Picnic table at Kittatinny Point in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area sits on a bluff above the Delaware River

The Kittatinny Point Picnic Area is open year-round from 6 AM to 8 PM from mid-April through mid-October, and from sunrise to sunset at other times of the year. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. There are no grills, and grilling of any sort is not allowed.

The main picnic area at Kittatinny Point is located near the Visitor Center (now closed). It consists of a covered pavilion with a half dozen tables and a dozen more tables spread out over a large area. A few overlook the river, or I should say, once overlooked the river. Trees and other vegetation have grown up over the years, and now there isn’t much of a view.

Picnic tables at Kittatinny Point in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Picnic pavilion at Kittatinny Point in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

There is a modern restroom that is closed in the off season, but the two fancy outhouses are usually open. These are what Jed Clampett would call portable toilets in a permanent building.

Fancy outhouses at the Kittatinny Point Picnic Area in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

If the main picnic area is full, you can drive down the road to a second picnic area. This is a long, narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Delaware River and I-80. From the small parking lot, it is a tenth of a mile walk to the tables at the far end. Furthermore, despite this being a large area, there are less than a dozen tables, and many of them are the old wooden ones which are pretty much guaranteed to give you splinters in your ass. And being right next to I-80, traffic noise is extreme. As with the main picnic area, tables may be along the river, but the views aren’t that great.

Picnic table at the overflow picnic area at Kittatinny Point, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Picnic tables at the overflow picnic area at Kittatinny Point, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

While there is ample parking at the facility, this place is packed on nice weekends. I visited in mid-October and had to park along the street quite far from the main picnic area. In addition to the picnic tables, there is a boat and canoe launch, which draws in even more people to the area.

Other than at the pavilion, Kittatinny Point is not a good place to hold a group picnic. Most of the tables, particularly the newer aluminum ones, are anchored to the ground so that they cannot be moved to a common area. Furthermore, groups of 30 or more people need a permit to use the picnic area, but this does not guarantee any tables. Somebody in the group still has to be there first thing in the morning to stake a claim. The better option is to hold your outing at the Milford Beach Picnic Area, which can be reserved. For information about permits, call the special use permit coordinator for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area at (570) 426-2440.

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