Winter closures lifted as fee season begins at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced that sites closed for the winter will officially reopen on Tuesday, April 15, although some reopened earlier due to favorable conditions. Expanded amenity fees will also go into effect on April 15 at 2024 rates.
The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed changes to the park’s fee program, which may be implemented later in the season if approved.
Winter Closures Lifted
The following areas will officially reopen for the 2025 season:
- River access points and boat launches
- The dirt section of Old Mine Road near Van Campen Inn
- Mountain Road in Walpack, NJ, between Walpack Cemetery and Haneys Mill Bridge, will reopen to vehicles. Mountain Road remains closed beyond the bridge and from the south end at Haneys Mill due to repairs on a state-owned section. The bridge on Main Street in Walpack, between Walpack Center and Mountain Road, remains closed due to structural damage.
- Crater Lake, including Skyline Drive and the upper section of Blue Mountain Lakes Road, will reopen to vehicles
- Dingmans Falls access roads (open daily during daylight hours). Note: Dingmans Falls Road will close on May 6 for a bridge replacement project. Visit the park’s website for updates on this and other 2025 projects.
- Old Mine Road near Van Campens Glen Trail may experience delays starting mid-May due to a bridge repair over Van Campen Brook. The road will be reduced to one lane and may have intermittent closures during construction.
- Watergate Natural Area is expected to reopen Memorial Day weekend.
- Adams Creek Area, including the creek and drainage from the Sproul Road and Long Meadow Road parking areas downstream to U.S. Route 209
- White Pines McDade Trail parking area
- Raymondskill Creek drainage, from the base of the lower falls downstream to the Delaware River confluence, including the former Schanno House parking area and grounds on the west side of U.S. Route 209. This closure does not affect the McDade Recreational Trail or Raymondskill Falls Trail.
River Camping Fees and Reservations
Reservations are required for primitive river campsites along the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River and cost $16 per night. Group campgrounds also require reservations at $100 per night.
Reservations and payments must be made through Recreation.gov; they cannot be made in person or over the phone.
For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call the information desk at (570) 426-2452 or visit www.nps.gov/dewa.
