Fall Foliage Hike up Mount Tammany

Welcome to another Travel Tuesday! The hike up Mount Tammany is pretty short in terms of distance, but it makes up for that with the elevation gain and (minor) rock scrambles!

You can approach this trail a number of ways–I’ve been up twice so far and took the Red Dot trail up and the Blue trail down. (This is the more challenging option–if you want an easier variation, you can go up and down the Blue trail instead!)

The amount of time it takes for the hike is highly variable, depending on how much time you dawdle up at the top. I was trying to take fall photos and discovering as usual just how difficult that can be when one does not have an instagram husband on hand, so I hung out at the top for a while longer than I meant to. I was surrounded by gorgeous views though, so I really can’t complain. :]

Fall Foliage Hike up Mount Tammany

Trailhead/Parking Address: N40 58.291 W75 07.531
Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation: 1207 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Admission: Free
Parking: Free

Near the entrance of the parking lot, you’ll see a big brown sign likely covered in a bunch of stickers that should say “Mt Tammany Trail” and “Red Dot” somewhere on it.

The more challenging trail (Red Dot trail) will be marked with a red dot on a white background.Ā It has a ~1200 foot elevation game over 1.5 miles and you’ll end up with a view overlooking the Delaware Water Gap, Mt. Minsi on the right, and Route 80.

About a half mile in, there’ll be a view of the summit over on the left, the Delaware River in the center, and Mt. Minsi (located in Pennsylvania) over to the right.

There’ll be a really rocky section after this that’s pretty easy to follow, but just make sure you’re still following the red dots (some will be on the trees on the sides and others will be painted right on the rocks!), as the rock scrambling may sometimes lead you astray.

Up at the top, you’ll be able to see a great view of the Delaware Water Gap as well as Mt. Minsi.Ā If you venture down the rocks a bit, there are some flatter areas where you can take a break, eat lunch, and take photos.

This is pretty much the end of the Red Dot trail, so if you’d like to not retrace your steps, you’ll want to start following the Blue Dot trail!

It’s a pretty straightforward path all the way down, and there’ll be two pretty mini waterfalls to your right when you pass a bridge and keep going.Ā I saw people dipping/wading in the pond the first time I went, but it was pretty chilly when I went again (late October).

There’s a hiker shuttle that goes to the Dunnfield Creek lot + Kittatinny Visitors Center on weekends + holidays from around Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. It comes every 30 minutes from 10 am – 5:30 pm from the Park and Ride in PA and costs $1/person.

It’s super crowded here on the weekends. The first time I went, we got a later start in the day and got there at almost noon-ish on a Saturday–we barely found a parking spot (we took the last one!) and definitely didn’t have the trail to ourselves but we had fun anyway!

Have you ever climbed up Mount Tammany in the Delaware Water Gap? It's the perfect place to check out the fall colors! #mounttammany #delawarewatergap #newjersey #hiking


  • Have you ever been to Mount Tammany?
  • Have you been on any fall hikes lately?
  • Do the leaves change color where you are? If so, what’s your favorite place to visit to check em’ out?

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21 comments

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  1. That looks gorgeous! My husband is always shocked by how little mileage we cover hiking. He’s used to cycling. :-) We went hiking in SC in September — just about fall.

    1. They’re both awesome options to get outside! I usually hike, especially if I’m with a friend, but I should really put my bike to more use so I can cover more mileage too! :P

  2. What a gorgeous escape from reality! Something I totally need right now!

    1. Sending hugs! I hope your back pain goes away soon! Hang in there!

  3. The leaves are finally changing colors where I live, and I love it . These are some beautiful photos!

    -Lauren
    ShootingStarsMag recently posted…I Am a Wonder WomanMy Profile

    1. Thanks! I love all the different colors this time of year! <3!

  4. Ahh i love this time of year. Perfect for hikes! Looks like you had a lovely day

    1. Agreed! I wish the weather were more agreeable on the weekends so I could do more of em’! :P

  5. So pretty! Love that view of the Deleware River. I was on a canoeing racing team in high school and we did a river trip on that river. You’d love all the hiking in Asheville. Come visit again!
    Rosey Rebecca recently posted…Listen Up: Huge List of PodcastsMy Profile

    1. That’s so cool! :O!

      I bet I would! I didn’t get a chance to do too much of it the last couple times I went to visit. I really hope I can go back to visit–it’d be cool to meet up for lunch and/or ice cream again! :]!

  6. it looks absolutely gorgeous! love hiking so much! If I ever make it up to Mt Tammany, I’m totally going to hike it

    1. Yay! I hope you get to hike it sometime! :]!

  7. Weā€™re I live in CT itā€™s absolutely gorgeous this time of year and there are countless places to hike! There arenā€™t many high hills to catch views like this trail but we are known for our fall foliage!

    1. I need to go up there sometime!! <3!!

  8. Beautiful hike! I’d totally come along as your Instagram husband if I lived closer!!

    1. Aww, thank you! It’d be cool to go on adventures with you! :D!!

  9. Oh wow, this is such a magnificent place! What a beautiful location to go for a hike!! It looks so peaceful <3

    1. It definitely was! :]!!

  10. Great article Farrah, and amazing photos of the Delaware river – sort of takes me right back there,
    Thanks!
    kevin recently posted…How To Connect Rain BarrelsMy Profile

    1. Thanks so much! :]!

  11. Your very welcome Farrah – Keep up the great work (blog)!

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