PA Scenic Overlooks

Exploring Irving Cliff Overlook in Wayne County

Collage of four photos taken at Irving Cliff in Wayne County, PA, featuring panoramic views of Honesdale from the scenic overlook, a double-bridge crossing the Lackawaxen River in the heart of town, and an informational sign detailing the connection between Washington Irving and the historic Irving Cliff Hotel.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Irving Cliff Overlook in Wayne County, you’re in the right place!

Sweeping summer view from Irving Cliff in Wayne County, PA, looking west over the town of Honesdale, with the Lackawaxen River winding through the heart of town, framed by historic churches, downtown buildings, tree-lined streets, and rolling green hills in the distance.

Irving Cliff is a fabulous roadside scenic overlook that sits high above Honesdale, the Wayne County seat.

Wayne County historical marker in front of the courthouse.

The cliff is named in honor of author Washington Irving, who wrote the short stories “Rip Van Winkle” (1819) and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1820) among other titles.

Portrait of author Washington Irving, for whom Irving Cliff is named.

Washington Irving visited the cliff in 1841 and wrote a glowing description about the experience in a letter to his sister.

An explanation for how Irving Cliff was named after author Washington Irving.

In 1883, construction began on a summer hotel on the summit of Irving Cliff.

Historical photo of the former Irving Cliff Hotel, which stood on the site of the overlook.

Tragically, the Irving Cliff Hotel, set to open on June 22, 1889, was destroyed by a fire on May 28, 1889, with the cause never being determined.

A description of the Irving Cliff Hotel which once stood at the sight of the modern overlook.

Directions to the Irving Cliff Overlook

Irving Cliff Overlook is located at 202 Gibbons Park Road, Honesdale, PA 18431.

If you prefer to navigate via GPS coordinates, use 41.57918, -75.25162 to find the large dirt parking lot where Gibbons Park Road dead-ends at the overlook.

The parking area next to Irving Cliff in Wayne County PA.

Walk around the gate at the back edge of the parking lot, and the overlook is right there.

The gated entrance to the overlook at Irving Cliff in Wayne County PA.

A fence runs along the western edge of Irving Cliff Overlook – for your own safety, don’t go beyond it.

Bench and informational sign at Irving Cliff overlook in Wayne County, PA, offering a sweeping summer view of the town of Honesdale nestled among forested hills under a partly cloudy sky.

In 1955 Irving Cliff became part of the Gibbons Memorial Park, a gift from Frances Haag Gibbons in memory of her husband Austin Flint Gibbons and his parents Dr. and Mrs. Peter S. Gibbons.

Gibbons Memorial Park sign next to Irving Cliff in Wayne County PA.

What You’ll See at the Irving Cliff Overlook

Irving Cliff offers a beautiful 180 degree view of Honesdale, with the West Branch Lackawaxen River cutting right through the center of the scene.

Aerial view from Irving Cliff looking down into downtown Honesdale, Pennsylvania, highlighting two bridges crossing the Lackawaxen River, the historic Hotel Wayne, a church with a white steeple, and several red brick buildings surrounded by tree-lined streets and a mix of homes and businesses.

To the south you’re looking in the direction of Lake Wallenpaupack.

Expansive view from Irving Cliff in Wayne County, PA, looking south over the town of Honesdale, with tree-lined neighborhoods, historic brick buildings, church steeples, and rolling forested hills under a partly cloudy summer sky.

To the north you’re looking in the direction of Dyberry and Tanners Falls.

Each year, the Christmas season is marked by the lighting of a 50-foot star atop Irving Cliff, known as the Dick Smith Winter Wonderland Star, in honor of Honesdale native Dick Smith who wrote the song “Winter Wonderland” about his childhood memories in Honesdale.

The Christmas Star on top of Irving Cliff in Wayne County PA.

There’s a nice infographics board there that explains a bit of the history of the cliff as well.

Informational panel about Irving Cliff at the overlook in Wayne County PA.

Back near the parking area, you can follow a trail that would have originally brought people to the cliff by carriage from Honesdale below.

The Carriage Trail near Irving Cliff, which at one time would have brought carriages up to the cliff from Honesdale below.

Sights to See in Honesdale

Be sure to drive down into Honesdale to check out the beautiful Wayne County courthouse.

The Wayne County courthouse in Honesdale PA.

Directly across the street from the courthouse and park you’ll find the boyhood home of Dick Smith, mentioned earlier.

The Honesdale birthplace of Richard Smith, who composed the classic Christmas song "Winter Wonderland".

A state historical commission marker gives you a brief description of this native son of Honesdale and his contribution to the world of music.

Winter Wonderland historical marker in Honesdale PA.

You’ll find many colorful murals throughout downtown, paying tribute to the area’s equally colorful history.

A mural in downtown Honesdale depicting several things the town and Wayne County is famous for.

Nearby Attractions

The Dorflinger Factory Museum in Wayne County showcases exquisite historic glassware and the legacy of master glassmaker Christian Dorflinger.

Collage of four photos from the Dorflinger Factory Museum in Wayne County, PA, featuring the main glassware exhibit hall, the museum entrance, a display of amber and green cut glass pieces, and a presidential table setting with glassware designed for Abraham Lincoln.

The Dorflinger Glass Museum in Wayne County, housed in Christian Dorflinger’s former home, displays over 1,000 pieces of brilliant-cut glass just a mile from the Dorflinger Factory Museum.

Collage of four scenes from the Dorflinger Glass Museum in Wayne County, PA, featuring ornate glass display cases, intricate cut-glass pieces, a green cut-to-clear punch bowl set, and the exterior of the museum building.

The Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale offers an engaging journey through the county’s people, industries, and innovations with its historic artifacts, interactive exhibits, and unique collections.

Collage of four scenes from the Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, featuring a scale model of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive, a display of ornate cut glassware made in the county, a Delaware & Hudson Canal Company gravity railroad passenger car, and the exterior of the historic 1860 museum building.

Tanners Falls is a 20 foot-tall, multi tiered roadside waterfall, located on State Game Lands 159 in Wayne County.

A stunning visual narrative is told through a collage of five images showcasing Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The images depict the dynamic flow of the falls, the rugged beauty of the layered rock formations, and the rustic charm of the bridge that arches over the river. Each picture captures a different angle, highlighting the waterfall's power and the tranquility of the surrounding forested area, bare of leaves. The ruins of an old tannery add a touch of historical mystique to the natural splendor of the site, inviting viewers to contemplate the past amidst the beauty of the falls. — Scenes from Tanners Falls in Wayne County.

The Stourbridge Line sightseeing excursion departs from the historic town of Honesdale and winds through the northern Pocono Mountains on its way to Hawley and back, running alongside the beautiful Lackawaxen River for virtually the entire trip.

A collage of four photos from the Stourbridge Line sightseeing excursion in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, featuring a black and yellow Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive 9880, scenic river views along the forested Lackawaxen River, the train curving through wooded terrain, and passengers seated inside a vintage railcar with blue upholstered seats.

If scenic overlooks are your things, check out this interactive map I’ve created, featuring directions to over 160 of Pennsylvania’s finest vistas!

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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