How to Access:

Nearly all of the Pennsylvania birding destinations within this park are accessed via traveling U.S. Route 209; this roadway runs the entire length of the park in a north to south direction. The northern end of US-209 is connected to Interstate 84 via US Route 6. Pennsylvania Route 739 also connects US-209 to Interstate 84 as does the combined use of Old Bushkill/Bushkill Falls Road (SR 2003) & Pennsylvania Route 402. Near the southern end of US-209 is Interstate 80. Visitors will first exit this interstate in the Marshalls Creek Area and will then watch & follow signs for US-209 North.

Safety Tips:

Visitors should plan on having little to no cell phone connection while exploring the park.

Having a hard copy of the Delaware Water Gap N.R.A. Map along with a day-pack containing plenty of water, trail food, rain gear, & insect repellent is recommended, especially for those interested in prolonged day or overnight hikes. Wearing waterproof footwear will also prove beneficial. 

Park Maps can be obtained from The Park Headquarters, Dingmans Falls Visitor Center, Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), & possibly from the Dingmans Campground & General Store. The Park Office at the Worthington State Forest Campground (New Jersey) may also have maps available.  

From October-late December, the park is utilized by small & big game hunters. Visitors to the park during this time are encouraged to wear brightly colored clothing and remain cautious while recreating on park trails. 

All boaters are encouraged to wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD); boaters are required by law to have a PFD available for use for every individual aboard your watercraft. 

Pennsylvania & New Jersey state rules & regulations apply to all visitors using this park; proper licenses/permits are required for those hunting, camping, fishing, & boating within the boundaries of the park. For additional information on licensing, visit the websites for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, or the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. 

Road Access Information: 

Visitors are advised to limit parking to designated parking areas; US-209 is an extremely busy roadway & is often dangerous to park beside. 

Please respect all park roadway speed limits; secondary roads can have sharp turns and may have people beside them. Also note that speed limits are routinely enforced by National Park Service Rangers. 

Many gravel, and some secondary, roadways within the park may become closed/gated at certain times within the year, especially during the winter season. Visitors are asked to respect any & all road closures. If gravel/dirt & secondary roadways remain accessible, use of an AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially during the winter months when roads will likely be slippery and remain un-plowed/un-treated. 

The Delaware Water Gap's claim to fame regarding bird populations are it's songbirds. Two of the park's most notable species include the Hooded & Cerulean Warbler. DEWA's populations of these two species represent some of, if not, the highest remaining concentrations of these birds left in existence within the entire State of Pennsylvania. The Gap also remains one of the best locations at which to encounter Worm-eating Warblers. Additional species of note during the breeding season include Wood Thrushes & Orchard Orioles. Peregrine Falcons have nested on the cliffs situated west of US-209 for the past several years. During spring & fall migrations, the entire Delaware River Valley can be bustling with bird activity as large numbers of species use the corridor as a super highway to & from their breeding & wintering grounds. At these times, the valley's meadows and plant covered hedgerows often contain significant numbers of New World Sparrows. Winter months in the gap are not exempt from the action and have hosted notable species including Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Northern Shrikes, & (during irruptive years) winter finch species.  

**For additional information & safety tips, clink the link above for the Del. Water Gap N.R.A. (Hotspots Overview/Group page**

Park Overview:

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA) is a 70,000+ acre National Park Unit located along the boundaries of Northwestern New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania. The park is currently confined to sections of Pike, Monroe, & Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania, and Sussex & Warren Counties, New Jersey. The Delaware Water Gap N.R.A., or "The Gap" for short, surrounds and protects 40 miles of the nearly 300-mile Delaware River, the longest un-dammed U.S. river east of the Mississippi. The park is a highly sought after destination visited by thousands, if not millions, annually. It's breathtaking views, geographic location, & extensive list of outdoor recreation opportunities are likely enjoyed by all whom come to experience "The Gap." 

Park Origins:

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has a rich & extensive history. Prior to colonial settlement, this region was a floodplain occupied by the Leni-Lenape. It was these natives whom respected the land while farming it's rich soil and hunting it's game on both sides of the Delaware River. With the arrival of early settlers came larger and more modern farms, homesteads, villages, resorts, & even a railroad. It wasn't until the mid-1900s that this land began transitioning into the park visitors know today. 

The creation of this renowned park began in August of 1955 when hurricanes Connie & Diane wreaked havoc upon the eastern United States. Excessive rainfall & flooding impacted hundreds of lives; nearly 100 Pennsylvania residents were killed from the flooding of the Brodhead Creek alone. In response, the United States Congress summoned the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers to begin developing plans to construct a dam at the southern tip of Tocks Island; the dam would ultimately create a reservoir 40 miles long and a mile wide. Through eminent domain, the government began displacing approx. 600 families & property owners from their Delaware Valley homesteads. Enraged by the harsh realities of this project, public protests began. Many knew that the peaceful river valley they had cherished for generations would transition into a forever changed landscape with a newfound influx of sightseers & recreationists. Repeated opposition, combined with the nations involvement in the Vietnam War, began slowing the project. It was at this time that people also began challenging the feasibility of the dam wondering if the land could physically support such a massive reservoir. After having no choice except to reconsider the Tocks Island Dam, the government ultimately abandoned their plans in 1975. Cooperative efforts by all involved eventually lead to this 70,000+ acre National Park Unit that, to this day, protects the interests of wildlife & outdoor enthusiasts alike. 

Recreation Opportunities Available:

-Hunting & Fishing

-Boating (limited to non-motorized & trolling motors due to fluctuations of river depth)

-Hiking & Biking

-Wildlife Viewing

-Camping & Picnicking

-Cross-Country Skiing

-Educational Programs & Community Events (hosted by the National Park Service & Non-Profit Organizations)

A variety of trails with variable difficulty exist throughout the park. One of the most popular, and often easiest to use, is the McDade Trail. This gravel and mostly flat trailway is open to hikers, joggers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers; it traverses nearly the entirely length of the park from north to south on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. The trail is 31 miles long and has several access points with public parking available.