Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National recreation area
About
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area runs along 40 miles of the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides. The National Park Service says it offers hiking, paddling, fishing and hunting all year.
On the Pennsylvania side, US 209 is the main north to south road. The park is more than 70,000 acres with over 150 miles of trails, and includes waterfall sites, river access points and swim beaches. Park headquarters is on River Road in Bushkill.
History
The park says the land holds Native American archeological sites and some structures from early Dutch settlement. In the 19th century the village of Delaware Water Gap was a focus of the early railroad resort industry. The park also says a proposal to dam the Delaware River near today's Smithfield Beach brought the region into the conservation and environmental movements of the 1960s and later.
When to go
The park is open year round. The park describes summers as hot and humid with pop-up storms, and winters as moderately cold, with snow and ice common from December through March.
Some areas close on a schedule. In Pennsylvania, areas such as Adams Creek and the Raymondskill Creek pool area are closed from May 1 to September 30 each year, and in 2026 the Mount Minsi cliffs were closed to climbing and hiking from April until late summer to protect nesting peregrine falcons. See the hours page and the conditions page before you go.
Good to know
Dingmans Falls, including its access road, visitor center and trail, was closed for bridge replacement and trail work at the park's last update in May 2026. Check the park's conditions page for the latest.
There is no entrance fee, but a few busy river and beach areas charge a per vehicle fee in summer.
Dogs are allowed on most of the park's trails if leashed, but not at Raymondskill Falls, George W. Childs Park or the Dingmans Falls area.
Price
- Park entryFree
In summer the busy beaches and river access areas at Milford, Dingmans, Bushkill and Smithfield charge $10 per vehicle per day. In 2026 that ran through October 13.
Prices checked November 2026 on the website of the National Park Service. They can change, so check before you go.
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