News Release

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Is Modifying Operations to Implement Local Health Guidance

Date: March 27, 2020
Contact: Kathleen Sandt, [phone]

In response to Executive Orders 107 and 108 issued by New Jersey’s Governor Murphy and guidance from the CDC and local, county, and state public health officials,  Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

Public restrooms, volunteer and partner-operated buildings and the visitor information desk at Bushkill Meeting Center were closed on March 17.  While most of park’s outdoor spaces remain accessible to the public, the Kittatinny Point area in New Jersey, including the parking lots and the picnic area, will be closed until further notice as of 8 am on Friday, March 27.  Additionally, Worthington State Forest and the New Jersey Department of Transportation will close the state-owned parking areas on the westbound side of Interstate 80, including the Dunfield Parking Area.  For more information on New Jersey’s state parks visit their website at https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and will provide updates on our website and social media channels.  

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.  

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Updates on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area can be found on our website at www.nps.gov/dewa and on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.