Home » Outdoors

Pennsylvania Waterfalls: The Falls of George W. Childs Park

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something at no additional cost to you.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area of the Poconos Mountains is known for its beautiful natural scenery and impressive waterfalls. Visitors come from all over the region to see well-known waterfalls like Raymondskill Falls, Dingmans Falls, and Bushkill Falls. However, there are many more waterfalls in the Poconos that are worth taking the time to visit.

One such area is George W. Childs Park along the western edges of the park. This small area is home to three beautiful waterfalls along Dingmans Creek, just a few miles upstream of Dingmans Falls, the second largest waterfall in Pennsylvania. The three waterfalls here are each different and very unique. I can’t recall seeing any other waterfalls in Pennsylvania that resemble any of the falls in Childs Park.

Note: As of October 2022, the site is still closed after a storm in 2018. However, the National Park Service has announced that they have plans to reopen the site. The work will be done in 2023, with a target opening date of the spring of 2024.

Access to the falls is by a single path that winds its way along both sides of the creek, in many places clinging to the stone edges above the rushing water, for a total of roughly 1.5 miles. However, thanks to the National Park Service, the paths are wide and very well maintained. There are even wooden steps in many of the steeper sections of the trail and several bridges that cross Dingmans Creek.

George Childs Park Trail, Delaware Water Gap of Pennsylvania
The trail winds its way through George Childs Park.

The first waterfall is about a third of a mile down a wide and handicap-accessible trail. This waterfall is known as Factory Falls because it is located next to a 19th century woolen mill.The stone foundations of this mill remain and add a nice touch of history to this beautiful hike.

Woolen Mill at Factory Falls, George Childs Park
This 19th-century woolen mill sits next to Factory Falls.

Factory Falls drops twice, with the creek making a 90-degree turn between the two falls. While there is a viewing platform on the side of the creek nearest to the parking area, the best views and the old mill are from the far side of the creek.

Factory Falls at George Childs Park, Pike County, Pennsylvania
Factory Falls is the shortest of the three waterfalls at George Childs Park.

In fact, at all three George W. Childs Park waterfalls, the northern banks of the creek offer the best views. What many do is hike down the side of Dingmans Creek closest to the parking, and back up on the far side, making a loop along the portion of the trail that follows the creek. However, you can also cross Dingmans Creek on a bridge a few meters upstream of Factory Falls in PA should you wish to hike down the other bank.

A short distance after Factory Falls, you’ll come to Fulmer Falls, without need for directions. Fulmer Falls is listed at 56 feet tall and is the largest of the Childs Park waterfalls. What’s unique about this waterfall is that the creek falls into a semi-circular basin of rock before continuing downstream. I can’t recall ever seeing a waterfall quite like this one anywhere.

Fulmer Falls at George Childs Park in Pennsylvania's Delaware Water Gap
Fulmer Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls I’ve seen in Pennsylvania.

Access to the base of this waterfall isn’t possible without jumping the fence, which isn’t allowed, unfortunately. Because of this, getting a good look at Fulmer Falls is a bit challenging. However, there is a nice vantage point at the top of the waterfall along the far bank of Dingmans Creek, which gives a cool view into the center of Fulmer Falls.

Top of Fulmer Falls, George Childs Park
Looking at the top of Fulmer Falls from the trail’s viewing platform.

Continuing downstream, the last waterfall at Childs Park is Deer Leap Falls. I’m assuming the name comes from the very narrow gorge at the top of the waterfall, which looks like a deer could jump across. Today, a bridge spans the top of this waterfall which gives a very scenic look to Deer Leap Falls and offers a chance to look down at the top of the waterfall. There is also a bridge just downstream of the falls, which is officially the bottom of the loop at the park. The pool at the bottom of Deer Leap Falls is very large and shallow. Unfortunately, during your visit to Childs Park, cliff jumping, swimming, and wading are not allowed here.

Deer Leap Falls in the Delaware Water Gap of Pennsylvania.
Deer Leap Falls is surrounded by a large pool and falls through a narrow gorge.

To continue the 3/4 of a mile hike back to the parking area, you can continue up either side of the stream, but I’d recommend going back along the opposite bank of the stream so you can see all the available vantage points of the waterfalls at Childs Park.

Overall, I would include George Childs Park among the can’t-miss waterfall hikes in the Delaware Water Gap. The well-built paths make this a trail that is relatively easy for anyone and the beauty and size of the waterfalls is quite amazing. Make sure you don’t miss these great falls on your next trip to the Pennsylvania Poconos.

How to Get to George W. Childs Park

Note: The park is currently closed with a target reopening date of early 2024. Please do not visit until the site has reopened to the public.

George W. Childs Park is located in the northern half of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, just a few miles south of Milford, in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The parking area for Childs Recreation Area can be found at the following coordinates: 41.237129, -74.919371.

George Childs Park Trail, Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania
The trail to the top of Factory Falls is wide and handicap accessible.

The entire round-trip hike from the trailhead is only 1.5 miles, leaving plenty of time to visit some of the other nearby waterfalls, like Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls.

[Click here for information on how to use coordinates to find your destination.]

Want to see more of Pennsylvania’s best waterfalls? Check out our Pennsylvania Waterfalls page!

See map for other area attractions

Great places to stay nearby


Click the map to see more nearby things to do

Map of the Poconos"

More nearby places worth exploring

Find more things to do in the Poconos

1 thought on “Pennsylvania Waterfalls: The Falls of George W. Childs Park”

  1. Thanks. My. Gg grandfather built mill in 1826. He is buried across street up the hill in Brooks cemetery. His wife Betty Holden Brooks lived to be 100.13 oldest centurion in 1890s.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Waterfalls of Pennsylvania Book by Jim Cheney

"Waterfalls of Pennsylvania" by Jim Cheney

If you love PA waterfalls, you won't want to miss this waterfall book from Jim Cheney, author of Uncovering PA, featuring more than 180 great waterfalls. Order it now on Bookshop.org or Amazon.


Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!