Level terrain on the McDade Trail between the Riverview and Smithfield Beach trailheads in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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 at Hialeah. Since this report is written from the perspective of traveling south from the Riverview Trailhead to Smithfield Beach, the accounting of the trail miles covered on the trip is in reverse order.
Trail Miles Covered: 4.1 to 1.9
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
River Run Shuttle: Smithfield Beach is an official stop on the shuttle route. The bus does not stop at Riverview.
The Riverview Trailhead parking lot is directly on River Road, and the McDade Trail is accessed directly from the parking lot. It comes in one end and exits out the other.
Parking lot at the McDade Trail’s Riverview Trailhead, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The McDade Trail starts off through the forest on flat ground. It remains level and easy to hike or bike all the way to Smithfield Beach.
Level terrain on the McDade Trail just south of the Riverview Trailhead in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Roughly three quarters of a mile south of Riverview, the McDade Trail exits the forest and now runs along corn and soybean fields. Being out in the open, if avoiding the sun is important to you, be sure to wear a hat and apply sunscreen. This open area lasts for 1.2 mile. The last .3 mile north of Smithfield Beach is back in the forest.
Much of the McDade Trail between the Riverview and Smithfield Beach trailheads runs along agricultural fields, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Smithfield Beach has a lot of amenities, including a swimming beach, boat ramp, restrooms, and picnic area. If you start or end a trip on the McDade Trail from here, there is a fee to park from mid-April until early October. Start at Hialeah, the southern terminus of the McDade Trail, and save your money.
Smithfield Beach swimming area in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Last updated on January 24, 2024
