News Release

News Release: Masks Required

Date: February 5, 2021

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area implements federal mask requirement for COVID-19 prevention and protection

BUSHKILL, PA – To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit national parks and National Park Service (NPS) facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, NPS is immediately implementing a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors.

At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, face masks are now required in all park buildings and facilities, including those that are operated by partners, volunteers, and concessioners, or are under lease.  Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, boardwalks, overlooks and observation platforms, pavilions, river access points, parking lots, and areas near restrooms, bulletin boards and informational panels, and in other areas of interest that attract large numbers of visitors.

The public can find information about this requirement, other public health measures, and facility closures on the Current Conditions section of the park website: Current Conditions - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).  

Signs are being placed throughout the park and the Superintendent’s Compendium of Regulations has been updated to reflect the executive order. The Compendium is available at Compendium of Park Regulations - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). Information about the NPS COVID-19 response can be found at NPS Public Health Update (U.S. National Park Service).

As conditions are subject to change, visitors should check the park’s website and social media channels for details on operations before they visit. Other tips to recreate responsibly are available on NPS.gov. Park rangers are on duty to provide information, protect visitors and park resources and uphold this requirement.

For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call [phone]; visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS. 

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.