Delaware Water Gap Hanging?

**Knotty** · 06-09-2009, 17:14

Anyone know if hanging is allowed at the backpackers campsite in Worthington State Forest on the AT in NJ between the Delaware Water Gap and Sunfish Pond?

The backpackers campsite is the only place on the trail you're allowed to camp, but if hammocks aren't allowed you have to hike about 10+ miles so that you're no longer in the state forest, then you can camp along the trail again.

10 miles isn't much to experienced hikers, but I'm new to this, have bad hips and it's an uphill climb. I'm worried that we'll reach the backpackers site only to discover we can't hang and my hips won't let me go any further.

Would love to hear from those who know.

Thanks

**Ramblinrev** · 06-09-2009, 17:19

On the PA side of the AT there is a shelter not too far from the Water Gap. Access is easy and hanging is allowed. It is an easy drive from the shelter to the Water Gap for sight seeing.

**Dutch** · 06-09-2009, 17:34

Ron there really isn't anywhere along the AT that I wouldn't hang. A few places like the Smokeys I may step just out of sight form the trail or set up late. I have hiked there several times and I don't remember any regulations about no hanging and I usually look for such rules, mostly so i can break them.

**SoundWitness** · 06-09-2009, 17:54

I hung at the Backpackers Site #2 at the Douglas Trail in mid-May. Speaking to a NPS Ranger as well, that was admiring my Warbonnet BB and my MBD alky stove. He did note that he was happy to see more and more hangers using straps as opposed to "string" as he put it. Be prepared to answer a question related to whether or not you are a "thru-hiker' or hiking more that 2 days. They are discouraging people from staying overnight to just "party".

**Rockdawg69** · 06-09-2009, 18:18

Originally Posted by SoundWitness

I hung at the Backpackers Site #2 at the Douglas Trail in mid-May. Speaking to a NPS Ranger as well, that was admiring my Warbonnet BB and my MBD alky stove. He did note that he was happy to see more and more hangers using straps as opposed to "string" as he put it. Be prepared to answer a question related to whether or not you are a "thru-hiker' or hiking more that 2 days. They are discouraging people from staying overnight to just "party".

Same here. Hung the entire length of Kittatinny Ridge except for a couple of spots where I wanted to shelter with some other hikers for company. My last night was at Backpacker Site # 2. Be sure and carry your water as none is on the site, or at least there was none in October.

**Knotty** · 06-09-2009, 18:25

SW & Dawg: We'll be hiking for 3 days, so we've got the "thru-hiker" angle covered. Glad to hear you've actually hung at this site. This is such a weight off my mind.

Dutch: My nature also pushes me to want to bend the rules here, but this is a heavily trekked section and the rangers are on the lookout. Also has a lot of bears. A friend told me about a recent situation in the area where some idiot gave a bear a bagel but then was freaked to see the bear going after his daughter who was...wait for it...eating a bagel.

Rev: We're starting at the Gap and heading north. Strictly NJ stuff.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-09-2009, 18:39

Originally Posted by Knotty

Rev: We're starting at the Gap and heading north. Strictly NJ stuff.

Gotcah .. with the mention of bad hips and all I didn't know if this was a sightseeing vaction with camping or hiking excursion. I guessed wrong.... oh well.. no harm no foul...