Multi-use level paths along a canal that are great for biking and easy hiking.
These “towpaths” were once used for mules to tow barges along the canal but are now used for hiking, biking, and kayaking.
There are sections in New Jersey (D&R) and across the Delaware river in Pennsylvania (D&L).
The D&L can be used to create loops with the D&R on the N.J. side. A popular crossing point is Lambertville, N.J. to New Hope, P.A.
Current Updates:
10/2023 OPEN: Bridge at Prallsville Mills has been repaired from Tropical Storm Ida damage in 2021. Trail is open from Bull’s Island to Stockton. [Thanks Joe S. for the update.]
10/26/23 – D&L on the Pennsylvania side: Ongoing repairs and closures, with canal water level reduction in some areas – check the D&L site’s Interactive Map for current status of each section.
7/2023 OPENED – Main canal towpath: At the far northern end, Landing Lane spillway repairs are complete. In 2022 new gravel was put down from Landing Lane in New Brunswick south through Rocky Hill and is a super nice ride (photo below; this fixed damage from Tropical Storm Ida in Sept 2021).
6/2023; OPEN – Feeder canal towpath, north of Lambertville, NJ: The bridge over Alexauken Creek has been repaired:
D&R Trail / New Jersey:
Part of Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and contains two sections:
Main Canal: New Brunswick to Trenton
Feeder Canal: Trenton to Frenchtown
Miles: 70
- D&R Canal State Park – NJ State Park site, maps, brochures, trail alerts.
- Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park on Facebook.
- D&R Canal area map – Main + feeder canal map, mile chart.
- dandrcanal.com – D&R Canal Watch site with maps, closures, interactive parking map, distance info.
- D&R Canal Towpath Ride – Feeder canal trail brochure and map.
- Canal Society – History of the D&R, with lots of old photos.
Restrooms, Main Canal – These are portable toilets unless noted. Portables can be seasonal or randomly disappear and reappear. There are likely more locations.
- Colonial Park – actual restroom; cross the bridge and veer left into the park
- Blackwells Mills lot – NOT there (6/18/23) but there should be one in the Six Mile Run lot across the road.
- Griggstown Causeway intersection – YES (6/18/23)
- Rocky Hill lot – YES (6/18/23)
- Kingston lot – YES (6/19/22)
Restrooms, Feeder Canal –
- Washington Crossing – Restroom building; unsure of open times.
- Bulls Island – Restroom building; unsure of open times. Portable toilets in the lot.
D&L Trail / Pennsylvania:
The portion of the D&L that is across the Delaware River from the D&R Trail is within Delaware Canal State Park in Pennsylvania.
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L) continues further than the Delaware Canal State Park:
Delaware Canal State Park: Easton to Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor: Wilkes Barre area to Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Miles: 165
- Delaware Canal State Park – PA – Maps, closures, info.
- delawareandlehigh.org – Interactive Map with trail condition status.
- Friends of the Delaware Canal – Easton to Bristol; trail updates, maps, history.
Our two cents:
Super enjoyable easy biking/hiking on a level dirt/gravel towpath along a canal.
The towpath varies from lots of shade to sunny stretches. There are street crossings, more frequent in some areas than others.
Congestion varies by area as well, and you may find yourself passing or dodging more people than you like. When biking, ring your bell or call out “on your left!” when passing walkers.
The towpath often runs along small towns, allowing for a nice day out with stops for lunch, snacks, coffee, or ice cream. Don’t forget to get ice cream.
Route info with photos and videos:
D&R – from Blackwells Mills lot [Main Canal – NJ]:
Small gravel lot.
- D&R Canal – Blackwells Mills to Demott Lane – Blackwells Mills north to almost Demott Lane.
D&R – from Rocky Hill lot [Main Canal – NJ]:
Large dirt/gravel lot and a smaller one across the road.
- D&R Canal – Rocky Hill to 10 Mile Lock – Rocky Hill north to just past 10 Mile Lock
- D&R Canal – Rocky Hill South to Rt. 95 (2013) – South, through Princeton.
- D&R Canal – Rocky Hill South to Rt. 95 (2012) – South, through Princeton.
- D&R Canal – Rocky Hill North to Weston Causeway – North to Weston Causeway at Weston Canal Rd and back.
- D&R Canal – Rocky Hill North to Amwell Road – North to Amwell Road and back.
D&R – from Lambertville / Mt. Hope lot [Feeder Canal – NJ]:
- D&R Canal – Lambertville towards Frenchtown – North from Lambertville to Frenchtown, and back.
- D&R Canal – Lambertville to Frenchtown – North from Lambertville to Frenchtown, NJ, crossing over to Pennsylvania and returning via the D&L through New Hope.
D&R – from Washington Crossing lot [Feeder Canal (NJ) with D&L (PA)]:
This lot is large but still fills up. Bathroom building is at one end of the lot.
- D&R Canal – Washington Crossing to Stockton – Quiet, pretty canal towpath on the PA side through New Hope then back to Washington Crossing, NJ.
- D&R Canal – Washington Crossing to Stockton – 2010 – Variation, from Washington Crossing State Park, north through Lambertville, crossing Stockton bridge.
- D&R Canal – Washington Crossing to Trenton – South from Washington Crossing to Trenton, over the Calhoun Bridge, then north from Morrisville, PA.
D&L – (PA):
- D&L Canal Biking: Lock 19 to Lock 22 – Biking the D&L Canal from Lock 19 in Lodi to Lock 22 at the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area.
- D&L Canal – Frenchtown to Riegelsville, PA – Scenic, easy biking and a covered bridge. Starts in N.J. at Frenchtown but most of the route is on the D&L.
- Lehigh Gorge Trail – Biking a 25-mile stretch that runs above the Lehigh River from Jim Thorpe to White Haven, P.A. Rentals available.
Old-Timey Fun Delaware and Raritan Canal Historic Map – Circa 1976 but based on an 1866 geologic map. Also contains info about the canal’s creation. Via Rutgers Special Collection.