look for Van Campen Inn, a beautifully preserved 18th-century historic site within the NRA.
~8 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap NRA, NJ side
↑ Back to listMillbrook Village
A restored 19th-century village inside the Delaware Water Gap NRA, featuring historic buildings and structures. Grounds are open to walk freely at any time. On select days throughout summer and fall, volunteers open buildings for demonstrations of period crafts and daily life.
Check the NPS events calendar and social media for volunteer demonstration dates before your visit.
~20 minutes from the Inn • Delaware Water Gap NRA
↑ Back to listExplorer Photos
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — 67,000 acres of forest, river, ridge, and valley, right outside the door.
Walpack Inn backfields — the open meadows and woodland paths surrounding the Inn, at the edge of the national recreation area.
Buttermilk Falls — New Jersey's tallest waterfall, set within the Delaware Water Gap NRA.
On the Delaware — paddle boarding the river.
Bushkill Falls — "The Niagara of Pennsylvania." Eight cascading waterfalls through the hemlock gorges of Pike County, ~25 minutes from the Inn.
Bee balm blooming in the fields surrounding the Inn — a midsummer staple of the Walpack Valley.
Bee balm in the Walpack Valley.
Dining room view — floor-to-ceiling windows open to the field where deer often graze at dusk, steps from the table.
Wildlife at Walpack — deer, fox, wild turkey, and the occasional black bear move freely through the forest and meadows surrounding the Inn.
The fields surrounding the Walpack Inn - take a walk out to the knoll before or after your meal.
Sussex County Sunflower Maze — acres of late-summer sunflowers, 14 minutes from the Inn.
Getting Here & Getting Around
MCTA ↗ provides free weekend public bus service during summer months with stops in Dingman's Ferry and Milford, PA — approximately 20 minutes from the Inn. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is accessible year-round, with peak season running May through October. Trail guides and resources are available through the National Park Service ↗ and National Geographic ↗.
Your Table Is Waiting
Make a reservation at the Walpack Inn — a New Jersey original since 1949. Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Reserve Your Table