Winter Services and Operations
Visitor services and maintenance operations are reduced during the winter months when staffing levels and visitation are at their lowest. This includes the closure of some roads and visitor use sites. Roads that are closed to vehicles are open to hiking and cross country skiing. Pets are permitted on closed roads. Following winter storms, roads may be closed temporarily until they can be cleared of snow.
Visitor Information:
Visitor Centers will remain closed during the winter season. Visitor Information is available by phone, Facebook Messenger, or email Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, through April 15, except federal holidays. Please call (570) 426-2452, message the park via Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS, or email the park at dewa_interpretation@nps.gov.
Roads:
In
New Jersey, the top priority roads that will remain open during the winter months are Route 602 (from Millbrook Village to the NPS boundary), NPS Route 615, Old Mine Road (between Flatbrookville and Pompey Ridge Road), Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615, Old Mine Road between Millbrook and Flatbrookville. The section of Old Mine Road between the Worthington State Forest boundary and Millbrook Village and the dirt section of Old Mine Road near Van Campen Inn will be closed between January 2 and April 15. Additionally, Blue Mountain Lakes Road will remain open to the parking area for the Blue Mountain Lakes trail and will be closed to vehicles beyond that point for the season. Mountain Road, which is currently closed to vehicles will remain closed during this period, but visitors may walk, snowshoe, or cross-country ski on the road.
In
Pennsylvania, US Route 209 is the top priority road for winter maintenance and treatment. River Road in PA will be closed prior to snow and/or ice events and will not be re-opened until priority routes are clear and safe and conditions permit. Zion Church Road will be plowed after River Road has been opened.
River Access:
Winter river access will be available at Smithfield Beach, Milford Beach, and Bushkill Access. These areas will be closed temporarily during a storm and re-opened after priority routes are clear and safe for travel. River ice may limit access depending on conditions. The NPS does not clear river ice from launch areas. Eshback Access will remain open but will receive no winter maintenance.
Trail Access:
All trails that are currently open will remain open during the winter, but trailhead parking will be dependent on conditions and may be limited in some areas. Road closures may also affect access to some trails. Trailhead parking areas that will remain open during the winter months will not be cleared of ice and snow until after all priority routes are clear and safe for travel. Access to the McDade Recreational Trail will be available at Smithfield Beach, Park Headquarters, Bushkill Access, and Milford Beach. The parking lot and access road to Dingmans Falls will remain closed to vehicles from January 2 to April 15 but the trail will remain open and visitors may walk, ski, or snowshoe to the falls. The upper parking lot for Raymondskill Falls will be closed from the first snowfall until April 15 but the lower parking lot will remain open, as conditions permit.
Restrooms:
Restrooms are available at Kittatinny Point Picnic Area and Millbrook Village in NJ and at Smithfield Beach, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, and Milford Beach in PA. All facilities with running water will be closed for the winter including restrooms and outdoor spigots.
