Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The Delaware Water Gap is a gaping hole in the Appalachians through which the Delaware River flows. This craggy, spectacular gap on the border of northwestern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania is more than a mile wide. Yet the National Recreation Area that surrounds the gap offers much more than a break in the rock; it encompasses 40 miles of the middle Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres of land along its shores. Read More »
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Highlights
- Canoe 40 miles of the Middle Delaware National Scenic River, which cuts a languid, scenic swath through the forested Appalachian Mountains. Overnight canoe camping is permitted at primitive riverside sites—in fact, it's highly recommended! Day trips by canoe, kayak, raft, or inner tube are also ideal ways to enjoy the watery scenery.
- Fish the stocked rivers at Dingmans or Bushkill Creeks for brown or brook trout, Van Campens Brook for rainbow trout, or the small lakes and ponds around the Delaware Water Gap for rock bass, catfish, and sunfish. Single-day tourist fishing licenses are available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
- Hike the three-mile Dunnfield Creek Loop, which traces the creek as it tumbles toward the Delaware River. You'll enjoy spring ferns and wildflowers, brilliant fall foliage, and glimpses of wildlife such as river warblers, bald eagles, and groundhogs.
- Ride the five-mile McDade Trail, a multiuse hiking and biking trail that follows the Delaware River from Hialeah in the south to Turn Farm in the north. A mostly flat, gravel ride ideal for beginners and kids, several adjoining dirt roads and tracks add to the fun. Smithfield Beach, about halfway in, offers a nice place to cool off on those hot summer or spring days. The trail does double duty in winter for cross-country skiers, as conditions permit.
- On the New Jersey side of the National Recreation Area, hike along the Kittatinny Ridge to the summit of Mount Tammany, where the ridge plunges 1,200 spectacular feet down into the Delaware Water Gap. This is a moderately strenuous 3.5-mile hike with views, wildlife, and a cooling waterfall at the end.
- The wild and scenic stretch of the Delaware River flows within the bounds of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and avails a natural experience for anglers who vie for trout, walleye, and bass.
- Numerous liveries operate along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. They offer canoe, kayak, and raft rentals as well as shuttles. Consider a guided fishing trip in a drift boat.
- Go for both warm and cold water species of fish including smallmouth bass, walleye, and panfish. The famed shad run of spring begins in May. Brook and brown trout are found in most tributaries.
- Combine fly-fishing with floating down the scenic river. Take multi-day trips—with 40 miles of river within the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area, you can easily paddle and fish on Class I and II rapids. Extend your trip to explore over 150 miles of the Delaware River and have a fly-fishing extravaganza.
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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Travel Q&A
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What You Can Do in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Parks Near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Delaware National Scenic River, PA
- High Point State Park, NJ (15 mi.)
- Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania, US (17 mi.)
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