Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a national recreation area along the Delaware River, which serves as the border between the American states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The park is in both states.

Understand

Much of the Delaware Water Gap is very wild country, with lots of deer and other wildlife. The roads that go through most of the park are one lane each way, through often dense foliage, and it is easy to drive around in circles if you are not careful. The Delaware is relatively narrow at this point in its course, not nearly as broad as it is downstream in Philadelphia, let alone at its mouth into the Delaware Bay between the states of Delaware and New Jersey.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

By car

Interstate 80, which goes from Metro New York all the way to San Francisco goes right through the "gap" in the river. Interstate 84 skirts the northern edge of the park near Milford, Pennsylvania. In addition, Old Mine Road (in New Jersey) and US Route 209 (in Pennsylvania) travel the length of the park, and are the area’s main routes within their respective states.

By train

New Jersey Transit is working on a project to restore passenger service on the long defunct Lackawanna Cutoff, allowing train access from New York City and Hoboken to as far as Scranton. The site of the proposed Delaware Water Gap station is one mile north of the state line in nearby Smithfield, which will give passengers access to the Pennsylvania side of the park.

Fees and permits

NPS.gov - Fees & Reservations

Get around

Cars are by far the most popular mode of transportation in the area. Motorboats are also popular for navigating the river itself.

See

• Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge. The Water Gap Bridge not only gives great views of the Water Gap, but also has impressive views of the mountains which surround it. The scenery from this bridge is absolutely gorgeous and a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

Do

Hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, rafting, and tubing are common activities.

Rock climbing

The Gap is the premier place to rock climb in New Jersey. The climbs are 150 feet (50 meters) to 300 feet (100 meters), climbing on Silurian Shawagunk Conglomerate, which is quartzite, with bands of shale from a half inch to four inches thick. Most cracks are horizontal, flaring out near the edge. Adjustable cams are probably the best for climbers to use. Most climbing is done on the New Jersey side due to easier access. Climbers can walk along the cement wall along I-80 until they pass the big wall on I-80 and then go up a path that follows the base of the big wall.

On the Pennsylvania side (Mount Minsi), park at the cold air cave pull-off on Route 611, then follow a steep and strenuous trail up the talus to the cliffs. Most routes are then to the left (south). The Pennsylvania side has been closed to climbing during the nesting season for peregrine falcons. This has resulted in overgrowth of trails and climbing routes, providing an experience closer to the natural state than is found at more popular climbing destinations.

There are about 100 climbs on the New Jersey side. This is truly multi-pitch climbing because of the height of the wall. Once at the top of the wall on the New Jersey side, one can rappel down, climb down in the big chimney, or follow the gray dot trail back to Route 80. Hanging belays also occur on the wall depending on the climbing route. Climbs on the wall range from 5.1 to 5.13 on the Yosemite scale of climbing.

The path that follows the base of the big wall on the New Jersey side is steep, with poison ivy in the spring and summer. Occasionally there is falling rock, so one must use caution. The wall also has poison ivy growing on it. The sun shines on the wall from 10am to 3pm. The sound of I-80 can be heard while climbing and is somewhat loud. This can severely affect communication between lead climber and belayer. This is one reason most lead climbers do not go too far from the belayer. The lead climber then sets up protection to belay the second.

Hiking

The famous Appalachian Trail goes through the park on the New Jersey side. The Van Campens Glen trail takes hikers along a brook to a secluded grove with a waterfall and natural spring.

Buy

The nearest big-box stores (i.e. Walmart) are in East Stroudsburg. Camping supplies can be purchased at both the Worthington and Dingmans Ferry campground offices.

Eat

Most visitors bring their own food and provisions. Several nearby towns in both states have restaurants.

Sleep

Lodging

• The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, 100 Shawnee Inn Drive, Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356 (Take I-80 to the exit for PA-611 and Delaware Water Gap. Use the roundabout to get onto River Road. Follow the road for 2.6 miles, then turn right onto Shawnee Inn Drive. Hotel is on the right.), ☏ +1 570-242-4050, toll-free: +1-800-742-9633, info@shawneeinn.com. Golf course, restaurants, craft brewery, spa, and group/wedding venues. Pocono Tram tours, river views, canoe/kayak rentals, guided hikes, and seasonal events. Cabins and glamping tents available for booking. Starting at $145/night. (updated Oct 2024)

Camping

• 1 Worthington State Forest, 2 Old Mine Road, Columbia, NJ 07832 (Take I-80 West to the exit for Millbrook and Flatbrookville. At the bottom of the ramp, bear right toward the traffic light. The office is three miles on the left.), ☏ +1 908-841-9575. Facilities and activities: interpretive programs, visitors center, trails, Dunnfield Creek Natural Area, Sunfish Pond Natural Area, Appalachian Trail, camping, fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing. Winter sports: cross-country skiing, snowmobiling trails. New Jersey Residents: $20/night; Out-of-State Residents: $25/night. (updated Oct 2024)
• Dingman's Campground, 1006 Route 209, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328 (Take I-80 to the exit for PA-611 and Delaware Water Gap. Use the roundabout to get onto River Road. Follow the road for 23 miles. The campground is on the right.), ☏ +1 570-828-1551. Camping, river trips, hiking, etc. (updated Oct 2024)

Privately-owned camping areas are present, too.

Stay safe

Most of the area is undeveloped wilderness. Take all necessary precautions regarding flora and fauna when hiking or camping. It is recommended that you bring insect repellent, as mosquitos that carry diseases like yellow fever are present. If camping in Worthington, be aware that there are bears and raccoons that won’t hesitate to steal food from campsites. Keep all food in your car with all doors closed and windows up, and never eat in your tent. There are food storage bins at the group campsites.

Crime is a rare occurrence. You are unlikely to fall victim to anything.

Go next

New York City is a 90-minute drive from the Gap via I-80.

Routes through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Stroudsburg ← East Stroudsburg ←	W  E	→ Hope → Dover
Jct N ← Stroudsburg ←	N  S	→ Easton → Doylestown