Hackers Falls parking not a problem

Finding direction signs may be another issue, By Anya Tikka DINGMAN — There are parking alternatives for Hackers Falls, according to the National Park Service. A few years ago, the NPS took over the Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course between busy routes 2001 and 209, closing the old entrance to the park and Hackers Falls due to complaints about partying and other incidents, said DeNise Cooke-Bauer of the NPS Strategic Planning & Community Outreach at the Water Gap. There’s now a closed gate, and a small sign, not easily seen from the busy route 2001, stating there are entrances to the park from Cliff Park and Raymondskill Road. Recently, Dingman Township learned of traffic problems at the old entrance due to people parking on the road near it and using the now closed trail to the falls. But there are parking alternatives. Visitors can either go through the Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course, or to the Raymondskill Falls parking lot off Raymondskill Road. “There’s plenty of parking at two places for reaching the falls,” said Cooke-Bauer. It’s a signage issue The problem is that the entrance to the park or the falls is not marked in any apparent way - it’s almost impossible to tell it’s now a National Park, and that you can use the Inn and Golf Course for access, parking, and trails. The Inn and golf course are run by concession from the National Park Service. The signs are in the process of being put up, according to Cooke-Bauer. To access the park, or Hackers Falls specifically, you can take one of the two entry roads from route 2001 marked “Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course”, a few hundred yards from each other, drive up to the Inn at the center of the park, and walk for just under one mile on the trail, first through the golf course roads and green, and then through the woods. It’s the Buchanan Trail, marked with yellow spots, and it’s fairly easy to follow. Maps of the park and trails are available in the Inn, and the entry road and parking lot are open all the time. The second way to the falls is from Raymondskill Road. Park at the lot for Raymondskill Falls, and follow the trail starting at the opposite side of the road. The information board is the only place that has the word “Hackers” leading to the park - although it says Hackers Trail, not Falls. It’s slightly over one mile, mostly uphill. “Most of the energy has gone to updating the McDade Recreational Trail within the park,” admitted Cooke-Bauer, “so the signs for entrances and other trails are lagging behind.” She said she’s requesting that more signs be put up, and repairs for existing signs.