• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

There are park alerts in effect.
hide Alerts »

  • Areas closed or newly opened

    Childs Park opens May 25. Dingmans Falls, Blue Mt Lakes/Skyline and unpaved Old Mine roads are open. STILL CLOSED PA: Mt. Minsi spur trails closed due to falcon nesting; Hornbecks & Adams Trails closed; McDade Trail closed trail miles 24.5 to 27.5 More »

Animals

Black bear walking through a cornfield

Hundreds of black bear live in the park.

NPS Photo by Dan Mohr

With habitats ranging from rivers and ponds to dry ridge tops, the recreation area is home to a variety of animals, from black bears weighing up to 800 pounds to ruby-throated hummingbirds, only 3-4 inches long.

The Delaware River and its tributaries support more than 60 fish species, including species that make the park their permanent home and migratory species such as eels and American shad that travel between the upper reaches of the river and the Atlantic Ocean. Great blue and green-backed herons wade in shallows looking for fish, frogs, and crustaceans for a meal. Otters glide silently through the water. On the river's floodplain, rich soil supports bountiful farm fields.

Visitors can commonly see white-tailed deer and wild turkey searching for food. After nightfall, the park comes alive with a whole new set of animals: foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and, in the night sky, owls, and six species of bats.

 

Winter Survival
All feature pages on Animals

Did You Know?

2012_dykKAYAKER

... chief causes of water fatalities on the Delaware River are: (1) swimming without a lifejacket (PFD); (2) trying to swim across the river; and (3) swimming after drinking alcohol. Wear a pfd on and in the river. Swim at  lifeguarded beaches. NEVER TRY TO SWIM ACROSS THE RIVER! More...