Egypt Mills Trailhead for the McDade Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Note: There are mile marker posts along the McDade Trail just as there are along a highway. Trail miles are counted south to north, with Mile 0 being at the southern trailhead in Hialeah. Since this report is written from the perspective of traveling south from Egypt Mills to Bushkill Access, the accounting of the trail miles covered on the trip is in reverse order.

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Trail Miles Covered:  12.3 to 9.9
Length:  2.4 miles
Difficulty:  Easy
River Run Shuttle: Bushkill Access is a regular stop on the shuttle route. No stop at Egypt Mills.

The Egypt Mills Trailhead parking lot is right on Federal Road, and the McDade Trail runs through it, continuing south at the far end. It follows Federal Road for a very short distance, crossing over Toms Creek via a pedestrian bridge before veering east towards the Delaware River. It is never close to the road again until just before the Bushkill Access parking lot.

The McDade Trail crosses Toms Creek just south of the Egypt Mills Trailhead, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

This section of the McDade Trail continues to run along relatively flat terrain all the way to Bushkill Access, and any hills that you might encounter are negligible. The first mile south of Egypt Mills is out in the open as it follows agricultural fields. Be sure to wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you.

Level and open terrain on the McDade Trail for the first mile south of the Egypt Mills Trailhead in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

One and one tenth mile from Egypt Mills, the McDade Trail dead ends into a dirt road that leads to the Valley View Group Campground. Take a left on the road and follow it all the way to the campground. At the end of the parking lot, the McDade Trail becomes a hiker-biker trail once again. It now runs through the forest all the way to Bushkill Access.

McDade Trail enters the forest at the Valley View Group Campground in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

While the McDade Trail follows the Delaware River, it’s almost never close enough to where you can see the water (not counting the hiker-only sections where you could almost jump into the water). Just past the campground is a section of trail that is pretty darn close. There are still no completely clear views due to vegetation, but for once you can actually see the river.

View of the Delaware River from the McDade Trail near the Valley View Group Campground in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Bushkill Access Trailhead comes 2.4 miles from Egypt Mills. The main draw here is a boat ramp. The McDade Trail comes in one end of a very long asphalt driveway, passes the actual boat ramp, and continues south at the other end. If you plan to begin or end your trip here, keep in mind that there are parking fees from mid-April through early October. For more details, see the National Park Service’s official Fees and Passes web page for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Ride or hike past the Bushkill Boat Ramp to continue south on the McDade Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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