Leasing of Buildings

Leasing Historic Buildings

Did you know that there are buildings at National Park Service sites all over the country that are available for leasing? Imagine operating your small business, non-profit, or even a summer getaway within a beautiful national park. Below is a basic overview of the NPS leasing program's website, as well as additional links to learn more. There are great leasing opportunities available at national park sites across the nation. Read more about the program below.

Visit our Current Leasing Opportunities page.

How does the leasing program work?

Historic buildings and the property surrounding them may be leased to private individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, or other government agencies. Leasing has consistently been a preferred use of the historic buildings and properties at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and other national park units because it provides for occupancy, upkeep and preservation as well as revenue from lease payments that are put back into maintaining the buildings. Leasing is a complex process to initiate and oversee, requiring a substantial amount of oversight by the NPS and often a substantial commitment from the lessee.

Lessees must pay fair market value for the rent, which can be substantial due to the large square footage and amenities of some of the buildings. In some lease agreements, the park can allow the lessee to offset their monthly lease payment with equivalent amounts of labor and supplies purchased for repairs or rehabilitation of the building. Any repair or rehabilitation work must be done according to nationwide standards for historic buildings.

What kinds of leasing opportunities are currently available?


There are many types of uses that would be appropriate for leased properties, including but not limited to use as residences, vacation rentals, educational or community facilities, workshops, offices, or retail stores. Check out the NPS Leasing Opportunities page for more information on current leasing availability throughout the NPS.

How long can I lease a building for?

In most circumstances, lease agreements are for ten years.

What is the process to lease a building?

The process for leasing a property from the National Park Service (NPS) can be a lengthy one. When it comes to government property, a certain amount of oversight and care is required from both the government and from the leasee. Lease holders are pledging to provide necessary repairs and protect this government property for the life of the lease, ensuring that future generations benefit from the care exercised today. For more information on the NPS leasing process, please visit the NPS Leasing website.

Leasing at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

There are no new opportunities for leasing available within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area at this time. However, new leasing opportunities are expected in 2022 and 2023 and will be announced on this webpage as they become available. Please check back here for updates.


Want to be notified when a leasing opportunity becomes available?

If you would like to be on our mailing list for future lease offerings, to inquire about leasing a specific building, or to learn more about the leasing process, please contact us by clicking on the link below:

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Leasing Office

 
 

Last updated: January 26, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 2

Bushkill, PA 18324

Phone:

570 426-2452

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