NPS · Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area · Bushkill, NJ

Alosa Campsites

The Alosa Campsites are boat-in only sites located on the west (Pennsylvanian) shore of the Delaware River near Bushkill, Pennsylvania. The side of the river with the campsites will be on your right while traveling downstream. This section of the river offers unspoiled views, excellent boating, fishing, and birding opportunities within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. These reservation-only campsites are available to boaters who are on a multi-day river trip. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area also offers other boat in only campsites that are $16 and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in New Jersey · reservable in New Jersey · tent only in New Jersey · pets allowed in New Jersey

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
River with greenery on the edge of the rocky shoreAlosa Campsite with shade treesRiver view with greenery on the edge of the rocky shoreTwo green kayaks on shore of river with trees in the background
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo, NPS photo · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Boat-in6
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

6 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFires
AL2Riverfront10 / –Yes
AL4Riverfront6 / –Yes
AL6Riverfront6 / –Yes
AL8Riverfront6 / –Yes
AL10Riverfront6 / –Yes
AL12Riverfront6 / –Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesA $10 non refundable service fee applies for changes or cancellations.

The Alosa Campsites are composed of six individual reservation-only campsites. Five of the campsites hold a maximum capacity of six people per site (AL4,6,8,10,12), and one campsite holds a max capacity of 10 people (AL2). The site has three boat take-outs. Each take-out serves two campsites: the upstream most serving sites AL2 & AL4, middle serving AL6 & AL8, and the furthest downstream serving AL10 & AL12. There is a steep, 10-foot bank between the water's edge and the campsite locations; boats will need to be pulled out of the water. There is a large sign at the first boat take-out that states "Alosa Campsites". Each take-out has signs indicating their location and each campsite is clearly numbered. Porta Johns are located on site for campers to utilize. Or dig 6-8-inch-deep cat holes 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites Each individual campsite is outfitted with a fire ring with grate and has enough space for a several small to mid-size tents. There is no potable water (for drinking or cooking) available onsite. No vehicles are allowed at these sites. They are designated for boat-in only river trips.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Alosa Campsites20°30°40°50°60°70°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 27.0°F averageFebruary: 29.3°F averageMarch: 37.7°F averageApril: 49.1°F averageMay: 59.2°F averageJune: 68.0°F averageJuly: 73.0°F averageAugust: 71.5°F averageSeptember: 63.6°F averageOctober: 52.3°F averageNovember: 41.9°F averageDecember: 32.6°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Newton, 11 miles from the campground at 605 feet, station USC00286177 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

Directions From The River The Alosa Campsites are located on the right hand (west) shore of the Delaware River approximately 2.5 miles downstream of Bushkill Access, 1.2 Miles downstream of the Rivers Bend Group Campground (left/east shore of river), and 2,000 feet downstream of Turtle Island, formerly called "Sambo Island".

Nearest townBushkill, New Jersey
Coordinates41.0834° N, 74.9763° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Hunting is not permitted in or near the campsites.
  • Only campers on legitimate multi-day river trips may stay overnight at the Alosa Campsites.

Charges and cancellations

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time the night before your stay will incur a non refundable $10 cancellation fee. Refunds will only be issued for park implemented closures.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗10.2 mi
Outdoor gearEdge of the Woods Outfitters ↗11.1 mi
RV sales & serviceTotal Recreation RV Sales & Service ↗20.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

The campsites are located approximately 2.5 miles downriver of the Bushkill Access and approximately 6 miles upriver from Smithfield Beach. No vechicles are permitted at Alosa Campsites.

Natural features

This section of the Delaware River is known for its American Shad ( Alosa sapidissima ) fisheries, which is how the campsite got its name. The campsites are located on a bench above the Delaware River underneath a grove of hardwood trees. The hardwood forest is home to wildlife, including the eastern gray squirrel, white-tailed deer, and the American black bear, if you are lucky you might even see a bald eagle.

Recreation

This part of the Delaware River is unspoiled as it travels through the rural landscape of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. A mixture of flat water and a few riffles make this section ideal for beginning paddlers and those seeking a relaxing trip. Fishing is permitted on the Delaware River during the appropriate state-specific seasons. Anglers must possess a valid PA or NJ fishing license.

Guidebooks for New Jersey

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: New Jersey
    Matt Willen, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • AMC's Best Day Hikes in New Jersey
    Priscilla Estes, 2024
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-Trails New Jersey and New York
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Alosa Campsites?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Alosa Campsites?

A $10 non refundable service fee applies for changes or cancellations.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Alosa Campsites?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Alosa Campsites?

Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time the night before your stay will incur a non refundable $10 cancellation fee.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Alosa Campsites have?

6 sites, including 6 boat-in sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Alosa Campsites?

Alosa Campsites is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Alosa Campsites?

Yes, pets are allowed at Alosa Campsites. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Alosa Campsites?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Alosa Campsites?

This part of the Delaware River is unspoiled as it travels through the rural landscape of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Alosa Campsites?

Bushkill, New Jersey. The campsites are located approximately 2.5 miles downriver of the Bushkill Access and approximately 6 miles upriver from Smithfield Beach.

Source: Getting there

What if Alosa Campsites is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Rivers Bend Group Campground (1 mi), Valley View Group Campground (2.3 mi), and Camp Gateway - Staten Island (58.6 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Alosa Campsites in?

Alosa Campsites is a Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area