Sunfish Pond via Red Dot, Tammany Fire Road, Turquoise and Dunnfield Creek Trail

This 10.5-mile loop is one of the most rewarding — and most demanding — day hikes in New Jersey. It combines four classic trails in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to summit Mount Tammany (1,527 ft) via the iconic Red Dot Trail, traverse the Kittatinny Ridge to Sunfish Pond (a National Natural Landmark and one of the southernmost glacial lakes in the United States), and return through the lush, waterfall-laced Dunnfield Creek valley.

It's effectively the "greatest hits" loop of New Jersey hiking — bagging the state's most famous summit, its most celebrated lake, and a piece of the Appalachian Trail in a single day.

The Route

• Distance: 10.54-mile loop
• Elevation gain: ~1,434 ft
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Route type: Loop
• Surface: Rocky, steep, with creek crossings and exposed ridgeline

The loop combines four trails in sequence:

1. Red Dot Trail (Up Mt. Tammany) — the iconic 1.5-mile climb, gaining ~1,200 ft in steep, rocky switchbacks. The most challenging portion of the hike, with the payoff being the unmistakable view of the Delaware Water Gap — the river slicing between Mt. Tammany (NJ) and Mt. Minsi (PA).

2. Tammany Fire Road — a gentler descent / traverse along the ridge connecting back into the trail network. Much less technical than Red Dot.

3. Turquoise Trail — connector trail that links the Tammany area to the Sunfish Pond / AT corridor. Quiet, forested.

4. Appalachian Trail to Sunfish Pond — joins the AT briefly to access Sunfish Pond, the loop's middle landmark.

5. Dunnfield Creek Trail (Return) — a beautiful descent following Dunnfield Creek past several cascades and waterfalls, all the way back to the trailhead.

Mount Tammany (1,527 ft)

The Red Dot Trail to Mt. Tammany's summit is the most popular hike in New Jersey — and for good reason. The summit overlook delivers one of the East Coast's most photographed views: the Delaware River carving the dramatic Water Gap notch between two ridges. Expect crowds at the overlook on summer and fall weekends.

Sunfish Pond — A National Natural Landmark

Sunfish Pond is the loop's middle highlight and a landmark of New Jersey conservation history:

• National Natural Landmark (designated 1970)
• Glacial origin — formed by the retreating Wisconsin glacier roughly 21,000 years ago
• One of the southernmost glacial lakes in the United States
• 44 acres, sitting at ~1,382 ft on top of Kittatinny Mountain
• Crystal-clear water, surrounded by hemlock and hardwood forest

Conservation story: In the 1960s, a utility company proposed converting Sunfish Pond into a pumped storage reservoir for a power plant — a plan that would have destroyed the pond entirely. A grassroots campaign, led in part by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, fought the proposal and won. Today, Sunfish Pond is protected and remains one of the most pristine lakes in the eastern US.

• No swimming allowed (preserve the protected ecosystem)
• No fishing allowed
• Stay on the marked trails around the pond

Dunnfield Creek

The return down Dunnfield Creek Trail is one of the more beautiful in the region — the trail parallels the creek through dense hemlock forest, past multiple cascades and small waterfalls, with the creek tumbling over moss-covered boulders. This section is much shaded and feels noticeably cooler than the exposed ridge above.

Difficulty Notes

Don't underestimate this loop:

• 10.5 miles is a long day
• The Red Dot climb is brutally steep — 1,200 ft in 1.5 miles with rocky scrambling
• Rocky throughout — sturdy boots are essential
• Limited shade on the ridge sections
• Plan for 5–8 hours depending on pace and breaks

Wildlife & Safety

• Black bears — present in significant numbers. Make noise, store food properly.
• Timber rattlesnakes — yes, in NJ. Common on sunny rocks along Mt. Tammany and the ridge. Watch where you step and where you sit.
• Copperheads — also present in lower elevations
• Ticks — Lyme disease is endemic in the area. Wear long pants, use repellent, check yourself after the hike.

Seasonal Guide

• Spring (April–May): Wildflowers, full waterfalls along Dunnfield, mild temps — ideal
• Summer (June–August): Hot, crowded, snake season — start early. Bring extra water.
• Fall (mid-September–October): Peak foliage — outstanding color and the most popular season. Arrive at dawn for parking.
• Winter (December–March): Ice on the rocky sections of Red Dot can be dangerous. Microspikes essential after any winter weather.

What to Bring

• At least 3 liters of water — there's no reliable water on trail
• Sturdy hiking boots — rocky terrain throughout
• Trekking poles — your knees will thank you on Red Dot descents
• Layers — temperature can swing 20°F between the valley and the ridge
• Sun protection — exposed ridge sections
• Map / GPS — download Gaia or AllTrails offline; cell service is spotty
• Snacks/lunch — Sunfish Pond is the perfect picnic stop
• Tick repellent — essential

Trailhead & Parking

• Trailhead: Dunnfield Creek Natural Area parking lot, Exit 1 off I-80 in NJ (just over the bridge from PA)
• Coordinates: 40.9718, -75.1257
• Parking: Free, but the lot fills very early on weekends — arrive by 8 AM or earlier in fall
• Overflow parking: Limited; if the lot is full, you may need to come back another day
• Restrooms: Vault toilets at the trailhead
• Permits: None required for day hikes

Practical Info

• Location: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pahaquarry, NJ
• Land manager: National Park Service
• From NYC: ~1.5–2 hours via I-80 W
• From Philadelphia: ~1.5 hours via I-78 + I-80
• Dogs: Permitted on leash, but the rocky terrain and length are tough on dogs. Bring extra water for them. Sunfish Pond rules apply — dogs must stay on trail.
• Pair with: The shorter Red Dot / Blue Dot loop (about 3.5 miles) if you don't have time for the full Sunfish Pond extension

Why It's Worth the Effort

This loop bags three iconic landmarks in one day:

1. Mt. Tammany summit — NJ's most famous view
2. Sunfish Pond — a protected National Natural Landmark with a great conservation story
3. Dunnfield Creek waterfalls — beautiful, shaded, and one of the prettiest descent trails in the East

It's a legitimate "must-do" for serious NJ hikers, AT enthusiasts, and anyone within a few hours of the Delaware Water Gap.