Current Conditions

Many trails throughout the park have sustained significant damage. For your safety, do not use park trails until the park crews are able to mitigate hazards.

In early March, 2018, the area was impacted by a series of severe winter storms. Heavy, wet snow and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph toppled numerous trees and power lines. In mid-May, the area was impacted by another powerful storm that contained high winds, resulting in more damage to trees and power lines. Our assessment of the damage to trails and facilities from these storms is ongoing.

Most trails are open and accessible, but several remain closed due to public hazard. The following trails remain closed:

• Conashaugh View Horse Trail in PA
• Two Ponds Trail at the Pocono Environmental Education Center in PA
• George W. Childs Park Trail in PA
• Dingmans Creek Trail in PA (including Dingmans and Silverthread Falls)
• Hidden Lake Trail in PA
• Hornbecks Creek Trail in PA
• Adams Creek in PA
• Kaiser Trail in NJ

Please visit the "Hiking" page for a comphrehensive list of open and closed trails.

Assessments and repairs will continue throughout summer season. Pay attention to trail closure signage, and visit www.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS for the latest updates. Note: a Facebook account is not necessary to view posts on Facebook.

 

Alerts

Danger

• Swimming, Wading, and Jumping In and Around Waterfalls is PROHIBITED!

  Alert 1 , Severity ,danger ,, Swimming, Wading, and Jumping In and Around Waterfalls is PROHIBITED! Swimming, wading, and jumping into the waterfalls and areas above and below waterfalls is prohibited in the entire Park. Your safety is vital to us. Please don't risk your LIFE. There are costly fines for violating federal law.
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Park Closure

• Storm Damage

  Alert 1 , Severity ,closure ,, Storm Damage Due to the damage sustained during March winter storms, some trails remain closed in the park.
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Information

• Pavement Along Parts of Old Mine Road is Rough and Pitted Due to Storm Damage

  Alert 1 , Severity ,information ,, Pavement Along Parts of Old Mine Road is Rough and Pitted Due to Storm Damage The pavement along Old Mine Road between Flatbrookville and Worthington State Forest is rough and pitted due to storm damage. Drive slowly and use caution.

• Park Visitor Sites are Reaching Maximum Capacity Early in the Day

  Alert 2 , Severity ,information ,, Park Visitor Sites are Reaching Maximum Capacity Early in the Day On weekends into fall, high use visitation areas such as trails, visitor centers, and water falls reach parking capacity by 10:00 am causing up to 90-minute wait times and temporary area closures. Please plan accordingly and have alternate plan.

• New Route for River Runner Shuttle

  Alert 3 , Severity ,information ,, New Route for River Runner Shuttle The River Runner Shuttle will not stop at Kittatinny Point during the 2018 season. The Water Gap Hiker Shuttle will transport people only between Kittatinny Point and Delaware Water Gap.
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Seasonal Road Closures

• Blue Mountain Lakes Road (in New Jersey) above the Blue Mountain Lakes trailhead parking area – closed January 1 until snow has melted in the spring (usually mid-April)

• Skyline Drive (in New Jersey) – closed January 1 until snow has melted in the spring (usually mid-April)

• Access road to Dingmans Falls (in Pennsylvania) parking area – closed at first significant snowfall until snow has melted in the spring (usually mid-April) CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF 2018 DUE TO STORM DAMAGE

• Hialeah Picnic Area – closed at first significant snowfall until snow has melted in the spring (usually mid-April)
• George W. Childs Park – closed at first significant snowfall until snow has melted in the spring (usually mid-April) CLOSED FOR REMAINDER OF 2018 DUE TO STORM DAMAGE

National Weather Service

Upper Delaware River

• Conditions for Uppper Delaware

Middle Delaware River

• Montague (north end of park)

• Map of Middle and Lower Delaware Basin

• Tocks Island (south end of park)

Lower Delaware River

• Conditions for Lower Delaware Basin

USGS Current Water Data

Three gauges monitor the river and two major tributaries within the park. Ideal canoeing and kayaking conditions are generally considered at river levels under seven feet (as measured at the Montague gauge).

• Delaware River Gauge at Montague NJ
• Delaware Water Gauge at Delaware Water Gap, PA
• Flat Brook (creek) near Flatbrookville NJ
• WaterWatch in Pennsylvania
• WaterWatch in New Jersey
  

High Water Events

A High Water Event is declared when the predicted water levels may necessitate the closing of buildings, facilities, roads, and/or the river corridor itself. The park takes specific actions when the river levels are predicted to reach specific heights as indicated at the Montague gage.

• 8 feet and higher – wearing lifejacket is mandatory; no swimming is permitted at river beaches
• 13 feet and higher – Bushkill Access is closed
• 18 feet and higher – river is considered dangerous; all river access closed; no boating permitted
• 23 feet and higher – parts of US 209, Old Mine Rd, and River Rd closed due to water on roadway