State Parks and National Parks

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area preserves land on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores of the middle Delaware River. The river flows through the famous "Water Gap" in the Appalachian Mountains.

The recreation area offers hiking, fishing, canoeing, boating, swimming, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

More than 100 miles of trails lead through woods to quiet streams, fields and scenic vistas. A 25-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail runs through here.

The Delaware River is known for its smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish. From April to June, shad and trout are caught here.

Dingmans Falls Visitor Center off Route 209 along Dingmans Creek is open daily from Memorial Day through late October.

Park headquarters, on River Road one mile off Route 209 in Bushkill, Penn., is open weekdays except holidays year-round.

Historic sites in the recreation area include turn-of-the-century Millbrook Village.

There are two campgrounds in the park, the Worthington State Forest Campground in New Jersey (phone 908-841-9575) and Dingmans Campground in Pennsylvania (570-828-1551).

About 25 public and private campgrounds are found within a 40-mile radius of the Delaware Water Gap.

Entry to the area is free, but user fees are charged at most boat ramps and beaches.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of National Park Service. Photo by Michelle Jacques, courtesy of National Park Service. Photo by Michelle Jacques, courtesy of the National Park Service.