Drop Zones: Top Spots For Skydivers Near Philadelphia

What to Know

Make sure the company you're dealing with is indeed a skydiving company. There are many businesses advertising themselves as skydiving firms, but they are actually resellers earning commissions for directing customers to specific partners outside the city. You should deal directly with places that are group members of the United States Parachute Association (USPA), the governing agency for skydivers.

Starting from 10,000 feet up at about 120 miles per hour, you'll have less than a minute before landing. It's going to go by quick, and you'll want to relive it again and again later. Find out how much it costs to video your fall, and in what format you'll get the media for later duplication or sharing with friends via the Internet.

You must be 18-years-old or older to skydive, no exceptions. Parental or guardian permission won't release any liabilities regarding recreational sports, and hold harmless waivers are required by all skydivers. Bring your photo ID.

For tandem jumps, find out the company's weight limit. Typically, weighing in at 200 to 240 pounds or more will disqualify you for a tandem jump. Also, call ahead to discuss any medical conditions that might put your risk factors too high for a jump.

Aim to schedule your jump as early in the day as possible, in case there are weather issues or other delays. With training, orientation and paperwork, expect to get airborne at least an hour after getting started.

Since there are many reservations during the summer months, you may find yourself stuck with either an early (around 7 a.m.) or near dusk (around 7 p.m.) slot, and weekdays are more open than weekends. Call ahead for availability, and keep tabs on that day's weather forecast.

Skydive Cross Keys

300 Dahlia Ave. at Cross Keys Airport
Williamstown, NJ 08094
(20 miles south of Philadelphia)
(856) 629-7553
www.skydivecrosskeys.com

Kutztown / Keystone Skydive Center

767 Collegeville Rd. at Perkiomen Valley Airport
Collegeville, PA 19426
(30 miles northwest of Philadelphia)
(610) 442-7500 or (610) 683-5060 (weekday)
www.skydivekutztown.com

Above It All Skydiving School / Skydive Philadelphia

1100 Northridge Rd. at Pennridge Airport
Perkasie, PA 18944
(46 miles north of Philadelphia)
(610) 366-1033
www.skydivephiladelphia.com

Skydive Jersey Shore

Hwy. #34 Building #81-11 at Monmouth Executive Airport
Farmingdale, NJ 07727
(70 miles east of Philadelphia)
(732) 938-9002
www.skydivejerseyshore.com

Above the Poconos Skydivers / NEPA Ripcords Inc.

Old Milnesville Rd. and Hess Rd. at Hazleton Municipal Airport
Hazleton, PA 18202
(80 miles northwest of Philadelphia)
(570) 788-2476
www.PAskydive.com

Maytown Sport Parachute Club

188 Airport Rd. at Donegal Springs Airport
Marietta, PA 17547
(90 miles west of Philadelphia)
(717) 653-0422
www.skydivemspc.com

Sky's The Limit

7 Airstrip Rd. at Pocono Stroudsburg Airport
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(100 miles north of Philadelphia)
(800) 335-JUMP or (570) 420-1011 (weekday)
www.skysthelimit.net

Skydive Sussex

55B Loomis Ave at the Sussex Airport
Sussex, NJ 07461
(120 miles north of Philadelphia)
(973) 702-7000
jumpsussex.com

Skydive Delmarva, Inc.

32524 Aero Dr. at Laurel Airport
Laurel, DE 19956
(130 miles south of Philadelphia)
(302) 875-3540
www.skydivedelmarva.com

Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc.

3506 Airport Rd. at Franklin County Regional Airport
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(130 miles west of Philadelphia)
(717) 264-1111 or 866-JUMP-USA (weekday)
www.skydivingcenter.net

Endless Mountain Skydivers

SR 29 at Skyhaven Airport
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
(136 miles north of Philadelphia)
(800) 229-5557 or (570) 498-8784 (weekday)
www.skydiveems.com

Pennsylvania Skydiving U Corp

547 Airport Rd. at Mifflin County Airport
Reedsville, PA 17084
(170 miles west of Philadelphia)
(866) BLU-SKYS
www.skydivehappyvalley.com