• Winter sunrise, Kittatinny Ridge

    Delaware Water Gap

    National Recreation Area NJ,PA

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  • Season Starts!

    Childs Park opens Thursday, May 23. Dingmans Falls Visitor Center opens Saturday May 25, and will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday the rest of the summer. The road to Dingmans Falls is open but is single lane at one point and NO BUSES or RVs ARE ALLOWED More »

Boating Restrictions

 
 

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are permitted only on some stretches of the river. Review the park's alcohol policy.

 

Speed Limits from April 1 to September 30 each year
A no-wake zone is enforced from 500 upstream of the designated swimming area at Turtle Beach to 500 feet downstream of the designated swimming area at Turtle Beach.
A no-wake zone is enforced from Smithfield Boat Access to 500 feet south of the designated swimming area at Smithfield Beach.
A 10 m.p.h. speed limit is enforced on the rest of the length of the river within the park.

There is no longer a designated zone of 35 m.p.h. for waterskiing. Waterskiing and jetskiing are prohibited.

 

Lifejackets / Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's)

Each occupant on a boat must have a lifejacket (pfd) which fits, is in good shape, and is accessible in an emergency. Children who are 12 years of age and under MUST WEAR A LIFEJACKET on board a vessel.

Lifejackets / Cold Water Safety

In Pennsylvania waters (including the Delaware River) boaters must wear lifejackets on boats less than 16 ft. in length and on canoes and on kayaks, from November 1 through April 30. This regulation is intended to protect boaters from the dangers of cold water shock if they fall into the water.

 

Canoe Campsites

River & Canoe Campsite Map (pdf file)
Page 1: River Safety; Distances; Camping Regulations
Page 2: River map showing location of campsites
(The full size of this file is legal size 8.5 x 14". Adjust print settings to print on 8.5 x 11" letter-size paper.)

 
 

Did You Know?

A ranger in the uniform of the French and Indian War.

... that in the 1750s, the northwest border of New Jersey (now Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) was a frontier of the English colonies. In the French & Indian (Seven Years) War, a string of forts protected these settlements. The sites of seven of these outposts are in the park. More...