The
Delaware Water Gap is a mountain pass on the border of New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, where the Delaware
River traverses a large ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Worthington State Forest is to the immediate northeast on the
New Jersey side of the border. U.S. Interstate 80 passes through
the gap on the New Jersey side, while the mainline of the old Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad passes through on the Pennsylvania
side. The Delaware Water Gap is the site of the Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area, which is used primarily for recreational
purposes, such as rafting, canoeing, and hiking.
The ridge of the Appalachians that the Delaware crosses
is called the Blue Mountains in Pennsylvania and the Kittatinny
Ridge in New Jersey. The New Jersey mountain is Mt. Tammany (located
in Worthington State Forest), the Pennsylvania mountain is Mt. Minsi.
The summit of Tammany is 1200 ft (360 m) above the river. The Appalachian
Trail threads the gap, and climbs the Kittatinies by a beautiful
stream called Dunnfield Creek. In the 1960s, a dam was almost built
upstream of the water gap at Tocks Island. The Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area was created from the land acquired for
the planned reservoir.
Pahaquarra Scout Camp was located on the Old Mine Road on the New
Jersey side of the river. The camp served Boy Scouts from the George
Washington Council. Camp Weygadt was located at the base of Mt.
Tammany. It served Boy Scouts from the Delaware Valley Council.