Dingman's Falls in winter / NPS

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers year-round recreation, but winter brings reduced services and maintenance due to lower staffing and visitor numbers. This means some roads and facilities will be closed, and others will have limited maintenance.

“Clearing snow and ice from main roads through the park is our top priority during winter weather,” said Bill Tagye, the park's Facility Manager. “Secondary roads, administrative buildings, and open visitor use sites will be addressed after the main roads are safe for travel. Some roads won’t be maintained at all, and others will be closed.”

Prioritizing Road Maintenance

Out of the park’s 150+ miles of roads, key routes have been prioritized for snow and ice removal. These roads provide essential access for residents, emergency services, and travel through the park. However, road conditions may still be challenging during storms, and closures may occur if weather worsens faster than crews can manage or if equipment fails. Roads will reopen as soon as conditions allow.

Winter road closures will begin on January 2, 2025, or after the first significant snowfall, and most will reopen by April 15. Some will remain closed until May.

Road Maintenance Overview

Pennsylvania Roads:

• US Route 209: The park’s highest priority for winter maintenance and treatment.
• River Road: Closed during snow/ice events with no winter maintenance. Will reopen when conditions permit.
• Zion Church Road: Plowed after River Road is cleared.

New Jersey Roads:

• Routes Remaining Open:

  • Route 602 (Millbrook Village to the NPS boundary)
  • NPS Route 615 (except sections closed by landslides and washouts)
  • Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615
  • Old Mine Road (Flatbrookville to Pompey Ridge Road; Millbrook to Flatbrookville)

• Old Mine Road Closures:

  • Southern section (Worthington State Forest boundary to Millbrook Village) and the dirt section near Van Campen Inn will be closed for winter.
  • Northern section (Mettler Road to Route 206): No winter maintenance, and may be closed if conditions are unsafe. Travelers should exercise caution and note limited cell service.

• Other New Jersey Roads:

  • Blue Mountain Lakes Road: Closed to vehicles before storms but accessible by foot, skis, or snowshoes to Blue Mountain Lakes trailhead, Skyline Drive, Crater Lake, and the Appalachian Trail.
  • Mountain Road: Closed for winter. The Flatbrook historic bridge remains closed indefinitely due to structural damage.
  • Jager Road: No winter maintenance.

Visitor Use Sites

• Snow Removal Timeline: Parking lots and walkways will generally be cleared within 72 hours of a storm’s end.

• River Access:

  • Open sites: Dingmans Access, Milford Beach, Bushkill Access (temporarily closed during storms; reopen after priority routes are cleared).
  • Eshback Access: Open but no winter maintenance.
  • Note: River ice may limit access, and the NPS does not clear launch areas of ice.

• Trail Access:

  • Trails remain open but may be snow/ice-covered. Trailhead parking areas will be cleared after priority routes.
  • McDade Recreational Trail: Plowed last, except Jerry Lees and Venturo, which won’t receive maintenance.
  • Dingmans Falls access road and parking lot: Closed to vehicles from January 2 or the first snowfall to April 15. Visitors may walk, ski, or snowshoe to the falls.
  • Raymondskill Falls: Upper lot closed from January 2 or first snowfall to April 15; lower lot open as conditions permit.
  • George W. Childs Park and Cliff Park trailhead: Closed from January 2 or first snowfall to April 15; open only as conditions allow.

Restrooms

Winter restrooms are available at:

• New Jersey: Kittatinny Point Picnic Area, Blue Mountain Lakes parking area, Millbrook Village.
• Pennsylvania: Dingmans Access, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, Hidden Lake, Toms Creek, Milford Beach.

For updates, visit www.nps.gov/dewa, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or call (570) 426-2452.