Delaware Canal State Park

A walk along the 60-mile towpath of the Delaware Canal is a stroll into American History. The Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19th century. Mule drawn canal boat rides and the Lock Tender's House Visitor Center are at New Hope. A walk along the towpath is a stroll into American history. Paralleling the Delaware River between Easton and Bristol, this diverse park contains an historic canal and towpath, many miles of river shoreline and eleven river islands. From riverside to farm fields to historic towns, visitors to Delaware Canal State Park will enjoy the ever-changing scenery along its corridor. For more information on the natural and historical features of Delaware Canal State Park, visit our Park Field Guide.

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Directions - Weather  - Recreation  - Environmental Education  - Calendar of Events  - Accessibility  - History  - Wildlife Watching  - Nearby Attractions  - Volunteers  - Rules and Regs  - In an Emergency  - Contact Us  - Downloadables and Maps

Park Advisories

Directions

There are numerous access points along the 60-mile length of Delaware Canal State Park. The park follows the Delaware River from Easton to Bristol, paralleled by Pennsylvania Routes 611 and 32.

A National Historic Landmark

The 60-mile Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19th century. Today, the canal retains almost all of its features as they existed during its century of commercial operation.

In the early 1800s, America was growing rapidly. Canals provided a better way of transporting natural resources to urban areas. When completed in 1832, the Delaware Canal connected with the Lehigh Navigation System at Easton and helped to develop the anthracite coal industry in the Upper Lehigh Valley. These canals provided a convenient and economical means of transporting coal to Philadelphia, New York, and the eastern seaboard.

As railroads became a more efficient means of transporting goods, it became increasingly difficult to profitably operate canals. The last paying canal boat completed its journey through the Delaware Canal on October 17, 1931.

On the same day, 40 miles of the canal were deeded to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth acquired the remaining 20 miles in 1940.

The U.S. Congress officially recognized the canal's importance to the economic development of America by establishing the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor in 1988. The canal is a Registered National Historic Landmark and its towpath is a National Recreation Trail.

Explore A Day On The Canal to learn about the way of life on the canal.

For more information, visit the Delaware Canal History pages.

The Delaware River

At 330 miles in length, the Delaware is the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi River and serves as a major migration corridor for birds and the American shad. The park maintains six public recreation areas with shoreline access to the river. Of the many islands in the river, eleven are protected as the Delaware River Islands State Park Natural Area.

The 65-mile segment of the Lower Delaware River and selected tributaries are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems. This designation recognizes free-flowing rivers with exceptional natural, recreational, historical and cultural resources.

Natural Areas

Pennsylvania state park natural areas are of unique scenic, geological or ecological value. These areas are maintained in a natural condition by allowing physical and biological processes to operate, usually without human intervention. Delaware Canal State Park has two designated state park natural areas - Nockamixon Cliffs and River Islands. Explore these natural areas.

Environmental Education and Interpretation

Delaware Canal State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.

Curriculum-based environmental education programs are available to schools and youth groups. Teacher workshops are also available. Group programs must be arranged in advance and may be scheduled by calling the park office. Programs are offered year-round. For more details information contact the park office.

The visitor center in the poplar destination of New Hope gives insight into the history of the canal, and serves as the headquarters for the Friends of Delaware Canal. While at the visitor center, take a mule drawn canal boat ride to learn about life in the canal in the 1860s.

The visitor center under development near the fish passageway at Easton will focus on the stories of the Delaware River, including natural and cultural history. Staff will be available year-round to provide educational programming.

Explore the Calendar of Events for a listing of events from today forward.

Explore Delaware Canal State Park's education and information pages for more information.

Recreational Opportunities

Trails: The 60-mile long Delaware Canal towpath runs from Easton to Bristol and is a National Recreation Trail. Once trod by mule teams pulling cargo-laden boats along the canal, the towpath is used today by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-county skiers and bird watchers.

Together, the Delaware Canal State Park and the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park have formed a series of looping trails connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey, using five bridges. By simply parking in one of several areas located along the loop trail, visitors have easy access to the canal towpaths in both states, and can ride, walk of jog a complete loop back to their car. Loop trail connection bridges are in the Pennsylvania towns of Uhlerstown, Lumberville, Center Bridge, Washington Crossing and Morrisville.

The 30-mile stretch of parallel trails with five connecting bridges allows visitors to choose among 11 different options of loop length and distance. Each loop will lead you through quaint towns, scenic river views, and wooded in-lands. A perfect extended weekend could be had in riding the loop trails by day and staying overnight at one of the many bed and breakfasts along the way.

Fishing: The Delaware River contains many species of game fish including American shad, striped bass, smallmouth bass and walleye. Shad migration starts in early spring.

The Delaware Canal also contains a variety of warmwater game fish.

For complete information on fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Canoeing: Canoeing is popular in the canal, on the Delaware River and at the Giving Pond Recreation Area.

Canoeists can launch from public access areas in PA and NJ to enjoy the water trail which includes scenic views of River Islands and Nockamixon Cliffs natural areas. Water Trail users will enjoy viewing wildlife along a major migratory route for raptors, waterfowl and songbirds.

CAUTION - The river poses natural hazards and visitors should use caution on and around the river.

For complete information on boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Web site.

Camping: Although Delaware Canal State Park has no overnight facilities, camping and cabins are available in nearby state, county and private campgrounds. For information on rental cabins contact Nockamixon State Park at 215-529-7300. For information on camping contact Bucks County Parks at 215-757-0571.

Our park educators can facilitate a guided recreational program for your group. Visit our Education and Information pages.

Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit.

Nearby Attractions

At nearby Ralph Stover State Park visitors enjoy seasonal whitewater boating and rock climbing.

For information on nearby attractions, contact Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau. www.buckscountycvb.org

In an Emergency

Contact a park employee or dial 911.
For directions to the nearest hospital, look on bulletin boards or at the park office.

For More Information Contact

Delaware Canal State Park
11 Lodi Hill Road
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972-9540
610-982-5560
Manager: Rick Dalton

E-mail: delawarecanalsp@state.pa.us
An equal opportunity employer

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations.