National Park Service will reopen Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area sites on April 15, start charging fees on April 18
DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced Thursday that sites that were closed for the winter will officially reopen on Friday, April 15, though some were opened earlier due to favorable conditions. Expanded amenity fees will go into effect on Monday, April 18 and will be collected until October 10.
“Whether spring fever has you itching to go fishing, eyeing up a scenic drive, or mapping out a hike, we have the cure for that and so much more,” according to park ranger Theresa Henckel who works at the park’s information desk fielding questions from visitors who are planning to visit. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in calls from people who are looking forward to getting out now that the weather is getting nicer. We are always happy to provide information, answer questions, and help people plan a fun and safe visit to the park,” she added.
Facility Openings
The following areas will officially re-open for the 2022 season on April 15:
- boat launches;
- the access roads to Dingmans Falls (open daily during daylight hours); and
- Old Mine Road from the Worthington State Forest boundary to Millbrook Village and the dirt section of Old Mine Road near Van Campen Inn.
- Mountain Road in Walpack, NJ will be open to vehicles between the Walpack Cemetery and Buttermilk Falls. The road is closed to vehicles beyond that point and from the south end at Haneys Mill due to the closure of the state-owned section of the road for repairs.
- Crater Lake, including Skyline Drive and the upper section of Blue Mountain Lakes Road, will re-open to vehicles daily until May 21 when it will be closed to vehicles Friday evenings through Monday afternoons until October 2. The road will remain closed to vehicles on federal holidays that fall on Mondays.
Other areas that will be closed on weekends from May 21 to October 2 include: Cadoo Recreation Site in NJ and Hialeah Picnic Area and Freeman Tract Road in PA. These areas will be closed on Friday evenings and will re-open on Mondays by noon; they will remain closed to vehicles on federal holidays that fall on Mondays.
As a reminder, the following area closures go into effect on May 1 and remain in effect until September 30 annually:
- Adams Creek Trail and parking areas, including the drainage, from the Sproul Road and Long Meadow Road Parking Areas downstream to US Route 209;
- White Pines McDade Trail parking area; and
- Raymondskill Creek drainage, from the base of the lower falls, including the pool area, downstream to the confluence of the Delaware River, including the Schanno House (former) parking area and grounds on the west side of US Route 209 at Raymondskill Creek. This closure does not include the McDade Recreational Trail.
Expanded Amenity Fees
Fees are charged at Smithfield Beach, Bushkill Boat Launch, Dingmans Boat Launch, Milford Beach, and Turtle Beach. Elizabeth Winslow, fee program manager, points out that “What you pay here, will stay here.” Most revenue generated from fees collected in the park stays in the park and is used to fund projects and services that have a direct visitor benefit including facility and trail maintenance, restrooms, boat and canoe launches, and picnic areas.
Daily fees are $10 per vehicle (up to 7 occupants) and $2 for additional passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Where fee attendants are not on duty, visitors should deposit the daily fee in a self-registration envelope provided at the entrance to the fee areas, put it in the designated secured drop box, and place the receipt on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Annual passes are a convenient way to access the fee areas for the entire season. The passes are $45 per vehicle. Discounts apply for multiple purchases from the same household. Visit www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/fees.htm for further information and requirements.
For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call 570-426-2452; visit their website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS and Instagram at www.Instagram.com/DelWaterGapNPS.
