Delaware Canal State Park

A walk along the 60-mile-long towpath of Delaware Canal State Park is a stroll into American history.

Paralleling the Delaware River between Easton and Bristol, this diverse park contains:

An historic canal and towpath
A 90-acre pond
Many miles of river shoreline
11 river islands including the Morgan Hill group (3), Loors, Whippoorwill, Old Sow, Raubs, Lynn/Frog/Rock group, and Hendricks
From riverside to farm fields to historic towns, visitors to Delaware Canal State Park enjoy the ever-changing scenery along its corridor.

Hiking at Delaware Canal State Park

60 miles of trails

A trail circles the Giving Pond.

The 60-mile-long Delaware Canal towpath runs from Easton to Bristol and is a National Recreation Trail.

Once trod by mule teams pulling boats along the canal, the towpath is used today by:

Walkers
Joggers
Bicyclists
Cross-country skiers
Bird watchers

Picnicking at Delaware Canal State Park

Picnic tables are available at many access areas and at the Giving Pond Recreation Area.

Boating at Delaware Canal State Park

Motorboating
Unlimited horsepower motors are permitted on the Delaware River. Many boat launches are along the river.

Electric motors are permitted on the 90-acre Giving Pond.

Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking and canoeing are popular in the canal, on the Delaware River, and at the Giving Pond Recreation Area.

Nonmotorized craft can launch from public access areas in Pa. and N.J. to enjoy the water trail which includes scenic views of River Islands and Nockamixon Cliffs natural areas.

Water trail users enjoy viewing wildlife along a major migratory route for raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds.

Wildlife Watching at Delaware Canal State Park

With its combination of shallow waterways, river islands, green spaces, and cliff faces, Delaware Canal State Park offers an abundance of habitats for birds and other wildlife.

Birding
At least 154 bird species call the Delaware Canal home.

Birds often sighted along the canal include:

Bald eagles
Double-crested cormorants
Heron
Osprey
Various songbirds
The Bird ID trail at the Giving Pond Recreation Area offers beginning birders an opportunity to identify some of our most common bird species.

Natural Lands Trust and Bucks County Audubon Society also participate in birding programs at Delaware Canal State Park.

Fishing at Delaware Canal State Park

The Delaware River contains many species of game fish, including:

American shad
Smallmouth bass
Striped bass
Walleye
Shad migration starts in early spring.

The Delaware Canal and the 90-acre Giving Pond also contain a variety of warmwater game fish.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.

Hunting at Delaware Canal State Park

Hunting in Delaware Canal State Park is restricted to archery deer hunting only in appropriate seasons in designated areas. All other types of hunting and trapping are prohibited.

The Giving Pond Recreation Area has 150 acres within Wildlife Management Unit 5C. The SR 532 tract of park property across from Washington Crossing Historical Park has 28 acres in Wildlife Management Unit 5D.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas.

Biking at Delaware Canal State Park

60 miles of 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 boats along the canal, the towpath is used today by:

Walkers
Joggers
Bicyclists
Cross-country skiers
Bird watchers
Across the Delaware River, the 70-mile-long Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park is one of the most popular recreation corridors for canoeing, jogging, hiking, bicycling, fishing, and horseback riding. The canal and park are part of the National Recreation Trail System.

Together, Delaware Canal State Park and D&R State Park form a series of looping trails connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey via five bridges. Loop trail connection bridges are in the Pennsylvania towns of:

Uhlerstown
Lumberville
Center Bridge
Washington Crossing
Morrisville
The 30-mile stretch of parallel trails allows visitors to choose among 11 different options of length and distance. Each loop leads visitors through quaint towns, scenic river views, and wooded forests.

By 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, or jog a complete loop back to their car.

A perfect extended weekend could include riding the trails by day and staying overnight at one of the many bed and breakfasts along the way.

Cross-Country Skiing at Delaware Canal State Park

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:

Bicyclists
Bird watchers
Cross-country skiers
Joggers
Walkers