Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River (U.S. National Park Service)

QUICKLINKS:

A River and its History

The largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, the Delaware River runs past forests, farmlands, and villages, and it also links some of the most densely populated regions in America.

In 2000, the National Wild and Scenic River System incorporated key segments of the lower Delaware River to form this unit of the National Park System.

		Scenery The river corridor also offers spectacular autumn foliage, dramatic natural ice sculptures in the winter, and spring's natural migration of birds. Beautiful views of the river and canals are complimented by the scenery of the historic riverside towns and mills. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have designated the routes that flank the river as scenic byways. more...

Recreation on the Land

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in New Jersey and the Delaware Canal State Park in Pennsylvania offer linear recreation corridors, where walkers, joggers, and bicyclists roll along the canal paths and trails on both sides of the river. Naturalists can find serene landscapes and hikes to a variety of habitats, and birders can track the diverse local and migratory species that feed and nest along the river's bank and on its undeveloped islands.
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Historic Sites & Districts

The lower Delaware River has never been long off the nation's mind; it lies between two of the great colonial cities of the nation: New York and Philadelphia. Nationally recognized historic districts and sites line the river, with monuments to the heritage and early industry of a new and growing nation. At Washington Crossing, you, too, can "cross the Delaware." Not to do battle, but to see the sites on both sides of the river.

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A wide stream with a low mountain inthe background

Recreation on the Water

The lower Delaware River and its tributaries are dotted with watercraft from inner tubes to canoes and kayaks to pontoons, speed boats, and personal water craft. Visitors (with licenses) can fish for striped bass, shad, and game fish like walleye pike and muskellunge.

The park includes three Pennsylvania tributaries, the Paunacussing, Tinicum and Tohickon Creeks.
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Write to

NPS Wild & Scenic Rivers
200 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

E-mail Us

Phone

Information
(215) 597-1655

Fax

(215) 597-5747

Climate

Link to non-commercial forecasts from the National Weather Service and to river conditions by selecting "more"

The park is a narrow corridor about 30 miles long from north to south:
Easton PA is at the north end of the park.
Washington Crossing PA is at the south end of the park.
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