FAQ: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Brandywine Valley at First State National Historic Park

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Is there an entrance fee?
When, where, and how can I enter the park?
How much is parking? Where can I park?
What can I do at the park? How much do activities cost? Are permits required?
What do I pack?
How do I keep myself and others safe?

Brandywine Valley at First State National Historic Park

Is there an entrance fee?
When, where, and how can I enter the park?
How much is parking? Where can I park?
What can I do at the park? How much do activities cost? Are permits required?
What do I pack?
How do I keep myself and others safe?

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Is there an entrance fee?

No, this park does not have an entrance fee!

However, some areas have expanded amenity fees. The locations are Milford Beach (PA), Dingmans Access (PA), Bushkill Access (PA), Smithfield Beach (PA), and Turtle Beach (NJ), The expanded amenity fees are for swimming, picnicking, and launching boats. Fees range from $2 per pedestrian and cyclist to $10 per vehicle. These fees cover the cost of maintenance in these areas.

Some areas accept only credit or debit card payments. To view a list of payment options per site and learn about the amenity fees, visit the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap Fee and Passes webpage.

When, where, and how can I enter the park?

Most of the park is open 24 hours a day. Picnic areas, parking lots, Millbrook Village, and other day-use areas are open from sunrise to sunset.

You can visit the Park Headquarters at 1978 River Road Bushkill, PA 18324. You can also visit one of the three Visitor Centers – Kittatinny Point, Dingmans Falls, and Millbrook Village visitor centers. The hours for each visitor center depend on the season.

To view the operating hours for the visitor centers, visit the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap Basic Information webpage.

How much is parking? Where can I park?

You can park at visitor centers, trailheads, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and recreational areas. Parking may be limited. Some areas for picnicking and recreational use may charge an entrance fee for vehicles. To view a list of payment options per site and learn about the amenity fees, visit the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap Fee and Passes webpage.

Overnight parking is only allowed with registration for a thru-hiking along the Appalachian Trail, on an extended river trip, or for fishing and hunting during times that fall within applicable state laws. To register, complete the form with the National Park Service.

What can I do at the park? How much do activities cost? Are permits required?

There are many fun recreational activities you can experience! At the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area you can canoe and kayak, swim, hike, view waterfalls and scenic outlooks, fish, camp, bike, and picnic. Licenses are required to fish and permits are required for some campgrounds and boating. Visit the webpages for each activity to learn about specific requirements and regulations regarding permits and licenses.

Delaware Water Gap NRA Picnic Areas map: The image is a map showing the 13 picnic areas within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Areas. There is a QR code that can be scanned and leads to the NPS website that includes the directions to the picnic areas. ©NPCA

The Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River offers 62 primitive campsites located along the river offering the opportunity to sleep under the stars while canoeing. A zonal reservation system is used for these river campsites to reserve a campsite ($16/night) and obtain an overnight parking permit for a fee.

Want to take your furry friend with you to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area? You can! The park is very pet-friendly. While your pet is allowed almost anywhere in the park, there are a few restrictions and rules to know. Visit the park website to learn more about the rules of BARK and how to keep your pet safe. Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go.

If you are hiking with children, we created a list of ideas for engaging kids on the trail to help you plan for your next family trip. To capture special moments of your park adventures, check out our blog on taking amazing pictures in the outdoors.

What do I pack?

In addition to packing the 10 essentials, your packing list will depend on your planned activities, personal needs, and the season. Before you visit the park, check the park conditions to stay updated with alerts, closures, and seasonal conditions as circumstances in the park can change quickly. The National Park Service’s Trip Planning Guide is an excellent tool to use no matter how experienced you are with the outdoors.

We created tips for visiting parks during the summer and winter to help you plan a fun and stress-free trip. If you are visiting the park in the colder months, we have tips for you to stay warm and enjoy your visit.

How do I keep myself and others safe?

There are many ways we can minimize stress and prevent accidents while having fun! For the safety of our families, ourselves, and the park, we created a list of tips to stay safe and tips to respect wildlife, stay safe, and avoid internet ridicule.

The beautiful landscape diversity of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has a variety of bodies of water. Regardless of your swimming abilities, always wear your lifejacket on and in the water as water conditions can change rapidly. Children 12 years and younger and anyone paddling or on a boat must wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets at all times when on the river.

To learn more about how to stay safe and what to do in an emergency during various recreational activities, visit the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap Safety webpage.

Brandywine Valley at First State National Historic Park

Is there an entrance fee?

No, this park district does not have an entrance fee!

When, where, and how can I enter the park?

The park district is open from sunrise to sunset. The address to the Smith Bridge Picnic Area is Brandywine Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803.

How much is parking? Where can I park?

The Brandywine Valley has four parking lots with limited spots at no cost. The parking lots cannot accommodate oversized vehicles. Visit the Park Service website for parking lot addresses and additional details.

What can I do at the park? How much do activities cost? Are permits required?

The larger Brandywine Valley stretches into northern Delaware and southern Pennsylvania. You can explore more than 1,300 acres of agricultural fields, pastures, forested hills, and streams and hike along more than 23 miles of recreational trails. The Brandywine Valley is perfect for families to picnic, fly kites, walk, and swim at the Brandywine Creek.

Pets are welcome to join you at the Brandywine Valley but must be on a leash at all times. If you are hiking with children, we created a list of ideas for engaging kids on the trail to help you plan for your next family trip. To capture special moments of your park adventures, check out our blog on taking amazing pictures in the outdoors.

The Sheriff’s House Welcome Center at 10 Market Street, New Castle, DE 19803, offers interpretive programming and interactive displays. NPS Staff are also available to provide details about visiting partner sites throughout the state.

What do I pack?

This is a carry-in-carry-out park, meaning no trash should be left behind when you leave.

In addition to packing the 10 essentials, your packing list will depend on your planned activities, personal needs, and the season. Before you visit, check the park conditions to stay updated with alerts, closures, and seasonal conditions as circumstances in the park can change quickly. The National Park Service’s Trip Planning Guide is an excellent tool to use no matter how experienced you are with the outdoors.

We created tips for visiting parks during the summer and winter to help you plan a fun and stress-free trip. If you are visiting the park in the colder months, we have tips for you to stay warm and enjoy your visit.

How do I keep myself and others safe?

There are many ways we can minimize stress and prevent accidents while having fun! For the safety of our families, ourselves, and the park, we created a list of tips to stay safe and tips to respect wildlife, stay safe, and avoid internet ridicule.

Watch your steps when walking through the tall grass to avoid ticks. Some ticks can present danger to humans and animals, especially in warmer weather. Visit the National Park Service website to learn more about tick safety. To learn more about how to stay safe and what to do in an emergency during various recreational activities, visit the National Park Service’s First State Safety webpage.