Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Great spangled fritillary on butterfly weed in a meadow along Mountain Rd in the Delaware the Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is part of the National Park Service
Van Campens Brook Flows over the first tier of Van Campens Falls in the Delaware the Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is part of the National Park Service
Water cascades over mossy rocks along Buttermilk Creek in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is part of the National Park Service
Van Campens Brook runs along mossy rocks in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is part of the National Park Service
A meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Van Campens Brook in the a meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Along Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Silver Spray falls framed by rhododendron in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is part of the National Park Service
Along Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Queen Anne's Lace along Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Snowball fight in a meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
View of the Delaware River from Mount Tammany
Blueberry bushes on the top of Mount Tammany in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Rocky climb up Mount Tammany in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Chair on an abandoned farm along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
A meadow along Mountain Rd in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Pond near Crater Lake in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Van Campens Glen in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Field of horse weed in a meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Hoar frost on berries in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Queen Anne's Lace in a meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
My favorite tree in a meadow along Mountain Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Van Campens Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Shaggy mane mushrooms along Old Mine Rd. in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Buttermilk Falls Trail in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Autumn in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Born from controversy, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA), which is part of the National Park Service, offers year-round recreation from hiking to boating to wildlife watching. Within its 70,000 acres it cradles diverse plant and wildlife, fascinating geologic features, and a complicated history.

Around the Gap

All photos copyrighted by Dawn J. Benko, unless otherwise noted

How the Gap was formed

A water gap is formed when water carves its way through a mountain range. The Delaware Water Gap is known for its depth, width, and scenic beauty. It is more than 1,200 feet from mountaintop to the river surface, nearly a quarter mile wide at river level and about a mile wide from the top of Mt. Tammany to the top of Mt. Minsi. Sand and rock move with the river flow, continuing to scour out the riverbed and making the water gap larger over time.

The graphic below comes from the park’s Guide to the Gap

Graphic showing how the Gap was formed
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