NPS Announces Implementation of Winter Service Levels, Plowing Priorities
12/9/25

BUSHKILL, Pa. — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will implement typical winter service levels. During annual low staff seasons, the park takes this action to ensure visitor safety.

Park staff give priority to plowing main roads through the park for the safety and convenience of local residents and visitors. Park staff will then plow secondary roads and parking areas to buildings open for public use. Some roads may receive no winter maintenance or will close until clear of snow and ice naturally. A few will be gated and closed to all vehicle traffic through the winter.

Closures will go into effect January 2, 2026 or upon the first significant snowfall. Most sites will reopen on April 15, 2026, while the rest will open in May.

"Visitor safety remains our top concern when maintaining over 150 miles of paved and dirt roads," said Acting Superintendent Eamon Leighty. “With our limited winter staffing capacity, we prioritize roads and areas with the highest visitor use, ensuring those traveling within the park can do so safely.

Park staff will make every effort to keep priority routes open and safe for travel during and after winter weather events. During a storm, drivers should expect roadways to be snow-covered. When in doubt, do not drive.

Priority routes may need to close temporarily if inclement weather exceeds our ability to clear it, or if equipment fails or breaks down. In this case, roads will be cleared and reopened as soon as possible.

The reduced winter services effects are as follows:

Pennsylvania Roads:

-          US Route 209 is the top priority road for winter maintenance in the Pennsylvania side of the park.

-          River Road from Hialeah Recreation Site to Park Headquarters will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. This road will be closed before inclement weather events begin and will reopen when conditions permit.

-          Zion Church Road will be plowed, if needed, after River Road has reopened.

New Jersey Roads:

Top priority routes that will remain OPEN during winter months:

-          Route 602 from Millbrook Village to the NPS Boundary

-          NPS Route 615 except sections that are closed due to an active landslide and road washout[DC1] 

-          Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615

-          Old Mine Road between Flatbrookville and Pompey Ridge Road

-          Old Mine Road between Milbrook Village and Flatbrookville

Old Mine Road will be CLOSED in these sections:

-          Between Worthington State Forest boundary and Millbrook Village

-          The dirt section of Old Mine Road that passes the Van Campen Inn

-          Old Mine Road between Mettler Road and the intersection with Route 206 will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. This section of road will not be plowed or treated for ice. Travel in this section is at your own risk. Cell phone service is not reliable.

Other NJ Roads:

-          Blue Mountain Lakes Road will close to vehicles at the bottom of the hill prior to a storm and will reopen when conditions allow. Visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe on the road during closure.

-          The NPS section of Mountain Road will close to vehicles. Visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe the road during closure.

-          The historic bridge over the Flatbrook in Walpack Center remains closed due to substantial structural damage.

-          Jager Road, from Old Mine Road to the NPS boundary, will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE.

Visitor Use Sites:

Park staff will normally clear walkways and parking lots within 72 hours of the end of a storm.

River Access:

Open river access will close temporarily during a storm. These areas will be cleared AFTER priority routes become safe for travel. River ice may limit access depending on conditions

-          River access will be available at:

            o    Dingmans Access

            o    Milford Beach

            o    Bushkill Access

-          Eshback access will receive no winter maintenance

Trail Access:

All trails currently open remain open during the winter. Trailhead parking will depend on weather conditions and may be limited. Road closures affect access to some trails. Trailhead parking areas that remain open will only be cleared AFTER priority routes have been cleared for safe travel. Trails are not maintained or groomed and may be ice/snow covered.

-          McDade Recreational trail parking areas will be plowed after all other roads and facilities are completed EXCEPT Jerry Lees and Venturo, which will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE.

-          Dingmans Falls Visitor Center, access roads, parking area and trail remain closed to all traffic and access for ongoing bridge replacement and trail repair projects.

-          The upper parking lot for Raymondskill Falls will close from January 2, or when the first significant snowfall arrives, through April 15. The lower parking lot will remain open as conditions permit. 

-          The parking lot for George W. Childs Park will close from January 2 or the first significant snowfall, until April 15.

-          The Cliff Park trailhead parking area will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. It will be open as conditions allow. 

Restrooms:

Restrooms are available at:

-          Kittatinny Point Picnic Area and Millbrook Village in New Jersey.

-          Milford Beach, Dingmans Access, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, Hidden Lake and Toms Creek in Pennsylvania.

For additional information visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa, follow us on social media at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS and www.Instagram.com/DelWaterGapNPS, email the park, or call the information desk during open business hours at (570) 426-2452.

www.nps.gov