Delaware Water Gap

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area/Pennsylvania and New Jersey National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior jiigr ^^^^2sfl£fl Have you ever pondered the power of water? Delaware Water Gap is one of the best places to see this force at work. Millions of years ago this was a level plain; erosion and gradual uplift of the land formed the ridges and valleys we see today. In this respect the process is not unusual. What is distinctive about this gap is the beauty of the landscape. Here the river twists in a tight "S" curve through Kittatinny Ridge. The result is breathtaking, so much so that this area became a resort in the 19th century. Large hotels sprang up and catered to a clientele of businessmen and their families. People remarked on the healthy quality of the air and coolness of the breezes while cities simmered in the summer heat. Today most of the large hotels are gone and people usually come here for a day or two rather than a month or more. But the air is just as invigorating and the views as spectacular as they ever were. And the National Park Service is here to help make your time in the park as enjoyable as possible. In the Park The best place to begin your visit is at one of the visitor centers. They are located at Kittatinny Point in New Jersey just off I-80 and at Dingmans Falls off U.S. 209 in Pennsylvania. Here members of the park staff can answer your questions and give you schedules of current activities and programs. Both visitor centers are open daily May through October, while Kittatinny remains open on weekends during the winter. Sightseeing One of the most popular activities is sightseeing. More than 200 miles of roads wind through the scenic valleys, over the ridges, and past historic buildings. Along the way you may see some of the area's wildlife, see one of numerous waterfalls, stop to picnic, or just take a short walk along some of the trails or old roads. The roads are also excellent for bicycling, and some are available for horseback riding. For 25 miles of its length the Appalachian Trail traverses the park. Around the first of July, the rhododendron bloom making this an especially nice time for a visit. All recreation sites within the park are for day-use only. Camping Camping is permitted at the concessioner-operated Dingmans Campground, for through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail, and for boaters traveling between river access points. Swimming Many activities in the park center on the Delaware River, one of the cleanest and most scenic rivers in the East. The water can be enjoyed whether you are just a wader or an accomplished swimmer. Swimming is recommended at Milford and Smithfield beaches, where lifeguards are on duty mid-June through Labor Day. Bathhouses, picnic areas, and parking are available at both locations. You also may swim at Hidden Lake Recreation Site, a beautiful small lake surrounded by trees and nestled in a fold of the mountains. Boating The 37 miles of the Delaware attract many who enjoy canoeing, tubing, and rafting. River access points located every 8 to 10 miles allow for easy day trips. Boating information, regulations, and detailed river maps produced by the Delaware River Basin Commission are available at the visitor centers. For those making extended overnight trips, camping is allowed at designated sites along the river. More than 20 liveries are licensed to rent equipment and provide transportation between access points. Write the superintendent for a complete list. For boaters the Delaware is an easy river, but do not be misled by its calm appearance; observe proper safety precautions at all times. Do not go onto the river during times of high water. Hypothermia, the critical lowering of body temperature, is a real danger whenever the water temperature is below 70°F. And whenever you are boating, always wear a lifejacket. Fishing The small lakes and ponds provide excellent fishing for panfish, bass, and pickerel. Rainbow, brook, and brown trout are found in most streams. And the Delaware offers opportunities to catch American shad, smallmouth bass, walleye, eel, catfish, and muskellunge. A valid license is required from the state in which you are fishing. Hunting Hunting is permitted throughout Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in accordance with the game regulations of Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Winter Do not overlook winter as a time for engaging in a multitude of park activities. Two snowmobile trails, one three miles and the other six miles long, have trailheads at Smithfield Beach. The surfaces of lakes and ponds generally freeze solid enough to be safe for ice skating and ice fishing. Neither activity is recommended on a stream or river. Crosscountry skiing is an increasingly popular activity. The Slate Quarry and Blue Mountain Lake Trails are marked and maintained for skiers; deserted roads are ideal for this sport as well. For the experienced, welltrained, and well-equipped, ice climbing is another wintertime activity. Wildlife and Bird Watching This landscape provides a rich diversity of animals and birds. Whitetail deer, beaver, black bear, and maybe even a river otter or bobcat are some of the animals you might see. This is one of the best places in the East to watch for hawks and other raptors during their semi-annual migrations. This is also one of the few locations in the East where bald eagles spend the winter. Mid-morning or late-afternoon during January or February is the best time to spot them. Things to See and Do Delaware Water Gap is not just activities; it is also a place for exploring and learning. You can learn about nature in a residential campus, see objects produced by skilled craftsmen, or visit a restored 19th-century village with some buildings moved in from the surrounding area. Peters Valley Craft Village This is a village of skilled craftsmen who live here working on their particular specialty. They teach beginning and advanced courses, demonstrate techniques, and sell their wares. One-day workshops and short courses are offered year round. For more information, write to: Peters Valley Craftsmen, Layton, NJ 07851. Millbrook Village In 1832 Abram Garris built a mill here, and it came to serve as the nucleus of a village. Millbrook flourished during the middle years of the century, but by 1900 the village was in an irreversible decline. Today Millbrook is the stage for a re-creation of a late-19th century rural community rather than an exact restoration of the original. A self-guiding walking tour of the village tells you about the buildings and life here 100 years ago. Pocono Environmental Education Center For an introduction into the workings of the natural world, this is a good place to begin. Geared primarily to nonprofit groups—schools, churches, or youth organizations—the center also runs vacation camps for families during July and August. Several Elderhostel sessions are held throughout the year. Located in a former honeymoon resort in the Poconos, the center offers study programs in a residential environment. The center maintains 12 miles of hiking trails through its own grounds and has access to 20,000 acres of public lands nearby. For more information, write to: PEEC, R.D. 1, Box 268, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328. Walpack Valley Environmental Education Center The center, which is sponsored by the Eatontown, N.J., Board of Education, caters to elementary and intermediate school students. Programs vary in length from 1J4 to 5 days. They combine classroom activities with chores necessitated by group living. For more information, write to: Walpack Valley Environmental Education Center, P.O. Box 134, Walpack Center, NJ 07881. Administration Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information write to: Superintendent, Bushkill, PA 18324. VGPO 1986-491-417.-40047 Delaware Water Gap Getting There Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is easily accessible from both the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas as well as the nearby cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Scranton, Pa. Food, lodging, gasoline, souvenirs, and medical services are available in the towns surrounding the park. Safety • Rock and ice climbers must register before beginning and after finishing a climb. • Never climb alone. ' S w i m only where and when lifeguards are on duty. • Wear bright clothing when hiking. • Hunting is permitted in some parts of the park, so check for dates of hunting seasons with a park ranger.