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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Overview

Straddling the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers a relaxing retreat from the urban bustle of New York City, Philadelphia, and beyond. Enjoy taking in views from various ridgelines, splash downriver in a kayak or canoe, or fly fish for the day's catch. No matter how you choose to unwind or recreate, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers an outlet for you.

To learn more about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
Facility hours vary by season. Visit the park's website for more information on current operating hours.
  • Park Headquarters: Monday-Friday: 8 am to 4:30 pm. Open daily year round. Closed on federal holidays
  • Dingmans Falls: Hours vary by season. Open spring - autumn
  • Kittatinny Point: Hours vary by season. Open spring - autumn
  • Millbrook Village: Hours vary by season. Open spring - autumn

Visiting Tips

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are some facilities and amenities that may not be available year-round, and roads are subject to closure. Check here for more information on closures.

Fees & Passes:
There is no fee to enter the recreation area, however Expanded Amenity Fees are charged at various location between April and October. The following areas are subject to Expanded Amenity Fees:
  • Milford Beach (Pennsylvania)
  • Dingmans Access (Pennsylvania)
  • Bushkill Access (Pennsylvania)
  • Smithfield Beach (Pennsylvania)
  • Watergate Recreation Site (New Jersey)
  • Turtle Beach (New Jersey)

Expanded Amenity Fees are not covered by America the Beautiful Annual Passes. More information about fees and passes can be found here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area operates a variety of developed campgrounds available for visitors. Camping is only permitted in designated areas. Campgrounds may close during winter months, so be sure to check for availability.

  • Dingmans Campground: Rates subject to change. Open April through October. Group sites and river sites available. Reservations are recommended.
  • Mohican Outdoor Center: Rates subject to change. Open year round. Group sites are available. Reservations are recommended.
  • Worthington State Forest Campground: Rates are subject to change. Group sites are available. Reservations are recommended.

Special Use Camping:
  • Backcountry camping is limited to thru-hikers of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. These sites are also limited to those travelers committed to extended trips. Overnight campgrounds are available for all other visitors.
  • River Camping is available free of charge at a variety of locations along the water. Stays are limited to one night. See the complete list of regulations for more information.

Lodging:
The only lodging within the park is available at the Mohican Outdoor Center. Cabin style lodging with bunk space is offered along the Appalachian Trail. Click here for more information. More lodging is available outside of the park in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Food & Drink

While there are not concessionaires that operate within the park, there are a variety of dining options located outside of the park in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Guided Tours:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers a variety of ranger and volunteer-led tours and talks. These programs vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified are free and open to the public. View the events calendar for more information.

Other Activities

Located conveniently near major metropolitain areas, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is suited for a variety of activities. Many choose to explore the park on foot, but there are countless options for getting a new perspective on this scenic area. Swimming and paddle sports are a great way to take advantage of the extensive waterways located within the park. Fishing and hunting are other ways to explore portions of the park, though a valid New Jersey or Pennsylvania license is required. Even taking a drive through this park is treat. Visit the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area website for more information on all of the activities that are offered within the park.

Maps & Guidebooks

For a variety of brochures and resources to help plan your trip, click here.

Gems in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - 5

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite The summit of Mount Tammany looks out at Mt. Minsi across the Delaware River.

Mt. Tammany Overlook

(43) Strouds…, PA
gem Favorite Dingmans Falls. with permission from AcousticWalden Flickr.com/kscherer11

Dingmans Falls

(13) Birchwo…, PA
gem Favorite Raymondville Falls, The Lower Falls

Raymondskill Falls

(12) Milford, PA
gem Favorite No Photos

Grey Towers

(4) Milford, PA
gem Favorite Our nook for the day near the Tock Island Dam site.

Tocks Island Dam Site

(2) East St…, PA

Recommended Routes in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - 12

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite The Delaware Water Gap comes alive in the autumn. Interstate 80 (seen below and on the left side of the Delaware River) puts drivers right in the action.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Mt. Tammany Summit

3.4 mi 5.5 km 1,151' Up 350.73 m Up 1,182' Down 360.36 m Down

Strouds…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite You'll pass by this scenic waterfall on the way to the summit of Mt. Tam.
Difficult Difficult

Sunfish Pond via Mt. Tammany Fire Road

10.9 mi 17.5 km 1,479' Up 450.88 m Up 1,476' Down 449.94 m Down

Strouds…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Raymondville Falls, The Lower Falls
Intermediate Intermediate

Best of Cliff Park and Raymondskill Falls

7.8 mi 12.6 km 1,247' Up 380.16 m Up 1,230' Down 374.94 m Down

Milford, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite A winter view of Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake, and Hemlock Pond Loop

7.2 mi 11.6 km 1,301' Up 396.67 m Up 1,301' Down 396.54 m Down

Crandon…, NJ
Explore in 3D
Favorite The Delaware Water Gap comes alive in the autumn. Interstate 80 (seen below and on the left side of the Delaware River) puts drivers right in the action.
Difficult Difficult

Mount Tammany and Sunfish Pond Loop

11.6 mi 18.7 km 2,133' Up 649.99 m Up 2,156' Down 657.06 m Down

Strouds…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Reflections.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Two Ponds Loop

1.5 mi 2.5 km 110' Up 33.39 m Up 106' Down 32.27 m Down

Pocono…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Crater Lake: A remarkable glacial body of water that makes all seem right with the world.
Intermediate Intermediate

Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond

3.2 mi 5.1 km 392' Up 119.53 m Up 389' Down 118.56 m Down

Crandon…, NJ
Explore in 3D
Favorite One of many wonderful views along Cliff Park Trail, which overlooks the Delaware River into New Jersey.
Intermediate Intermediate

Cliff Park Loop

2.7 mi 4.4 km 340' Up 103.67 m Up 350' Down 106.69 m Down

Milford, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite lower part of the rattlesnake swamp trail
Intermediate Intermediate

Rattlesnake Swamp - AT Loop

4.8 mi 7.7 km 450' Up 137.11 m Up 452' Down 137.86 m Down

Hardwick, NJ
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lower Indian Ladder Falls
Easy Easy

Hornbecks Creek Trail

2.1 mi 3.5 km 96' Up 29.31 m Up 96' Down 29.26 m Down

Pocono…, PA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Racoon Ridge is a premier location for Birds of Prey photographers - here is a Sharp-Shinned Hawk migrating south for the winter.
Intermediate Intermediate

AT / Kaiser Trail / Coppermine Trail

6.5 mi 10.4 km 786' Up 239.52 m Up 786' Down 239.56 m Down

Hardwick, NJ
Explore in 3D
Favorite Moss & Rock & Trunk
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Orchard/Hamilton/Pioneer Loop

6.4 mi 10.3 km 682' Up 207.74 m Up 698' Down 212.9 m Down

Hardwick, NJ
Explore in 3D

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Hiking

  • 90 Miles 144 Kilometers of Trail
  • 12 Recommended Routes
  • 5 Gems Gems
  • 18 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 55 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 18 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Trails in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - 79

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

1.2 mi 2.0 km #1Red Dot Trail
Difficult Difficult
Stroudsburg, PA
Difficult Difficult
Stroudsburg, PA 12 
1.5 mi 2.4 km #2Buttermilk Falls Trail
Difficult Difficult
Crandon Lakes, NJ
Difficult Difficult
Crandon Lakes, NJ
2.0 mi 3.2 km #3Coppermine Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Hardwick, NJ
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Hardwick, NJ
0.4 mi 0.6 km #4Dingmans Creek Trail
Easy Easy
Birchwood Lakes, PA
Easy Easy
Birchwood Lakes, PA
0.8 mi 1.3 km #5George W. Childs Park Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Birchwood Lakes, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
Birchwood Lakes, PA
1.2 mi 1.9 km #6Garvey Springs Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Hardwick, NJ
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Hardwick, NJ
3.4 mi 5.5 km #7Ridgeline Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pocono Ranch Lands, PA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Pocono Ranch Lands, PA
2.9 mi 4.6 km #8Tumbling Waters Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Pocono Ranch Lands, PA
Intermediate Intermediate
Pocono Ranch Lands, PA
3.3 mi 5.3 km #9Dunnfield Creek Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Belvidere, NJ
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Belvidere, NJ 10 
1.7 mi 2.7 km #10Van Campens Glen Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Hardwick, NJ
Intermediate Intermediate
Hardwick, NJ

Photos of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - 153

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

One of the many waterfalls along Toms Creek Trail.
Dec 7, 2016 near Pocono…, PA
Morning fog rolls across the McDade Recreational Trail.
Feb 2, 2017 near Saw Creek, PA
The Delaware Water Gap comes alive in the autumn. Interstate 80 (seen below and on the left side of the Delaware River) puts drivers right in the action.
Mar 30, 2017 near Belvidere, NJ
The summit of Mount Tammany looks out at Mt. Minsi across the Delaware River.
Mar 30, 2017 near Belvidere, NJ
Raymondville Falls, The Lower Falls
Jul 17, 2019 near Milford, PA
Upper Indian Ladder Falls
Nov 9, 2019 near Pocono…, PA
Slateford Creek Waterfalls
Jan 26, 2020 near Strouds…, PA
Slateford Creek Waterfalls
Jan 26, 2020 near Strouds…, PA
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