Which Gap?
Delaware Water Gap is the name of a geologic formation on the Delaware River; it is the name of a Pennsylvania village alongside the river and Gap; and it is the name of the national park that stretches from the geologic Gap northeast to Milford PA.
Orientation
The park lies in a northeast-to-southwest direction, parallel with the river and with ridges of the Appalachian chain. The park is 35 miles from north to south and only about 5 miles wide; so, if you are near a bridge (see below), the closest facility to you may be on the other side of the river.
The north end of the park is in the tri-state area, where three states lie only steps apart: Pennsylvania is west of the Delaware River; New York and New Jersey, with an arbitrary boundary between them, are east of the river. (The view from High Point Park encompasses all three sates.) Interstate 84 and Route 6 thread east-west through the area; older and smaller state routes run northeast-southwest parallel the mountain ridges.
The south end of the park touches Interstate 80 where the Delaware River forms the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At this point the Delaware River is running west to east, making New Jersey south of Pennsylvania. Route 611 in Pennsylvania is the best place to stop to see the Gap. There are three overlooks in the 4 miles of Route 611 bewteen the villages of Delaware Water Gap PA and Portland PA. (This is the same Route 611 that reaches the outskirts of Philadelphia PA, about 60 miles south.)
Roads
The major north-south artery for the Pennsylvania side of the park is Route 209, speed limit of 35-45 mph. The route can be congested from Interstate 80 until it enters the park at Bushkill PA 14 miles north. For alternate routes, please link to Travel Tips.
Historic Old Mine Road runs the length of the park on the New Jersey side, speed limit 15-35 mph. This is a small paved country road with a relaxed pace and much scenery.
Bridges
There are only three places to cross the Delaware River within the 35 miles of the park. The Interstate 80 bridge at Delaware Water Gap (EZPass or toll of $.75 westbound in 2006) at the south end of the park; the privately-owned bridge in Dingmans Ferry PA linking PA Route 739 and NJ Route 560 ($.75 each way in 2006), 28 miles north of Interstate 80, and the Route 206 (Milford-Montague) bridge (EZPass or toll of $.75 westbound in 2006) near Milford PA at the north end of the park, 6 miles south of Interstate 84.
