• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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  • SAFETY ADVISORY

    UNTIL DELAWARE RIVER LEVELS DROP, SWIMMING PROHIBITED AND LIFE JACKETS (PFDs) MANDATORY WHILE ON BOARD ANY VESSEL (ON WATERS OF DELAWARE RIVER WITHIN DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA). More »

Plants

large pinkish-white flower
Rhododendron in Dingmans Ravine

As one travels from the river up the side of the mountain, one encounters everything from aquatic habitats to dry cactus barrens. The variety of soil types, differences in sun and shade, and variations in moisture create hundreds of microhabitats and allow Delaware Water Gap to support diverse communities of plants. While visitors to the Poconos expect to see cool, dark hemlock ravines, as well as hardwood forests, many are surprised to learn that Delaware Water Gap is also home to cactus barrens, sparsely populated with prickly pear cacti. An ambitious explorer can find a great variety of wildflowers in the park, as well as trees, ferns and innumerable other herbaceous plant species.

 

Did You Know?

A small steamboat passing a beach with rowboats

... that a century before this recreation area was formed, the Delaware Water Gap was touted as a Wonder of the World, and drew vacationers via rail lines from Philadelphia and New York City. There were trails to stroll, verandas for viewing the gap, and a steamboat for moonlight cruises. More...