PA Scenic Overlooks

Exploring the Cliff Trail Overlooks in Pike County

This collage showcases five photos from the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The large image on the left depicts a hiker observing the landscape from a high vantage point, looking out over the winding Delaware River and brown fields, indicative of the changing seasons. The hiker is equipped with a backpack and walking stick, emphasizing the adventurous nature of the trail. The top right image provides a scenic view of a small town nestled among hills and trees, highlighting the trail’s proximity to local communities. The middle right photo features a trail marker, denoting the Cliff Trail and directing towards Raymondskill, set against a background of a typical forest scene on the trail. The bottom left image captures another section of the trail with a rocky outcrop and a distant view of the river and fields, while the bottom right picture shows a serene lake bordered by evergreens and bare trees, reflecting the tranquility found along the trail. The collage as a whole encapsulates the variety of natural beauty along the Cliff Trail.

If you’re looking for information about the Cliff Trail Overlooks in Pike County, you’re in the right place!

This image presents a breathtaking view from the Minisink Overlook along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania. It features a stark cliff face on the left with winter-bare trees, opening up to a panoramic vista of vast fields in various stages of tillage, bordered by a distant forest. The Delaware River meanders in the background, partially framed by the leafless branches. Above, the sky is a canvas of blue streaked with wispy clouds. The composition emphasizes the rugged beauty of the landscape as it transitions from the vertical drop of the cliffs to the horizontal expanse of the valley below.

The Cliff Trail features 4 outstanding scenic overlooks of the Delaware River valley from its vantage point high atop Raymondskill Ridge in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

An expansive view from the Cliff Trail overlooking a valley in Pike County, Pennsylvania. In the center lies a serene blue river that meanders through the landscape, flanked by lush woodlands and a patchwork of fields. A small town sits closely huddled on one side of the river, its houses and buildings forming a cozy community tapestry amidst nature. The town stretches towards the forested hills that rise gently in the background, suggesting the peaceful coexistence of civilization and the wild. The scene is a showcase of the natural beauty characteristic of the Delaware River highlands.

If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike in the Poconos featuring plenty of scenic vistas, the Cliff Trail is the trail for you!

A trail marker for the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania stands prominently along the path. It's a vertical wooden post with various directional signs and symbols indicating the activities available: hiking, scenic views, and no bikes allowed. The top of the post is labeled "CLIFF TRAIL" with an emblem of Pennsylvania. Signs point towards "TO MILFORD KNOB" with arrows guiding hikers along the route. The surrounding environment is a deciduous forest with a leaf-covered ground, indicating either spring or fall, and the trees are mostly bare with a few green pines in the background.

Directions to the Cliff Trail

There are three trailheads you can choose from to jump on the Cliff Trail: Hackers Trailhead next to Raymondskill Falls at the southern end, Milford Knob Trailhead near the northern end, or the Cliff Park Trailhead near the center of the trail.

This is a map of the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The red line demarcates the Cliff Trail as it winds through the park, marked by the four overlooks: Cliff Park Trailhead Overlook, Minksink Overlook, Tri-State Overlook, and Milford Knob Overlook. The trail intersects with other hiking paths, with indicators for the Hackers Trailhead and Milford Knob Trailhead, restrooms, parking areas, and shuttle stops. The map also outlines significant roads, the Delaware River flowing along the bottom, and the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Symbols denote restrooms, parking, unpaved roads, and the trail at Cliff Park, while a compass arrow indicates north. Distance markers aid in gauging distances between points of interest. The top left corner of the map cites the National Park Service as the source.

Since I had visited Raymondskill Falls earlier in the day, and I was visiting Milford the next day, I opted to jump on the trail from the Cliff Park Trailhead, and you’ll see my hike highlighted in red on the map above.

If you’re navigating by GPS coordinates, use 41.30378, -74.83283 to find the parking area at the Cliff Park Trailhead.

A gravel parking area at the trailhead of the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, with several cars parked, indicating the popularity of the trail. A bright orange pickup truck stands out in the foreground, while the rest of the vehicles are more subdued in color. Tall pines and leafy trees surround the lot, offering a sense of seclusion and a clear starting point for adventurers seeking to explore the scenic overlooks above the Delaware River. The day is bright and sunny, casting sharp shadows on the ground and suggesting good weather for hikers.

There are restrooms at the trailhead, as well as a kiosk featuring a map of the Cliff Trail and several shorter trails nearby.

I would recommend either taking a cell phone photo of the map at the kiosk (there are no paper copies available there), or screenshot my map above.

The trailhead of Cliff Park in Pike County, Pennsylvania, featuring a small restroom with a stone base and is adorned with accessibility symbols. The signboard displays a map of the trail system, safety information, regulations, and alerts for hikers. In the background, a forest with tall pine trees and a clear sky suggests a serene natural setting for the start of the trails that lead to scenic overlooks above the Delaware River. A wooden bench sits next to the signboard, offering a place to rest or prepare for the hike.

Hiking to the Overlooks

I started out by hiking southeast along the Buchanan Trail for a half-mile, past a picturesque pond near the parking area.

A serene pond surrounded by early spring foliage in Pike County, Pennsylvania, viewed from the Cliff Trail. The clear water reflects the surrounding greenery of pine and leaf-bare deciduous trees under a partly cloudy sky. Fresh green grass lines the water's edge, interspersed with tufts of brown reeds, highlighting the transition from winter to spring. The scene is peaceful, with the stillness of the pond suggesting a quiet spot for reflection away from the bustling river overlooks.

There is a slight uphill grade to this portion of the hike, until you come to a “T” intersection (GPS coordinates 41.29728, -74.82980) where the Buchanan Trail runs into the Cliff Trail (see the map above).

A typical section of the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, shows a narrow, unpaved path strewn with fallen leaves and edged by mossy rocks. This serene pathway is flanked by a mix of deciduous trees that have not yet leafed out, interspersed with a few evergreens. The trail, covered in places by a scattering of small stones, invites hikers into the quiet woods, hinting at the natural beauty and solitude that can be found along its length leading towards the scenic overlooks above the Delaware River. The canopy overhead is open, allowing sunlight to dapple the ground, and the day is clear and bright, perfect for a woodland walk.

At this point you can either hike south along the white-blazed Cliff Trail to the southernmost overlook (the Tristate Overlook), or head north and visit the other three overlooks first, backtracking to the Tristate Overlook last.

A tall, slender trail marker stands along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, set against a mixed forest backdrop. The marker bears a white circular blaze at the top and a directional arrow pointing upward, indicating the continuation of the trail. The forest floor is scattered with dry leaves, suggesting it's either autumn or the trees have yet to fully leaf out in early spring. The trees are mostly barren with some evergreens interspersed, and the trail itself is a narrow, leaf-covered path meandering through the woods.

I opted to visit the Tristate Overlook first (a 0.3 mile hike from the T intersection), then hiked north to visit the other three overlooks.

A hiker stands on a vantage point along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, observing the Delaware River from above. With a blue cap, long hair, white tee, beige pants, and yellow hiking boots, the person is equipped with a black backpack and trekking pole. A bare-branched tree arches overhead while the river curves gracefully through brown fields and forested land, a testament to early spring or late fall. The sky is mostly clear, accentuating the natural beauty of the region's rolling hills extending into the horizon.

The Tristate Overlook

The Tristate Overlook (GPS coordinates 41.29287, -74.83248) is so named because across the Delaware River you are looking into New Jersey, to the north you are looking into New York, and immediately around and below you is Pennsylvania.

Use caution at all four overlooks, as you are standing several hundred feet above the valley floor below.

An expansive view from the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, overlooking a wide curve in the Delaware River. The river is flanked by large open fields in the middle distance and dense woodlands stretching to rolling hills on the horizon. The foreground features rocky outcrops and barren trees, with a single branch prominently reaching into the clear blue sky, hinting at the rugged terrain of the overlooks. The landscape is a patchwork of late winter and early spring colors, capturing the stark beauty of the season.

Minisink Overlook

From the Tristate Overlook I hiked north along the Cliff Trail for 0.6 miles to the Minisink Overlook (GPS coordinates 41.29820, -74.82882).

A hiker stands at the edge of a high cliff along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, admiring the expansive view. The trail is known for its scenic overlooks above the Delaware River. The hiker is wearing a white shirt, beige pants, and yellow hiking boots, with a blue cap and a black backpack. They're holding a walking stick in their right hand, gazing out towards the rolling hills and a patchwork of forest and fields stretching into the distance under a blue sky with wispy clouds. Early spring has left the trees bare, offering an unobstructed view of the landscape.

The overlook is named for Minisink Island in the center of the Delaware River below.

The view from the Cliff Trail presents a sweeping landscape of a quiet riverside bordered by barren trees that trace the curves of the waterway. The river, reflecting the sky above, serves as a natural boundary between the open, undulating fields in the foreground and the dense, sprawling woodlands beyond. The tree-lined edge of the cliff in the foreground offers a rugged contrast to the softer textures of the fields, while a lone tree stands sentinel at the precipice. This peaceful panorama is a testament to the serene and rugged beauty of Pike County's Delaware River vistas.

The word “minisink”, in turn, is derived from a Native American term meaning “at the island.”

Riverview Overlook

From Minisink Overlook, I hiked north another 0.7 miles to Riverview Overlook (GPS coordinates 41.30847, -74.81763).

A hiker with long hair, wearing a blue cap, white shirt, and yellow boots, stands looking out over a scenic vista from the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania. They have a black backpack on and are holding a walking stick. The view overlooks a diverse landscape of forest, fields, and a winding section of the Delaware River. The horizon is dotted with hills and the sky is clear with few clouds. The foliage suggests it's either late spring or early fall, and the environment is tranquil and expansive.

The name here is in reference to the views of the Delaware River below.

From a lofty perspective along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, the viewer is treated to a stunning overlook where the Delaware River carves a path through the landscape. Between the trunks of two strong, rooted trees in the foreground, the river flows in serpentine bends, bordered by open, tan fields that bear the sparse colors of early spring. The surrounding forest, still largely bare, sprawls towards the distant hills, creating a natural tapestry of browns and greens under a bright, clear sky. This scene encapsulates the rugged beauty of the region, visible from the heights of the trail's scenic overlooks.

Milford Knob Overlook

From Riverview Overlook, I hiked north another 0.8 miles to Milford Knob Overlook (GPS coordinates 41.31733, -74.80716).

From here you have an excellent view into downtown Milford, the Pike county seat.

A scenic view of Milford nestled among rolling hills and dense forests. In the foreground, evergreen trees partially frame the panorama. The heart of the town is lined with neat rows of houses, their varying architecture hinting at a rich local history. Streets meander through the urban grid, converging towards a prominent church spire that punctuates the skyline. Beyond the town, a highway stretches into the distance, bisecting the hills and hinting at the gateway to further adventures. The landscape is a tapestry of natural and manmade harmony, typical of Pike County's picturesque terrain.

To the east of downtown you can catch a glimpse of the Delaware River.

A view from the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, captures Milford spread out amidst a forested landscape. Buildings and homes in various colors and sizes are neatly arrayed in the valley, with streets intersecting at regular intervals. Beyond the town, the Delaware River curves gracefully between the hills. Trees with early spring foliage frame the foreground, and the clear blue sky overhead suggests a crisp, sunny day. This perspective, likely from Milford Knob Overlook, highlights the harmonious blend of urban settlement and natural scenery.

From the Milford Knob Overlook, I simply backtracked south along the Cliff Trail for 1.6 miles until I reached the intersection with the Buchanan Trail.

I then turned right/west and hiked the final 0.5 miles back to the parking area at the trailhead, once again passing the pond.

A peaceful pond nestled in a forest setting along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, with a small wooden dock reaching out into the water. Tall pines and leaf-bearing trees, some still bare from winter, line the shore, reflecting lightly on the water's surface. The pond is surrounded by the awakening hues of early spring, with sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a warm glow and enhancing the tranquility of the scene. The stillness of the water and the quiet beauty of the surrounding woods evoke a sense of solitude and connection with nature.

The total distance I covered on this hike was approximately 5.2 miles, with most of that being flat to slightly undulating terrain.

A wooden bench perched at the edge of a scenic overlook on the Cliffs Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The bench sits on a gravelly area, offering a resting spot for hikers to enjoy the expansive view. The vista includes rolling hills, patches of forests and open fields, all under a wide, cloud-streaked blue sky. The Delaware River is not visible in this frame, but the landscape suggests a high vantage point above a river valley. The season appears to be early spring, with trees still bare and the grass just beginning to show green hues.

It’s a great beginner to intermediate level hike, the views are outstanding, and the trails are wide and obvious.

A view from an unnamed vista along the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania, reveals a steep, wooded slope leading down to the Delaware River. The river meanders through the landscape, bordered by wide, open fields that display the earthy tones of early spring. Twisted branches of leafless trees reach into a sky filled with wispy clouds, while evergreens provide a contrast to the dormant deciduous trees. The rugged terrain, marked by rocks and underbrush, offers a glimpse into the wild beauty and dramatic topography of the area, capturing the essence of the natural vistas found along the trail.

So if you’re planning a trip to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, I highly recommend this hike to the Cliff Trail Overlooks in Pike County!

An view of downtown Milford from the Milford Knob Overlook on the Cliff Trail in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The image captures the town's quaint streets lined with a mix of residential homes and commercial buildings. A main street stretches through the center, with vehicles parked along the sides, leading the eye through the orderly grid of the town. The architecture displays a variety of colors and styles, characteristic of small-town charm. The surrounding landscape features patches of trees in the foreground, transitioning to the denser woodland that climbs the hills in the background, underlining the town's close relationship with the natural environment.

Nearby Attractions

Raymondskill Falls is located at the southern end of the Cliff Trail, and at 178 feet tall, is said to be the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.

Raymondskill Falls in Pennsylvania — Upper and middle tiers of Raymondskill Falls in Pike County,PA.

Dingmans Falls in Pike County checks in at 130 feet tall, good enough for the title of “second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania.”

Dingmans Falls in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania.

While not nearly as tall, Shohola Falls, also located in Pike County, makes for a scenic pitstop.

Shohola Falls Pike County PA — Shohola Falls, Pike County, PA.

Hackers Falls is a 20 foot-tall, fan shaped waterfall located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pike County.

A collage of four photos highlighting different aspects of Hackers Falls in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left image shows the waterfall flowing through a forested area, framed by trees. The top right image captures a close-up of the main waterfall cascading over a rocky ledge into a pool below. The bottom left image features a gravel trail with a signpost indicating the Cliff Trail and Hackers Trail, set within dense woodland. The bottom right image displays the waterfall from a wider angle, showcasing the cascading water over multiple rocky steps, surrounded by lush greenery. — Scenes from Hackers Falls.

Sawkill and Savantine Falls are a pair of picturesque but seldom-seen waterfalls in the Delaware State Forest.

Collage of four images featuring a hiker at Sawkill and Savantine Falls in the Delaware State Forest, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The images depict the hiker at various viewpoints of the cascading waterfalls. The top left and right photos show him observing the falls from different angles, with the water spilling over rocky terraces amidst a forest setting. The bottom left photo captures the hiker in front of a broad, flowing curtain of water, and the bottom right shows him from behind, looking out at a wide, multi-tiered waterfall. Each scene is framed by the rugged beauty of the forest, showcasing the tranquil and picturesque environment of these waterfalls. — Scenes from Sawkill and Savantine Falls.

Bushkill Falls, often dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” is a privately-owned Poconos nature park that features eight stunning waterfalls, accessible through a network of scenic trails and beautiful boardwalks that cater to all levels of hikers.

A collage of five images encapsulates the diverse experiences at Bushkill Falls, Pike County, Pennsylvania. The top left image displays a robust observation deck overlooking a cascading waterfall. Adjacent to it on the right, the park's entrance building welcomes visitors with a large "Welcome to Bushkill Falls" sign. Below, a wooden walkway stretches over rushing waters, leading visitors through the tranquil environment. The bottom left shows a set of wooden stairs winding through the forest, offering a rustic path for exploration. Finally, a visitor in red, centered in the bottom right, photographs one of the park’s majestic waterfalls, highlighting the picturesque beauty and recreational opportunities available in this section of the Pocono Mountains, all embraced by the park's well-crafted wooden structures. — Scenes from Bushkill Falls

Housed in a stunning 1904 neo-classical mansion in Milford, the The Columns Museum features two floors brimming with artifacts and memorabilia that chronicle the rich tapestry of Pike County’s past.

A collage of four photos taken at the Columns Museum in Pike County, PA. The top left photo shows the museum's exterior, a stately white building with large columns, and a sign indicating it is the home of the Pike County Historical Society and the Lincoln Flag. The top right photo features the display of the famous "bloody Lincoln flag," believed to have cushioned President Lincoln's head after he was shot. The bottom left photo shows a collection of military uniforms and artifacts, representing the contributions of local veterans. The bottom right photo displays a room filled with historical artifacts, including a cabinet with dishes, a grandfather clock, and a portrait of Charles Sanders Peirce along with his personal effects. This collage highlights the museum's diverse exhibits and rich historical collections. — Scenes from the Columns Museum.

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

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