If you are looking for a fun hike near Philadelphia or New York City, you’ll love the Mount Tammany Red Dot trail!
The Mount Tammany hike offers fantastic views of the Delaware Water Gap and Mt. Minsi, fun rock scrambles, and small waterfalls (if you hike the loop to the Pahaquarry Blue trail).
This challenging hike is located in the Worthington State Forest in New Jersey but straddles the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Although some may find the trail difficult, we made the Mount Tammany Red Dot trail with our two kids, ages 9 and 12, at the time.
If you’re thinking about hiking the Mount Tammany Red Dot trail (and maybe even doing the full loop), the guide below will help you plan and be prepared. So, let’s dive in!
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Where is Mt. Tammany?
Mt. Tammany is located in New Jersey in Knowlton Township, about 1.5 hours from both Philadelphia and New York City.
The Mt. Tammany Red Dot trail straddles the Worthington State Forest and Delaware Water Gap parks. The trail is easily accessed off of I-80 West in New Jersey before it crosses over to Pennsylvania.
Things to Know Before You Take the Mt. Tammany Hike
Parking
You can use two parking lots to access the Mt. Tammany Red Dot Trail. Both are close to each other.
The first lot is at the Red Dot trailhead. It is immediately off I-80 at the 1-mile marker going west.
The lot holds a significant amount of cars but will still get full quickly on the weekends. Arrive early in the morning to secure a spot and avoid crowds on the trail.
The second lot is a few hundred yards past the Red Dot trail parking lot. It is labeled as Appalachian Trail parking on Google Maps.
Try this one if you can’t find parking at the Red Dot lot. A signed trail connects the two parking lots, so you do not have to walk on the road.
Bathrooms
There are no bathrooms at the Mt. Tammany Red Dot trailhead parking. The Appalachian trailhead parking lot had a few port-a-potties available.
If you want to use a bathroom with running water before the hike, we recommend stopping at the TA Travel Center on Simpson Road off of I-80 ( the Hainesburug Rd exit at mile marker 3.4). It’s about a 6-minute drive from the Red Dot trailhead.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on the Mt. Tammany Red Dot trail as long as they are leashed.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Places like Worthington State Forest and the Delaware Water Gap are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all.
Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels), and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come.
Hiking the Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail
| Trail Location: | Dunnfield Creek Appalachian Trail exit on I-80 West, in Knowlton Township, NJ |
| Trail Length: | 2 miles out-and-back (can be a 3-mile loop if return via Blue Trail) |
| Trail Difficulty: | Moderate to Hard – the trail is steep with some rock scrambling. Hiking poles are recommended. |
| Trail Type: | Out and back or Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 1200 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Mt Tammany Red Dot Trailhead
The Red Dot Trailhead is at the west end of the Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail parking lot.
If you are coming from the Appalachian Trail lot, you’ll want to take the worn-down trail close to the entrance of the lot.
Trail Length
The Red Dot trail is just over 1 mile to the summit, about 2 miles out and back. Keep in mind, the elevation gain over that 1 mile is just about 1200 feet, making it very steep!
You can lengthen your hike to about 3 miles by incorporating the Pahaquarry Trail (blue blazes) into your hike. If you choose to do this, it is recommended to hike up via the Red Dot trail and back down the Pahaquarry.
You can also shorten your hike to about 1 mile by stopping at the first scenic viewpoint and then heading back down the Red Dot trail. It all depends on what you are looking for!
Trail Difficulty
The Mt. Tammany Red Dot trail is rated as difficult, and rightfully so. It is a very rocky and steep trail for most of the 1-mile trek to the summit. There are sections of rock scrambles that require 3-4 points of contact.
The occasional hiker might be able to complete this trail but will require several rest breaks. Young children also might have difficulty, depending on their hiking experience. Hiking poles are recommended.
If the steep grade is concerning, hikers can access the summit via the Pahaquarry Trail (blue blazes). Start at the Appalachian trailhead about .5 miles, and then follow the blue blazes to your right. The Appalachian to Pahaquarry trail is about 2 miles to the summit but less steep than the Red Dot trail.
Views
There are two scenic views along the Mt. Tammany Red Dot trail, giving you gorgeous views of the Delaware River and Mt. Minsi across the river.
The first lookout is about .5 miles from the trailhead. The small clearing allows hikers to take in the views south, showcasing the Delaware Water Gap with New Jersey and Pennsylvania on each side. If you stop at this lookout and then return back to the bottom of the trail, your total hike will be about 1 mile.
The main lookout at the summit is about 1 mile from the trailhead, with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. This lookout gives direct views of Mt. Minsi across the Delaware River. For the best view, hikers will have to scramble down some rocks.
Good to know: There is a false summit at Mt. Tammany. A few hundred feet before the main veiw you will encounter a large opening with some views through the trees. This is not the summit! Keep going and you will find the above view.
How Long is the Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail?
The Mt. Tammany Red Dot trail can be completed in about 2-2.5 hours. Stopping for views, rest breaks, and lunch, we completed the Red Dot to Blue Blaze loop (about 3 miles total) in just over 3 hours.
The hike can be shortened by turning back down the Red Dot trail at the first overlook.
Red Dot to Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze) Loop
Instead of hiking back down the steep Red Dot trail, hikers can take the Pahaquarry (Blue Blaze) trail back down the mountain. This lengthens the hike from 2 to 3 miles.
The Pahaquarry trail starts at the summit, connecting to the Red Dot trail. About .3 miles along the route, the Pahaquarry trail takes a hard left.
If you continue straight, you’ll be on the fire road, which eventually will connect to the Buckwood trail, another Worthington State Park trail.
After turning left to continue on the Pahaquarry trail, there is a steep descent for most of the trail (about 1 mile).
The trail is less steep than the Red Dot trail, making it easier to descend from the summit. The Pahaquarry trail turns left when it meets the Dunnfield Creek trail and continues on until it merges with the Appalachian Trail.
Dunnfield Creek is a small but beautiful waterway that features several small waterfalls and pools along the trail. Many hikers were cooling off their feet in the creek before finishing their hike.
The trail ends at the second parking lot. There is a trail connecting the second lot to the first one, so hikers do not have to walk on the road.
Other Hikes Near the Mt. Tammany Red Dot Trail
There are multiple hikes in the Worthington State Forest. You can access some of them from the Red Dot/Appalachian Trails parking lots.
Worthington State Forest Hikes
- The Dunnfield Creek Trail: The Dunnfield Creek trail starts where the Pahaquarry trail (blue blazes) bears right up to the Mt. Tammany summit. The trail is 3.4 miles long but starts about .6 miles from the parking lot, making the total length 4 miles one way. It connects to the Appalachian trail at the end, making it a nice loop back to the parking lot.
- Holly Springs Trail: The Holly Springs trail connects the Appalachian and Dunnfield Creek trails, making a shorter loop. The loop is about 4 miles in total.
- Sunfish Pond Loop: If you park at the Douglas Lot on Old Mine Road, you can hike a challenging but beautiful 4-mile loop to Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake at the top of the mountain.
You can find more info about the Worthington State Forest trails here and a map of the park here.
Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls is about 30 minutes from the Mt. Tammany Red Dot trailhead. Although it is a pay-to-enter park, the trails are well-maintained, making it a nice place to hike.
The trails vary from easy to moderate. Most of the trails are boardwalks. However, the longest has some rocky and steep terrain.
Waterfall Hikes at Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania
Across the Delaware River are some popular waterfall hikes, including Raymondskill Falls and Dingman Falls, both of which are short and relatively easy. A longer hike to Hackers Falls is always worth doing.
Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail Wrap-Up
The Mount Tammany Red Dot trail is popular for a good reason! It’s a fun, challenging trail that leads to amazing views of the Delaware Water Gap. This New Jersey hike should be on everyone’s bucket list!
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