This 1,600-acre park features a wave pool, dog park, historic cabin, and several miles of hiking trails.Īlong one of the park’s trails, you’ll find a small waterfall, which is a great destination for those that love hiking and are looking for beautiful waterfalls near Pittsburgh. Settler’s Cabin Park is located in Allegheny County to the west of downtown Pittsburgh. And, within these parks lie some hidden gems, including a small waterfall in Settler’s Cabin Park. If you’re in western PA and love the outdoors, you’re in luck because there are many great parks in the Pittsburgh area. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something at no additional cost to you. Heading out of town for a fun and scenic hike makes for a wonderful family adventure year-round, but it's particularly pleasant in the fall when the temps aren't too hot or cold and spring when water levels often surge.Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. You'll get Delaware River access, a general store, guided canoe trips and more than 100 tenting sites. If you would rather dine closer to the falls, there are lots of family-friendly restaurants in that area.įor major nature lovers, turn your getaway into an overnight adventure by pitching a tent at the Dingmans Campground, a privately run campsite within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The menu is full of kid-pleasers like giant burgers, fries and thick shakes. We prefer to go inside to watch the electric train chug around the top of the dining room. Park in one of the designated carhop spots and you can eat in your vehicle.
Located on New Jersey's Route 15 (if you're headed back to NYC), this retro-themed joint blasts music from the '50s and '60s, has old records and movie posters on the walls and a cool vintage car displayed at its center. We always end our trip with dinner at The Chatterbox Drive-In, which is just 30 minutes by car from the falls. The Chatterbox Drive-In is as fun as it looks! (Photo courtesy of Chatterbox.) The EcoZone children's exploration area is another highlight, but be sure to check its schedule as it's only open to the public on select Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Here you'll find more hiking trails of varying difficulty, including short, easy ones for families and a sensory awareness loop you do blindfolded. RELATED: 5 Fall Foliage Hikes in the Delaware Water GapĪfterward, my family and I always stop at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, which is just a 10-minute drive from either park. Make sure to stop in the Visitor Center that offers animal hide and nature displays. The namesake waterfall is an impressive sight it's the second-largest waterfall in all of Pennsylvania! Comparatively, Silverthread is rather small, just a slim stream of water that sometimes slows down to a trickle. The trail is easy for little feet but also great for strollers, because it's actually a raised wooden platform. You'll find two falls at the Dingmans Falls Visitors Center. (Photo courtesy of Pikes County Tourism.) The stunning Dingmans Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Pennsylvania. RELATED: 5 Easy Family Hikes in Hudson Valley The park has several picnic tables so pack a picnic. There are some wooden stairs and a bridge or two along the way, but nothing a young child (or less than athletic parent) can't handle. The 1.4-mile trail passes three incredible waterfalls: Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls and Deer Leap Falls. The nicely groomed route is shady and follows a creek bed, so it's a flat loop that ultimately brings you back to where you started. Childs Recreation Site parking lot, a quick stroll brings you to the trailhead in a forest of hemlock trees. (Photo courtesy of the National Parks Department.)
Factory Falls, one of the three waterfalls you'll find at the George W.