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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Bushkill, PA

This park preserves 40 miles of the middle Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres of land along the river's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. At the south end of the park, the river cuts eastward through a scenic water gap in the Appalachian Mountains. Canoeing, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking; viewing wildlife, geologic features and natural scenery - all this and more await our visitors. The park includes historic Millbrook Village and several environmental education centers.

The recreation area was originally envisioned as lands surrounding the proposed Tocks Island Reservoir. Early planning, management and land acquisitions were accomplished amid much controversy over the dam project. In 1978, Congress designated the section of the Delaware River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In 1992 the Tocks Island Dam project was officially de-authorized.

CONTACTS

Email - dewa_interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 570-588-2780

Write to
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
1 River Road
Bushkill, PA 18324

Phone
Headquarters - 570-588-2435
Visitor Information - 570-588-2451
Headquarters(TDD) - 1-800-654-5984

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Most roadways and the Delaware River are open 24 hours a day, year-round, unless closed due to heavy snowfall, ice or other hazardous conditions. River accesses and most facilities open dawn to dusk, 365 days of the year. Some facilities are closed in winter.

Also see the Facilities link.

Getting There
PLANE - Each of the following three airports are approximately 1 1/2 hours away from our Headquaters Building (located in Bushkill, PA).

Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown, PA: 1-888-FLY-LVIA, 610-266-6000

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA: 570-457-3445

Newark International Airport, Newark, NJ: 973-961-6000

CAR - We are located on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (and very close to the New York border).

Approximate distance from several major cities:

Philadelphia, PA - 90 miles

New York City, NY - 70 miles

Newark, NJ - 64 miles

Scranton, PA - 53 miles

From northern Pennsylvania and New England, connect to Interstate 84, then to Route 209 South (Exit 10) through Milford or (Exit 11) Matamoras to enter the north end of the park. Pick up a map or brochure at the Matamoras, PA I-84 Welcome Center.

From southern Pennsylvania and points west, connect to Interstate 80 East; past Stroudsburg take 209 North (Exit 52) to the middle of the park at Bushkill - Visit Bushkill Visitor Center for information and brochures - or cross the I-80 bridge to first exit in New Jersey. Visit Kittatinny Point Visitor Center for information and brochures.

From New York City and New Jersey, connect to Interstate 80 West to the Delaware Water Gap at the south end of the park. Pick up a map and brochure at Kittatinny Point Visitor Center. Routes NJ 15 N and 206 W lead to the north end of the park and Milford, PA.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Bus, Airplane, Train, Car Rental and Taxi Services are available near the recreation area:

Bus service between New York City and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA stops at Stroudsburg, PA - 4 miles from the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center and 3 miles from the Appalachian Trail at the Gap.

Martz Bus Lines: 570-421-3040 Greyhound Bus Service: 1-800-231-2222

Limited seasonal bus service from New York City area to Milford and Matamoras, PA. Regular daily service is provided to Port Jervis, NY.

Shortline Bus Service: 1-800-631-8405

Limited daily passenger train service is available from Hoboken, NJ, to Port Jervis, NY. PATH (subway) connection is available from New York City to Hoboken.

MTA Metro-North Railroad: 1-800-638-7646

Limited auto rental and taxi service may be available in Stroudsburg, Milford and Matamoras, PA, and Port Jervis, NY.

Weather & Climate
Summer air temperatures average 75 - 85 degrees F (some days in the 90s) with lows to the 50s. Moderately high humidity. Occasional thunderstorms and dense fog. Water temperatures in summer (May to September) rise from the mid-50s to highs in the mid-70s in July.

Spring and fall climate is variable. Temperature can drop rapidly after sunset on warm days. Wetsuits may be required for river use.

Winter air temperatures (December to March) are frequently below freezing, with numerous snow and ice storms in some years. Water temperatures drop from the 50s to the 30s by December, with most of the river usually freezing over each winter.

Clothing: Always dress in layers. Be prepared for rain and cold weather at any time. Hypothermia is possible, especially on the river, even during the summer. Pack properly for your river trip. Appropriate, well-fitted shoes are essential for hiking or climbing.

Accessibility
Accessible parking, buildings, and restrooms at visitor centers and at Headquarters.

Accessible picnic sites at Kittatinny, Depew, and Watergate in New Jersey, and at Milford Beach, Childs Park, Toms Creek, and Smithfield Beach in Pennsylvania.

Brochure on accessibility in the park is available at visitor centers and at Headquarters.

Getting Around
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is located in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey along approximately 40 miles of the Delaware River. This area falls within five counties, three in Pennsylvania (Northampton, Monroe, and Pike) and two in New Jersey (Warren and Sussex). Since the area is so large we would recommend that you start your visit at one of our visitors centers (see the Facilities link).

No public transportation is available within the recreation area.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
RECREATION FEES FOR SOME AREAS
$Varies for One Time
Some park areas have a user fee. These fees are used to defray certain park operating costs (resource management, infrastructure repair, and maintenance projects, etc).

Permits
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FEE
$Varies for Day
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (any vehicle used for business purposes): Commercial vehicle operators planning on using Route 209 (from Bushkill, PA to Milford, PA) should call the Fee Collection Program Manager at 570-588-2434 for fee schedule and rates prior to entering the park. Commericial use of Route 209 is limited and restricted.

CAMPING

Appalachian Trail Camping
Open All Year
Within the recreation area, camping is permitted along the Appalachian Trail only for hikers on extended trips. An extended hiking trip is planned for two or more days, with camping occurring more then 1/2 mile from the departure point. Camping is limited to within 100 feet of the trail. Campfires are prohibited; a self-contained stove may be used for cooking. For a map of the trail and brochure explaining the special regulations please call the below number.
For More Information on this campground please call 570-588-2451

Dingmans Campground
This private campground operates under a permit from the National Park Service, and is located along Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry, PA (just south of the intersection of Route 739 and Route 209).
For More Information on this campground please call 570-828-2266

Group Camping
Open All Year
Two group camping areas (Hidden Lake by Bushkill, PA and Rivers Bend by Millbrook, NJ) are available to non-profit groups only (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church Groups, etc.). A permit is required. For additional information and permits please call the below number.
For More Information on this campground please call 570-588-2440

River Camping
Open All Year
Primitive camping areas are designated along the river for boaters travelling from one access point to another or when the distance is to great to be covered in one day. Campsites are limited to a one-night stay, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. No permits are required and no fee is charged. Other regulations apply. For a river map that lists campsites and regulations, call the below number.
For More Information on this campground please call 570-588-2451

FACILITIES

HEADQUARTERS
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone - 570-588-2435
Location - Bushkill, PA - Located on the north side of River Road approximately 1 mile east of the Route 209 intersection (at Fernwood Resort) or approximately 9.5 miles north of I-80.
Closures - Closed on federal holidays. Closed every Saturday and Sunday. Closed occassionally due to extreme weather or hazardous road conditions.
Available Facilities - Park Headquarters: Administrative Building. Also provides visitor information, parking and restrooms.

Visitor Centers
BUSHKILL VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
Closed for Winter
Phone - 570-588-7044
Location - Bushkill, PA - Route 209 near Mile Marker 1 on the east side of the road. Approximately 1/4 mile south of Bushkill Falls Road.
Special Programs - The Wonder of Waterfalls - a short hike to learn about the geology of the Dingmans Falls trail; The Un-dam that Saved the Delaware - the story of the park's creation; Bats, bats, bats - learn all about bats in the park; The Bear Facts - a program about what makes Delaware Water Gap such a good place for bears to live; Beaver Tales - learn why beavers build dams, what they do to survive, and where you might see one; Campfire - meet a ranger at the Dingmans Campground to relax around a campfire and learn about the park
Exhibits - Flower Display - display of what is currently blooming in the park. Mammals - Interesting facts about most commonly seen park mammals.
Available Facilities - Information, audio-visual program, displays, sales outlet for park-related items, restrooms. Jr. Ranger, Jr. Naturalist, and Jr. Time Traveler booklets available. The center is fully accessible.

DINGMANS FALLS VISITOR CENTER
Location - Dingmans Ferry, PA - 1/4 mile up Johnny Bee Road on the north side. Johnny Bee Road is located off Route 209 (mile marker 13.5) 25 miles north of I-80 or 1/4 mile south of Rt 739.
Closures - Visitor Center currently closed. However, grounds and trails are open during daylight.
Special Programs - Programs and guided walks are offered on the Dingmans Falls trail. For a schedule and program details, call the Bushkill Visitor Center at 570-588-7044.
Available Facilities - Parking, Information Sign and Restrooms. The Dingmans Falls trail is a fully accessible boardwalked trail.

KITTATINNY POINT VISITOR CENTER
Phone - 908-496-4458
Location - Columbia, NJ, directly off of I-80. Turn at either the last exit before crossing the I-80 bridge into Pennsylvania (left at end of exit, go back under the Interstate and the center will be on your right) or take the first I-80 exit after crossing the bridge into New Jersey (take a left at end of exit and the center will be on your right).
Special Programs - At Kittatinny Point there are daily ranger-led programs at 10 AM and 2 PM. Programs give visitors a general introduction to the recreation area and discuss a variety of topics including the history of the area, plants and wildlife and geology. Starting in June, rangers from Kittatinny Point lead campfire programs at Worthington State Forest campground on Saturday evenings. There are two introductory park videos available. "Chopper Chip" is designed to orient school age visitors to Delaware Water Gap NRA, the other video is designed for all ages.
Exhibits - There are two permanent exhibits at Kittatinny Point. One exhibit features a collection of fossils, the other highlights the Appalachian Trail. Look for rotating exhibits that change throughout the summer and cover topics related to the summer season and safety.
Available Facilities - General park information, restrooms, parking lot, boat & canoe launch and picnic area. Jr. Ranger, Jr. Naturalist, and Jr. Time Traveler booklets available. The building is fully accessible.

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