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George White's Backcountry Tips

Here are some backcountry tips for paddlers and canoers.

Good stuff to have when canoeing in the outdoors.

DEADFALL TRAP

This type of trap is very effective but it will kill the animal that gets caught in the trap, so if you decide not to eat it you killed an animal for nothing. Only make a deadfall trap in an emergency.

You need the following things: A heavy log, a round rock, a sturdy stick about 1 to 2 feet long, a thinner stiff stick about a foot long.

Lift one end of the log up and support it with the sturdy stick. The sturdy stick in turn should be standing on top of the round rock. One end of the smaller stiff stick is placed between the rock and the sturdy stick, the other end should be suspended in the air right under the log, the stiff stick should be roughly horizontal.

Carefully place the bait on the stiff stick.

To make the trap more stable and more difficult to trigger you can cut the part of the stiff bait stick flat where it rests between the rock and the sturdy stick. You can also cut the bottom of the sturdy stick flat, it all depends on what size animal you are trying to kill.

Delaware National Scenic River

Bushkill, PA

In 1978, Congress designated the section of the Delaware River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The river flows 40 miles through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and offers excellent opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing.

CONTACTS

Email - dewa_interpretation@nps

Fax- 570-588-2780

Write to
Middle Delaware National Scenic River
c/o Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Bushkill, PA 18324

Phone
Headquarters - 570-588-2435
Visitor Information - 570-588-2451
Headquarters(TDD) - 1-800-654-5984

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The Delaware River is open 24 hours a day, year-round, unless closed due to ice, flooding or other hazardous conditions. River accesses and most facilities open dawn to dusk, 365 days of the year. Some facilities are closed in winter.

Getting There
PLANE - Each of the following three airports are approximately 1 1/2 hours away from our Headquaters Building (located in Bushkill, PA):

Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown, PA: 1-888-FLY-LVIA, 610-266-6000

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA: 570-457-3445

Newark International Airport, Newark, NJ: 973-961-6000

CAR - We are located on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (and very close to the New York border).

Approximate distance from several major cities:

Philadelphia, PA - 90 miles New York City, NY - 70 miles Newark, NJ - 64 miles Scranton, PA - 53 miles

From northern Pennsylvania and New England, connect to Interstate 84, then to Route 209 South (Exit 10) through Milford or (Exit 11) Matamoras to enter the north end of the park. Pick up a map or brochure at the Matamoras, PA I-84 Welcome Center.

From southern Pennsylvania and points west, connect to Interstate 80 East; past Stroudsburg take 209 North (Exit 52) to the middle of the park at Bushkill - Visit Bushkill Visitor Center for information and brochures - or cross the I-80 bridge to first exit in New Jersey. Visit Kittatinny Point Visitor Center for information and brochures.

From New York City and New Jersey, connect to Interstate 80 West to the Delaware Water Gap at the south end of the park. Pick up a map and brochure at Kittatinny Point Visitor Center. Routes NJ 15 N and 206 W lead to the north end of the park and Milford, PA.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Bus, Airplane, Train, Car Rental and Taxi Services are available near the recreation area:

Bus service between New York City and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA stops at Stroudsburg, PA - 4 miles from the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center and 3 miles from the Appalachian Trail at the Gap.

Martz Bus Lines: 570-421-3040 Greyhound Bus Service: 1-800-231-2222

Limited seasonal bus service from New York City area to Milford and Matamoras, PA. Regular daily service is provided to Port Jervis, NY.

Shortline Bus Service: 1-800-631-8405

Limited daily passenger train service is available from Hoboken, NJ, to Port Jervis, NY. PATH (subway) connection is available from New York City to Hoboken.

MTA Metro-North Railroad: 1-800-638-7646

Limited auto rental and taxi service may be available in Stroudsburg, Milford and Matamoras, PA, and Port Jervis, NY.

Weather & Climate
Summer air temperatures average 75 - 85 degrees F (some days in the 90s) with lows to the 50s. Moderately high humidity. Occasional thunderstorms and dense fog. Water temperatures in summer (May to September) rise from the mid-50s to highs in the mid-70s in July.

Spring and fall climate is variable. Temperatures can drop rapidly after sunset on warm days. Wetsuits may be required for river use.

Winter air temperatures (December to March) are frequently below freezing, with numerous snow and ice storms in some years. Water temperatures drop from the 50s to the 30s by December, with most of the river usually freezing over each winter.

Clothing: Always dress in layers. Be prepared for rain and cold weather at any time. Hypothermia is possible, especially on the river, even during the summer. Pack properly for your river trip. Appropriate, well-fitted shoes are essential for hiking or climbing.

Accessibility
Accessible parking, buildings, and restrooms at visitor centers and at Headquarters.

Accessible picnic sites at Kittatinny, Depew, and Watergate in New Jersey, and at Milford Beach, Childs Park, Toms Creek, and Smithfield Beach in Pennsylvania.

Brochure on accessibility in the park is available at visitor centers and at Headquarters.

Getting Around
The Middle Delaware National Scenic River flows through the heart of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Combined, these two areas have property located in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including approximately 40 miles of the Delaware River. These areas fall within five counties, three in Pennsylvania (Northampton, Monroe, and Pike) and two in New Jersey (Warren and Sussex).

No public transportation is available within the recreation area.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
RECREATION FEES FOR SOME AREAS
$Varies for One Time
Some park areas, such as boat launches and beaches, have a user fee. These fees are used to defray certain park operating costs (resource management, infrastructure repair, and maintenance projects, etc.).

CAMPING

Dingmans Campground
Please call for updated dates of operation
This private campground operates under a permit from the National Park Service, and is located along Route 209 in Dingmans Ferry, PA (just south of the intersection of Route 739 and Route 209).
For More Information on this campground please call 570-828-2266

River Camping
Primitive camping areas are designated along the river for boaters travelling from one access point to another or when the distance is to great to be covered in one day. Campsites are limited to a one-night stay, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. No permits are required and no fee is charged. Other regulations apply. For a river map that lists campsites and regulations, call the below number.
For More Information on this campground please call 570-588-2451.

FACILITIES

HEADQUARTERS
Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone - 570-588-2435
Location - Bushkill, PA - Located on the north side of River Road approximately 1 mile east of the Route 209 intersection (at Fernwood Resort) or approximately 9.5 miles north of I-80.
Closures - Closed on federal holidays. Closed every Saturday and Sunday. Closed occassionally due to extreme weather or hazardous road conditions.
Available Facilities - Park Headquarters, Administrative Building. Also provides visitor Information, Parking and Restrooms.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service