Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Length:  .9 mile, one way (1.8 mile round trip)
Time:  1 hour round trip
Difficulty: easy with one small hill

The Toms Creek Trail is located in the central section of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania. It has its own parking lot with a fancy outhouse and a small picnic area. If using Google Maps for directions, search for “TOMS CREEK TRAILHEAD.”

The hike starts at the far end of the picnic area. There is an information sign at the trailhead.

Toms Creek Trail begins at the far end of the picnic area, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Start of the Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Toms Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that follows along Toms Creek and eventually just peters out for no real reason. It doesn’t lead to a waterfall or anything else spectacular, so why it ends where it does is anyone’s guess. It follows closely to the creek for much of its length, making it one of the more scenic and pleasurable hikes in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. On top of that, it is an easy trail to hike with a smooth surface relatively free of rocks and roots and with only one hill worth mentioning. You could push a baby stroller most of the way if it has large wheels.

Toms Creek Trail follows right along Toms Creek for most of its length, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The trail does not follow the creek the entire time, so do not expect to spend every minute of the hike along the water. However, it does stay close enough that you can always hear the water flowing.

Typical terrain on the Toms Creek Trail when it is not within sight of Toms Creek, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

As mentioned, Toms Creek Trail is not completely flat. Around .4 mile into the hike is a short-but-moderately-steep uphill climb followed by an equally steep descent. There are also a lot more rocks on the trail at this section. A person in a wheelchair can make it to this point, but it would take some doing to get up this hill.

Hilly section at the midway point on the Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

While the Toms Creek Trail starts off fairly wide, once it gets past the halfway point and climbs up and over the small hill, it becomes a narrow foot path.

Typical terrain on the second half of the Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

After a mile, the trail comes to an abrupt end at a bend in the creek. There is a bench for those who want to sit and contemplate life. You can keep walking along the bank if you want to, and there appears to be some sort of path—I’m not sure how far you can go—but the official Toms Creek Trail ends at the bench.

End of the Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Toms Creek at the end of the Toms Creek Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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