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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Updated July 2026

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Climb the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap via the Appalachian Trail for open ridge views of the river and dense Northeast fall color. The 4.8-mile rocky descent rewards effort with some of the sharpest vistas on the AT in Pennsylvania.

Distance: 4.8 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Climbing: 1080 ft
Time: 2–3 hrs

Who It’s For Moderate hikers. 4.8 miles and 1,200 feet of gain. Well-marked AT section. Good for hikers visiting the Water Gap.

Biggest Risk Rocky trail typical of the AT in Pennsylvania. Footing requires attention on descent. Parking fills on fall foliage weekends.

When to Go Year-round. Fall is peak season. Summer is hot and humid. Good shoulder season hike in spring and fall.

Video

Info

Why is it called “Minsi”? The name comes from an alternate spelling of “Munsee,” one of the bands of the Lenni Lenape people who originally lived in this region.

Trailhead

Trailhead Address: Mount Minsi Trailhead, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18013

Fees: Free!

Mt Minsi Hike Parking — Some maps don’t show the correct road and parking, but this one does. You’ll drive down Lake Road to the first lot, continue on the one-way road to the smaller lot, then exit out to Mountain Road.

Mt Minsi Hike Parking Lot 1 — This is the first parking lot.

Warning

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. Go before you get here.

Mt Minsi Hike Alternate Parking Lot — If the parking lots are full, park in a marked spot on nearby Main Street and then walk 10 minutes to the trailhead. There is no parking on Mountain Road.

When to Go

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Winter	Winter	Winter	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Winter	Winter

Generally, you can hike Mount Minsi year-round, with the most popular times being summer and fall when the leaves change color. In winter, this normally straightforward hike can become much more challenging. If you don’t have winter hiking experience, it’s better to save this one for when you do. In good winter conditions, a few inches of snow can actually fill in the gaps between the rocks and make the hike easier. But when that snow melts into ice and slush, it can turn into a slow, frustrating slog that requires constant attention.

Gear

You’re best served by trail runners or sneakers with a good grip. The trail is rocky in spots but full hiking boots are overkill. Just look at the Appalachian Trail hikers, 99% of which are in trail runners.
Ticks and bugs are a thing here. Wear insect repellent.
Bring at least 1L of water. If you want to drink or refill from Eureka Creek or other water sources, the water needs to be filtered.
Some people have an easier time hiking up the steep slopes with trekking poles, but they’re not mandatory.
If you’re doing this in the winter, the rocky trail can also be icy. Bring micro-spikes and trekking poles if that’s the case.

Tip

See all the gear I use on hikes like this on my gear page.

Maps

Mt Minsi Hike Trail Marker — A single white blaze is the marker for the Appalachian Trail (AT). When you see two together like this, it means the trail turns in the direction of the blazes.

If you search trail guides you’ll see a few different ways to hike Minsi. I recommend the route described in this guide.

We’ll go up on the iconic Appalachian Trail. The trail is beautiful and there are viewpoints on the way up.
We’ll come back down on the Mt Minsi fire road. The descent is a bit longer but is gradual, easier on the knees, and peaceful.

Elevation Profile

Mt Minsi Hike 3d Map — We’ll do the hike in a clockwise loop, climbing the AT and descending on the fire road.

After a flat start, we’ll climb about 1000 feet in just under 2 miles. Tough but not killer.

Directions

Mount Minsi Lake Lenape — It’s thought that Lake Lenape is manmade, a dam of Caledonia Creek, created over 100 years ago for recreation when this area was booming as a resort town. It was photographed as an attraction as far back as 1890 (left) and attracted celebs like a teenage Fred Astaire and his sister (right).

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 6 — At around 0.4 miles make the left to continue on the AT.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 7 — Now the trail is narrower and more picturesque than before, including these tree tunnels of rhododendrons. Follow the white blazes of the AT.

Info

Did you know that rhododendrons are toxic? In humans eating them will get you anything from mild gas to severe nervous system issues.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 8 — As you climb you’ll get a few viewpoints of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany.

Info

**In the 1960s the plan was to dam the Delaware River just north of here. **The Tocks Island Dam would have flooded the river valley, creating a lake 140 feet deep in places that would help control an overflowing river and provide water to New York and Philadelphia. The project was met with protest and eventually scrapped. The land acquired by the federal government became the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 1 — At around 1 mile in you’ll cross Eureka Creek.

Info

28 out of the 2174 miles of the Appalachian Trail go through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. If you see backpackers going through, they might be on their journey between Georgia and Maine.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 11 — As you approach the summit, at around 1.7 miles, there’s this crossover section. Come out from the AT, cross the road, and then back on the AT.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 10 — When you come out of the AT on the last map, there’s a little dog leg to get back on the AT.

This section is a little tricky, but both routes will get you in the right place.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 12 — At about 2.1 miles you’ll see the old ruins at Mt Minsi. Continue past them.

Info

Around 100 years ago they built a steel tower here. It was used as a fire watch tower, radio tower, and airway beacon (a primitive series of lighted beacons used by airplanes before radar and radio). Today this is all that’s left.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 13 — Just past the ruins, look for a turnoff to the left for the vista point.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 14 — Enjoy the view from the vista point. Then head back to the AT / road intersection.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 15 — Okay, when you get back to this point, instead of going down the AT, go straight down Lake Road.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 16 — So here’s a picture of that intersection. You came up on that AT (to the right), go straight instead.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 19 — Just after 4 miles, there’s a split. Hike to the right on the main Lake Road. You’ll continue on and pass the AT junction we turned on earlier.

Mount Minsi Trail Guide

Video

Trailhead

When to Go

Gear

Maps

Elevation Profile

Directions

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