• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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  • 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 »

Beaches

There are three beaches in the park that have lifeguards in the summer where visitors can safely enjoy a refreshing swim in the Delaware River. The beaches also have picnic tables and restroom facilities. If you plan to grill, you must bring your own grill.

Beaches are open from dawn until dusk.

Visitors to the park's beaches must pay an entrance fee (in season). This fee must be paid, even when park visitor use assistants are not on duty, using the fee envelopes and our "iron ranger" fee boxes. Cost per vehicle is $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays; the cost to pedestrians and bicyclists is $1 per person.

 
A river shoreline with picnic benches

Turtle Beach in New Jersey is just upstream from Smithfiled Beach in Pennsylvania.

Milford Beach | Directions

Milford Beach is located at the north end of the park just south of Milford, PA, and offers a grassy beach complete with picnic areas, a pavilion, restrooms, a boat launch, a canoe launch, and access to the Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail. Visitors who plan to grill must bring their own.

Smithfield Beach | Directions

Smithfield Beach is located on River Road about seven miles north of the town of Delaware Water Gap, PA, and offers a grassy beach complete with picnic areas, restrooms, a boat launch, a canoe launch, and access to the Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail. Visitors who plan to grill must bring their own.

Turtle Beach | Directions

Turtle Beach offers a grassy beach complete with picnic areas and restrooms. Visitors who plan to grill must bring their own.

More information about water safety

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...