Del. Water Gap First Time Visitor Advice
 

Hi folks! My family will be camping near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area this weekend. New Jersey side, Fairview Lake area. I'm bringing a folding bike(349 wheels).

It's my first time visiting this area and could use some advice on where to ride and what to see. Time might be a constraint with trying to spend family time and rain is predicted this weekend. Need help with routes that are paved(are there any?) as my skinny tires will probably have a hard time with mud. Don't know which falls are reachable by bike; Dingman's, Bushkill, Buttermilk, etc.

Appreciate any help from locals & those that have ridden the region. Thanks!
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/...b1187b76_z.jpgVan Cortland Park, da Bronx by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

The road that goes past Buttermilk Falls is not paved, and the portion that leads to the falls from the south had YUUGE pot holes when I drive it last September. Even with my Forester I had to pick my way through.


Bushkill is on the PA side of the river, so riding there would require some time on U.S. 209. It has skinny shoulders in some places. Bring money if you plan to cross Dingmans Bridge. It's a private toll bridge and they charge for bikes.


I have ridden though the entire DWG numerous times, mostly on the NJ side. Not sure where your campground is (I have stayed at Worthington), but both Old Mine Rd. and N.P.S. 615 are nice rides. There is a steep climb between the road that leads to/from Dingmans Bridge (C.R. 560) and Peter's Valley Craft Village. (Old Mine turns into Walpack Rd. during the climb.) If you head north from the craft village you will be on C.R. 615. After a few miles you will come to Layton, where there is a nice, Greek-inspired restaurant/store. If you head south the village you will be on N.P.S. 615. N.P.S. 615 ends and you pick up Old Mine Rd. again there is a very steep climb. That climb is also usually very bumpy in place. On the left you will see a road towards Crater Lake. That's pretty, but there is more climbing. After the summit you descend down to Old Millbrook Village. Old Mine Rd. from there toward Worthington State Forest and I-80 is nice. Don't go up Millbrook Rd towards Blairstown unless you want pain. There is an incredibly steep section.


In the end, it's impossible to make a loop on paved roads using only the NJ side. The most benign riding in terms of hills is the northern Section of Old Mine Rd. between U.S. 206 and C.R. 560. Any climbing is very gentle, and you pass by the oldest house in Sussex County, NJ. Keep you eyes open for bears!

Thank you, @indyfabz ! This is exactly the kind of useful info I was hoping for. :D

No problem. I live in Philly. One favorite mini-tour of mine to rent a car one way to Port Jervis, NY and then ride home over three days, passing through the park on the Jersey side. Last year I did a week long tour from Brattleboro, VT to Philly that incorporated that route.


If you every get the chance, the campground on Old Mine Rd. in Worthington State Forest is really nice. Sites 11 and 12 are particularly nice as they have private river access and are close to the bathrooms, showers and camp sink. You can also rent canoes and kayaks there for pretty cheap. Nice hiking there, too. It's usually very crowded on the weekends, especially during foliage season, so reservations are recommended. I stayed there two nights during my trip from Brattleboro to avoid having to ride into Philly on a weekday.


Another thing: If you ride south from the craft village you can sort of make a teardrop loop. Check back a little later. I will post a map.

One possibility:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24766138


No hard climbs. If you continue up Bevans Rd. that takes you to Layton where the Greek place is.

We stayed at the Fairview Lake YMCA camp in Newton, NJ. It was a lot of fun. Didn't get too much time to explore with all of the camp activities.
Just wandered a bit on some back roads in the forest. There's an old abandoned road from camp leading inside the woods. Wasn't ready for the
steep hills. Both mechanically & physically. Slow going up the really steep parts on my 3 speed folder and hardly riding legs. I also stopped to cool
my rim brakes on the long downhills; can smell them overheating. Rained pretty much all Sunday.

But I appreciate all the info @indyfabz; will try to come back maybe next fall on the PA side. :)

No problem. But aside from U.S. 209, the PA side inside the Recreation Area has some brutal climbs away from the river. South of the recreation area most of it is very commercial. Look up the Paulinskill Valley Trail in NJ. Totally forgot about it until just now. It's not paved, but might be doable on a folder with good tires.