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Van Ness Road - Kittatinny Pond

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Van Ness Road, Walpack Township, NJ
Phone: (570) 426-2452, Bushkill, PA
www.nps.gov/dewa

OWNER:  U.S. Department of the Interior

DIRECTIONS:  Turn Right out of the parking area onto NPS 615 North. Stay on this road; at the three-point intersection in Peters Valley, continue straight on Walpack Road North (also known locally as Dingmans/Peter Valley Road), which becomes Old Mine Road. After 5.1 miles there is a stop at the intersection of CR 560 West (near the Dingmans Choice Bridge crossing the Delaware River), proceed straight through to continue on Old Mine Road, and after 0.3 miles note Mettler Road on the Left. After 0.9 miles turn Right onto Van Ness Road, which is the first road on the Right and is not marked, look for the landmark of Mettler Cemetery along the way. To access Kittatinny Pond, continue on Van Ness Road and at the end turn Left onto the dirt road extension of Upper Ridge Road to the end for the parking area.   Map
RestroomsGift Shop
ACCESS AND PARKING:  Van Ness Road is approximately one mile long and is not paved. Note this is an old road and not yet an official park trail. Parking on the shoulder is allowed. Hunting is allowed along the road and throughout Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Make sure to be aware of the seasons and dress appropriately in Blaze or Hunter Orange Clothing. For the seasonal schedule visit: www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/hunting.htm. Fishing is allowed at Kittatinny Pond and there is a boat ramp along with parking.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Yellow-billed CuckooScott Elowitz
 
SITE DESCRIPTION:  Proximity to the Delaware River makes this forested habitat great for many bird species and wildlife in general. View it from the vehicle or on foot along Van Ness Road. Highlighted species include; nesting Golden-winged and Black-and-white Warblers and Blue-winged, Northern Parula, Hooded, Prairie, Pine, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Canada and Cerulean Warblers. Nesting Yellow-breasted Chat and Alder Flycatcher may also be seen, along with Willow Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Great Horned and Barred Owls. Look for Great Blue and Green Herons along the edges of Kittatinny Pond. Migrant waterfowl may use the pond during different seasons and occasionally Bald Eagle may fish here. The pond boasts a good array of wildflowers in late summer and early fall including Joe Pye weed, cardinal flower, swamp milkweed, turtlehead and fringed gentian. Black bear are common in the area, and it is best to admire them from a distance. Also look for porcupine and the elusive and endangered bobcat throughout the area.

ButterfliesHuntingWildflowers