Best Hiking Trails Near NYCPennsylvania Waterfalls & Mountain Escapes
Escape the city and discover the most spectacular hiking trails near NYC. Just 2-2.5 hours from Manhattan, explore Pennsylvania's legendary Ricketts Glen with 21 waterfalls, the famous Bushkill Falls, and 20+ incredible hiking destinationsaccessible by car or train. Complete guide with detailed directions, difficulty ratings, and insider tips for the ultimate NYC hiking escape.
Best Hiking Trails by Distance from NYC
Organized by travel time from Manhattan for easy trip planning
Within 1.5 Hours of NYC
Perfect for day trips and accessible by public transit + rideshare
Delaware Water Gap
70,000 acres of National Recreation Area featuring Dingmans Falls (130ft), Raymondskill Falls (tallest in PA at 470ft), and dozens of trails.
Harriman State Park (NY)
NYC's backyard wilderness with 200+ miles of hiking trails, lakes, and mountain views. Accessible by public transit.
Storm King Art Center
Unique combination of hiking trails and world-class outdoor sculpture installations across 500 acres of Hudson Valley landscape.
2-2.5 Hours from NYC
The ultimate hiking destinations worth the drive from the city
Ricketts Glen State Park
The ultimate hiking destination near NYC. This legendary 7.2-mile Falls Trail features 21 named waterfalls including the spectacular 94-foot Ganoga Falls. Just 2.5 hours from Manhattan, it's considered the Northeast's premier waterfall hiking experience. This National Natural Landmark offers the most concentrated and spectacular waterfall hiking accessible from NYC, making the drive absolutely worthwhile for serious hikers.
150 miles, 2.5 hours
Most Difficult
4-6 hours
Car rental recommended
Bushkill Falls
Pennsylvania's most famous waterfall destination with 8 falls and well-maintained trails. Perfect for NYC families and less experienced hikers.
High Point State Park (NJ)
New Jersey's highest elevation with panoramic views of three states. Multiple trails including sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Transportation from NYC to Pennsylvania Hiking
Multiple ways to reach Pennsylvania's best hiking destinations from New York City
By Car (Recommended)
Most flexible option for hiking adventures
To Ricketts Glen (2.5 hours)
Take I-80 West through New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Exit 274 for PA-339 North to park entrance.
- • Car Rental: Enterprise, Hertz, Budget (from $50/day)
- • Zipcar: Available for day trips (~$90/day)
- • Parking: Free at all Pennsylvania state parks
- • Gas/Tolls: ~$40 total for roundtrip
To Bushkill Falls (2 hours)
Take I-80 West to Exit 309 (Marshalls Creek). Follow US-209 North to Bushkill Falls Road.
- • Total Cost: Car rental + gas ~$80-120/day
- • Advantage: Multiple stops, gear storage, flexible timing
Public Transit + Rideshare
Eco-friendly option for closer destinations
To Delaware Water Gap (1.5 hours)
NJ Transit to Stroudsburg, then rideshare/taxi to trailheads. Most feasible public transit option.
- • Train: NJ Transit to Stroudsburg (~$25)
- • Rideshare: Uber/Lyft to trailheads (~$15-25)
- • Total Cost: ~$60-80 roundtrip per person
- • Best For: Dingmans Falls, Bushkill Falls
Organized Day Tours
Several companies offer day trips to Pennsylvania waterfalls from NYC during peak season.
- • Cost: $80-150 per person
- • Includes: Transportation, guide, some meals
- • Season: April-October typically
NYC to Pennsylvania Hiking Trip Ideas
Perfect itineraries for escaping the city to Pennsylvania's best hiking
Perfect Day Trips from NYC
Ultimate Ricketts Glen Day Trip
Leave NYC 5:30 AM, arrive 8 AM, hike 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, drive back arrive NYC 6 PM. The ultimate waterfall experience from the city.
Bushkill Falls Family Adventure
Leave NYC 8 AM, arrive 10 AM, explore multiple trails until 3 PM, return by 6 PM. Perfect for families and less experienced hikers.
Delaware Water Gap Express
Closest major destination. Leave NYC 9 AM, arrive 10:30 AM, explore Dingmans + Raymondskill Falls, return by 5 PM via public transit.
Weekend Getaway Ideas
Pennsylvania Waterfall Weekend
Day 1: Ricketts Glen Falls Trail (stay near park), Day 2: Bushkill Falls + Delaware Water Gap. The ultimate Pennsylvania waterfall experience.
Find Accommodations →Pocono Mountains Explorer
Base camp in the Poconos and hit multiple destinations: Bushkill Falls, Delaware Water Gap, Promised Land State Park. Great for groups.
NYC Hiking Challenge
Saturday: Ricketts Glen Falls Trail (most difficult), Sunday: recover with easier trails (Harriman State Park or Delaware Water Gap easier trails).
NYC Area Hiking FAQ
What are the best hiking trails near NYC?
The best hiking trails near NYC include Ricketts Glen Falls Trail in Pennsylvania (2.5 hours, 21 waterfalls), Bushkill Falls (2 hours, 8 waterfalls), Delaware Water Gap (1.5 hours, multiple trails), and Harriman State Park (1 hour, 200+ trails).Ricketts Glen offers the most spectacular experience despite the longer travel time.
How far is Ricketts Glen from NYC?
Ricketts Glen is 150 miles from NYC, approximately 2.5 hours driving time from Manhattan via I-80 West. While it's the furthest major hiking destination, the 21-waterfall experience including the spectacular 94-foot Ganoga Falls makes it absolutely worth the drive for serious hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Can you get to Pennsylvania hiking trails from NYC without a car?
Yes, but with limitations. Delaware Water Gap is accessible via NJ Transit to Stroudsburg plus rideshare to trailheads. Some tour companies offer day trips to Bushkill Falls. However, renting a car provides the most flexibilityand access to destinations like Ricketts Glen which are not accessible by public transit.
What's the best day trip hiking destination from NYC?
For the best day trip hiking from NYC, Ricketts Glen Falls Trail offers the most spectacular experience with 21 waterfalls in a single hike. For shorter travel times, Bushkill Falls (2 hours) provides excellent waterfall hiking with multiple trail options. Delaware Water Gap (1.5 hours) offers the shortest drive with good public transit options.
Escape NYC to Pennsylvania's Best Hiking
From the legendary Ricketts Glen Falls Trail to family-friendly Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania's incredible hiking adventures await just 2-2.5 hours from Manhattan.