The trail of the month for August is the Tumbling Waters Trail at Pocono Environmental Education Center campus in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area! Log miles at “Pocono Environmental Education Center” to participate!
We are halfway through our 165-mile challenge! Log 165 miles participating in your favorite activity anywhere from May 1 through November 12th to earn the 165-mile challenge badge and get Tail on the Trail swag!
A Scenic, 3-Mile Loop Trail with a Waterfall, Wildlife and More
An intermediate-difficulty trail with plenty of unique sights along the way.
Located within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is a local non-profit that advances environmental education and sustainability through hands-on experiences in a national park. The PEEC campus includes 6 hiking trails, but one of the best ways to experience the natural history and beauty of the area is by exploring the Tumbling Waters trail. Named after the waterfall along its’ path, Tumbling Waters is an intermediate, 3-mile loop perfect for experienced hikers or novice adventurers interested in broadening their abilities.
The loop begins at the Visitors Center at 538 Emery Rd. Dingman’s Ferry, which is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Stop by to say hi to staff, look through their educational display, and spend some money on a souvenir in the bookstore. You can also find out about the latest educational programs like family nature weekends, community festivals, community dinners, and more on their calendar before you go! You should also pick up or download PEEC’s Trail guide, which corresponds with numbered markers along the trail. These explanations give visitors a glimpse into both the natural and human history of this beautiful area, and it will help you identify a lot of the flora and fauna that you come across!
From the Visitors Center, the trail winds its way through several diverse habitats that are characteristic of the Pocono region, each with a different natural experience. As you wander through the hemlock ravines, you’ll become overwhelmed with the sounds of songbirds high in the state tree. Whether you are a beginner at birding or an expert, you should download PEEC’s avian checklist to keep a record of the species you find along the trail. Soon, you’ll come across one of the highlights of the trail – the shaded Tumbling Waters Waterfall. This serene spot offers visitors the chance to take stunning photos and immerse themselves in the peacefulness of the forest. The ecosystem will then transition into a mixed oak forest, with many opportunities to spot wildlife like deer, chipmunks, and of course more avian species! The climax of this trail is a scenic vista overlooking the Delaware River Valley, which is a great spot to stop for lunch and to watch birds of prey searching for food in the valley below.
You may also notice parallel grooves and scratches on the surface of the exposed bedrock along the entire trail. This feature is evidence of 13,000-year-old glacial history! As glaciers receded from the last Ice Age, rocks carried in these glaciers made these marks as they scraped across the surface of the rock. These mile-thick glaciers carved out a lot of your favorite natural features that exist in PA today!
If you choose to make your excursion longer, there are 12 beautiful trails on the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) campus that are worth exploring. PEEC’s campus offers a variety of trails for all abilities, ages, and ranges of mobility, including the ADA accessible called “A Trail for Everyone”. Beyond the center, you’ll find vast forests, waterways, and overlooks that are part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Long-distance trails like the McDade Trail, which spans the length of the park, and a section of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail offer visitors a unique hiking and backpacking experiences. The National Park site is also home to a range of activities from biking and cross-country skiing to Paddling, and it is worth spending a few days here to get the full experience. The center is a short drive to Milford and Stroudsburg, both of which have the charm of a small town, with unique places to shop, dine, and enjoy the outdoors!
PEEC’s trails are established and maintained by NPS and PEEC volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help maintain trails at the Center, contact PEEC’s Volunteer Coordinator Kate Hausman at KHausman@peec.org
Thank you to Amanda Subjin, Director of Development, for providing the information for this blog.
Featured Image (top) courtesy of Pocono Environmental Education Center.
County: Pike
Surface: Rocky, Dirt Path
The Tumbling Waters Trail offers views into several diverse plant and animal habitats. It’s also become quite a popular spot for local bird watchers. And, of course, the trail’s namesake waterfall offers a peaceful respite along the way.
