Public Comment

NPS Proposed Fee Changes for Delaware Water Gap NRA

30-day Public Comment Period Opens December 16, 2024

The National Park Service (NPS) at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is proposing several changes to the park’s fee system and is seeking public input on the proposal during a 30-day public comment period beginning December 16, 2024, and ending on January 14, 2025. 

The proposal includes an increase in fee amounts, a two-week extension of the fee season, changes to the annual pass purchases, and the addition of two new fee sites. If approved the fee changes would go into effect in April 2025.

The proposed changes would include:

· Increasing amenity fees from $10 per vehicle per day to $20 per vehicle per day at the sites that charge expanded amenity fees and extending the fee season by approximately 2 weeks to November 1.
· Increasing the cost of an annual pass from $45 to $60 and discontinuing discounts for multiple passes issued to the same household.
· Charging amenity fees at two new sites, Kittatinny Point in New Jersey, and Hialeah Picnic Area in Pennsylvania.  Day passes for these sites would be available through recreation.gov, the NPS online reservation system, or in person by using a drop box and fee envelope like those used at other unstaffed fee sites in the park.

What would the fee increase fund?

If approved, increased revenue from the proposed fee changes would allow the park to hire additional seasonal employees, including custodians, trail workers, interpretive park rangers and visitor center staff, and public safety staff to help meet the public’s needs and ensure outstanding visitor experiences. 

As required by FLREA, a portion of revenue raised through amenity fees must be used to complete much-needed repairs and improvements at key recreation sites and facilities throughout the park including the implementation of some of the strategies that were identified in the park’s Visitor Use Management Plan (VUM Plan, 2020).

Tell us what you think: 

To make an official comment on the proposal, go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/DEWAFees25 and click on “Comment Now,” or mail your written comment to Superintendent Doyle Sapp, Attention:  Fee Change Proposal, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18324.  The 30-day comment period is open from December 16, 2024, until midnight on January 14, 2025.  Comments received via email or on social media will be considered and are appreciated but will not be a part of the official record for this proposal.