Canal

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park [NJ]

Historic: 
Complete: 
Yes
Along the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath - Photo credit: Daniela Wagstaff
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

A linear park consisting of 64 miles of flat trail and towpath along an historic canal, with many 19th century structures still standing.

Hiking
Mountain biking
Bridle path
X-C skiing
Accessible
Dogs on leash
64 miles
6595 acres
Lat/Lon: 
40.368479, -74.615523
Princeton [main office]
Mercer
NJ
Cluster/Park: 
Park

The Delaware and Raritan Canal was built in the early 19th century as an effective means of transportation between Philadelphia and New York, facilitating connections to the rest of world.  Once completed, it became one of America's busiest navigational canals.  In 1871, its busiest year, total tonnage shipped surpassed the longer and more famous Erie Canal.

The park is in the shape of a lazy "V," as the feeder canal parallels the Delaware River [for about 30 miles] and then the main canal extends from Trenton to New Brunswick [for 34 miles]. Unfortunately there is a gap where the canal crosses US 1 outside Trenton.

  • The entire length, both main and feeder trails, are ADA accessible.  Most of the pathway is surfaced with light gravel; very little is paved, however. 
  • A four-mile loop hike is possible between Kingston and Rocky Hill by following the towpath in one direction and an abandoned rail bed in the other direction.
  • Loop hikes are also possible along the feeder canal by crossing over the Delaware River to Delaware Canal State Park in Pennsylvania.
  • Public transportation is available.  You can take the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line to the Bound Brook station, from where the canal (in South Bound Brook) is a half-mile walk.  From the NJ Transit Princeton station (take the Northeast Corridor Line to Princeton Junction and transfer to the one-car "dinky" for the ride to Princeton), the canal is about one mile away.  The distance from Bound Brook to Princeton is 20 miles, which can be covered in a (long) day, with both ends accessible by train.
  • Click for a set of maps, including a mileage table and distance charts.   Use the Web Map link on this site for a map of the canal.
Fees: 
None
Last Update: 
02/24/2017
Modified By: 
Maureen; Phil McLewin
Landowner: 
NJ DEP
Manager: 
NJ DEP

Delaware Canal State Park [PA]

Historic: 
Complete: 
Yes
Along the Delaware Canal - Photo by Daniel Chazin
Lock 12 of the Delaware Canal - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

The canal towpath closely parallels the Delaware River and passes many historic homes. Six bridges over the Delaware River make loop hikes possible along canals on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sides.

Hiking
Mountain biking
X-C skiing
Dogs on leash
60 miles
Lat/Lon: 
40.547224, -75.082754
Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County
Mercer
PA
Cluster/Park: 
Park

Delaware Canal State Park

The 60-mile-long Delaware Canal towpath extends from Easton to Bristol, Pennsylvania, and has been designated a National Recreation Trail.  Once trod by mule teams pulling cargo boats along the canal, the towpath today is used by hikers, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and birders.

The Delaware Canal towpath in Pennsylvania parallels the feeder canal of the Delaware and Raritan Canal for 30 miles.  The two trails, which are separated only by the Delaware River, are linked by six bridges.  Consult the park's web page in Contact Information for advisories concerning the closure of hiking areas and trails.  

Use the Web Map link on this page for a selection of trail maps provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  

There are numerous access points from Pennsylvania Routes 32 and 611.

Fees: 
None
Last Update: 
06/15/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin, Daniel Chazin; Phil McLewin

Six Mile Run Reservoir Site

Historic: 
Complete: 
Yes
NYNJTC maintained: 
0

Part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in Somerset County; a hidden recreational resource for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Hiking
Mountain biking
Bridle path
Dogs on leash
14 miles
3037 acres
Lat/Lon: 
40.4715514, -74.5769688
Franklin Township
Somerset
NJ
Cluster/Park: 
Park

The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site is one of several "points of interest" along the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. According to the park's website, it is Central New Jersey's "most hidden recreational resource" for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The 3,000 acre reservoir site, rich in cultural and historic significance, is also a valuable oasis of wetlands, forests, farmlands and old fields.

But do not expect to see a reservoir.

Four multi-use trails pass through forests, pines, open fields and along the Six Mile Run River in what is essentially a linear park.  Trails range from the 1.6-mile Ceder Trail (W) to  the 4.6-mile Creek Trail and 4.9-mile Blackwells Triail (B).  The 2.4-mile Twisty Trail (O) is open to hikers but seems designed more for bikers. Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map.

 

The Site's general location is east of Route 206 north of Princeton and south of Somerset.

  • Canal Road parking lot -- Blackwoods Trail (B) – GPS Coordinates: 40.474414, -74.570898
  • Jacques Lane lot -- Creek Trail (R) – GPS Coordinates: 40.466811, -74.559982
  • Route 27 trailhead – Creek Trail (R) – GPS Coordinates: 40.456364, -74.514197

 

Fees: 
None
Last Update: 
03/17/2017
Modified By: 
Phil McLewin