Photo Galleries:

Upper Mississippi River tributaries
Missouri River & Tributaries
Ohio River Tributaries
Atlantic Rivers
Eastern Gulf of Mexico Rivers
Texas Rivers
Red River
Ozark Rivers
Utah's Green River
Other Rivers
Miscellaneous pictures

Contact Us

Environmental Issues

Links Page

About your host

Diana's Page (about our trips)

Delaware River below the "Water Gap" looking downstream from the New Jersey side 

General Description & Characteristics -- The main stem of the Delaware is the longest free-flowing river in the Northeast United States. Two nearly contiguous segments of this river have been specially designated and offer an outstanding opportunity for an extended canoe camping trip within a few hours drive of the major population centers of the northeast US. In fact, the visitor center at Delaware Water Gap is only 73 miles from New York City! We can be grateful that the Delaware is still flowing free. It was nearly dammed up in the 1970s, but thanks to the efforts of many and an accident of history, it was saved. You can read about this extraordinary story in Damming the Delaware by Richard C. Albert (see link below).

Location & Canoeable Mileage -- The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River runs 73 miles from Hancock to Port Jervis, New York. Five miles downstream from Port Jervis begins the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area, which covers 40 miles of river. The entire 118 miles or so makes for an excellent extended float trip. Put in on the West Branch of the Delaware near Hancock, just above the entry of the East Branch, at Shehawken Access Area. The final take out will be Kittatinny Access Area (Delaware Water Gap Visitor Center) on the New Jersey side just below the I-80 bridge. While you could average 20 miles per day in months of good flow, your pace will be slower in late summer as the water level is much lower. If you are doing your own shuttle, allow lots of time. The roads along the river are slow and sometimes congested as they wind up and down the hilly country of the Delaware valley.

Interesting Features -- The Delaware River flows through a dramatic valley with rocky bluffs overlooking the river in places. Steep valley walls are almost continuous on the upper river, giving way to a broader valley farther downstream. Forests dominated by sugar maple drape the hillsides, while silver maple and sycamore line the riverbanks and islands. The upper section of the river has more gradient and a few Class II rapids. These can be dangerous at high water levels. The lower section has many shoals and fun riffles, but is  less challenging. At low water levels typical of the summer months, the river runs over many shallow shoals with large exposed rocks. It is difficult to impossible to plot a clear course through these areas, particularly in the upper section. Throughout this entire run the Delaware alternates between pools and extended shoal areas. On the upper river you will also encounter man-made obstacles in the form of "eel weirs" (rock dams built in the shape of a downstream "v" to trap eels). The Delaware is the most popular float stream in the northeast US, and on summer week ends you will encounter many casual floaters in rafts, tubes, and canoes. During the week and in the off season there will be fewer of these. Almost all the floaters are day trippers. At the most popular whitewater sites (e.g. Skinner Falls) the congestion can add to the inherent hazards of running the rapids. There are roads running along the river throughout, so you will never be too far from civilization. Wildlife viewing is excellent on the Delaware. Bear, otter, and bald eagles are often spotted by floaters; deer, geese, and other river critters are abundant. A most dramatic geologic feature is the Delaware Water Gap, where the river has cut through a major ridge of the Appalachian mountains. There are many hiking opportunities on public lands in the Delaware Water Gap NRA. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Delaware River near the end of this run.

Camping -- On the upper Delaware, there are many private camps along the way. The land along the river is nearly all private, trespassing is frowned upon, and it is generally agreed that canoe campers must stay at one of these private camps. If you rent a canoe, take care where you plan your camping destination. Some camps are owned by rental agencies and do not allow customers of their competitors to camp! There is one section of public land on the Pennsylvania side just above Port Jervis where you can primitive camp by permit. In the Delaware Water Gap NRA (below Port Jervis), the National Park Service allows camping at many designated riverside sites for through canoeists. Most of these have fire grates, and some have privies, but they are not accessible by public road. These are available on a first come basis without permit.

Additional Information --

Canoeing Information	The best source of canoeing information is the book Canoeing the Delaware River
Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service	There are lots of outfitters that provide rentals and other services on the Delaware. Generally, those who serve the upper river will not provide shuttle service on the lower river and vice versa, so if you are planning to float the entire Delaware, plan on doing your own shuttle.
River Flow Data	USGS Gauges: Callicoon, NY; Barryville, NY; and Port Jervis, NY. If you have difficulty obtaining data from these links, CLICK HERE
Parks on/near the River	Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River Delaware Water Gap NRA The Appalachian Trail
Towns/Other Locales on/near the River	Port Jervis, NY
Books	Canoeing the Delaware River Voices on the River: Adventures on the Delaware Keystone Canoeing : A Guide to Canoeable Water of Eastern Pennsylvania Damming the Delaware Along the Delaware River (historical postcards)
More Pictures	Canoe Camping Photo Gallery
Environmental Issues/Organizations	Delaware Riverkeeper Network
Acknowledgments/Contributors	.
Miscellaneous	The Delaware watershed is one of the principal sources of drinking water for New York City. Here is a web page that tells about the history and management of that supply system.

Mid-Atlantic Locator Map