A bride-to-be holds roses as she enters the Millbrook Methodist Episcopal Church. Millbrook Village is a great place to hold your intimate wedding. Call for details.
NPS Photo
Permits
Special Use, Commercial Photography, Vehicle, and Watercraft permit information
Within the park, certain types of activities may require a special permit. These activities can include many types of organized gatherings, distribution of printed materials (and other first amendment activities, or public expressions of opinion), commercial vehicle and watercraft activities, and other types of activities that are controlled, or possibly prohibited without proper permits. We encourage the public to take advantage of these opportunities, but in a safe manner.
Permitting allows the park to meet the needs of the public in an organized fashion, allowing for everyone to benefit from these wonderful freedoms available to us in the safest way possible.
Please don't hesitate to call ahead with any questions regarding permits to our special use permit coordinator at: 570-426-2440.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to working with you, or your organization in the future.
Some common activities that require a permit include:
Commercial Photography
Weddings
Baptisms
First Amendment Activities
Competitive Event
Commercial Filming
Please contact us at (570) 426 - 2440 or Deb_Zirwas@nps.gov for current guidance.
A permit may be required to:
maintain public health and safety;
protect environmental or scenic values;
protect natural or cultural resources;
allow for equitable allocation or use of facilities; or
avoid conflict among visitor use activities.
Some requests that may require permits:
Entering a sensitive resource area
Filming in areas that require tickets to enter
Filming in visitor centers, campgrounds, or other visitor areas.
Filming in Wilderness Areas
The National Park Service manages and protects more than 44 million acres of Congressionally designated wilderness areas under the Wilderness Act of 1964. These areas have additional laws and policies to preserve their wilderness character for future generations.
Filming activities in wilderness areas must follow all applicable laws and regulations that govern wilderness areas in the park, including prohibitions on structures, installations, motor vehicles, mechanical transport, motorized equipment, motorboats, or landing aircraft.
Special use Permits for filming are required for all filming activities in wilderness areas, except casual filming by visitors, no matter the group size or equipment used.
Are people filming still required to pay fees to film in parks?
As of January 22, 2021, and under the interim guidance the National Park Service is not collecting application or location fees, or cost recovery for filming activities.
Still Photography
Still photographers require a permit only when:
The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
The activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
A park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
How do I apply for a permit?
Permit applications are available through each park's administrative office or website. Contact information for parks can be found on their websites; visit the Find a Park site to locate the park where you would like to photograph. You should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner.
What fees will I have to pay?
The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for still photography permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.
In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following still photography fee schedule:
1–10 people - $50/day
11–30 people - $150/day
Over 30 people - $250/day
Are there other permit requirements?
You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.
What about photography workshops?
If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.
All commercial vehicles may travel on U.S. Route 209 between the following points without a permit:
Milford to the Delaware River Bridge leading to U.S. Route 206 in New Jersey
Mile 0 of U.S. Route 209 in Bushkill to Bushkill Falls Road
Legislation allowing limited use of US Route 209 through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by some commercial vehicles was signed into law by President Biden as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, on December 29, 2022. The legislation allows the utilization of US 209 between US 206 in Milford and Bushkill Falls Road in Bushkill for permitted commercial vehicles with four or fewer axles. Commercial vehicles that are eligible for a permit must be:
Owned and operated by a business located in the recreation area or one or more adjacent municipalities, or
Necessary to provide services to businesses or persons located in the recreation area or one or more of the adjacent municipalities.
The adjacent municipalities are defined by law as: Delaware Township, Dingman Township, Lehman Township, Matamoras Borough, Middle Smithfield Township, Milford Borough, Milford Township, Smithfield Township and Westfall Township in Pennsylvania.
The following vehicles may use Highway 209 without a fee or permit requirement:
Local school buses
Fire, ambulance, and other safety and emergency vehicles.
Permits are valid until September 30, 2023. Permits are valid for one fiscal year, beginning October 1st and ending September 30th. All revenue received from permits is used for the administration and enforcement of the program.
For more information, see Section 615, pages 2931-2932 of H.R. 2617.
Commercial vehicle permit applications can be mailed along with proof of insurance and a check or money order of $200 (per vehicle) to:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Attn: Commercial Vehicle Permit
PO Box 2
Bushkill, PA 18324
Commercial Vehicle permit applications can also be e-mailed to the fee program manager, Elizabeth_winslow@nps.gov, if you wish to pay by credit card.
Rivers Bend Group Campground is the place for your group of 15 per campsite to get away from it all in a clean and safe environment. With restrooms, a large open space for games, and free firewood, this is the place for your group to make forever memories.
NPS Photo / Michael Cuff
Reservations - Pennsylvania
Milford Beach Group Picnic Area
Nine picnic tables in open area with some trees
For reservations and more information call (570) 426-2440
Dingmans Campground
133 wooded and river's edge campsites; some electric and water hookups
5 Primative group sites for 15 campers each with fire pits, picnic tables, and metal food storage cabinets to keep your food safe. Fire wood is also proided at this location. No foraging necessary.
Reservations are available right now through Recreation.gov
Telephone within continental U.S. 877-444-6777, International callers: 606-515-6777, TDD callers: 877-833-6777
Telephone reservation system is available from 10:00 am to 12:00am Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Mohican Outdoor Center
Large/small group cabins and individual/group campsites in a wooded setting
