ROCKINGHAM STATE HISTORIC SITE TO OFFER OUTDOOR TOURS
March 24, 2026
Rockingham State Historic Site, General George Washington's final war time headquarters, is offering outdoor tours (as weather conditions allow) on the upcoming dates below.
Step back in time to 1783 and experience the life of General George Washington and Lady Washington while they resided at Rockingham between August 23, 1783 to November 10, 1783.
This historic house will soon undergo a stabilization construction project and indoor tours are on hold while the staff prepares for this upcoming undertaking. In the mean time we invite you to join us on the grounds and in the barn on the dates and at the times listed above for an outdoor talk about the site, its role during the Revolutionary War and the family that resided here.
Questions? Call the Rockingham State Historic Site at (609) 683-7132 or the D&R Canal State Park Office at (609) 924-5705.
Learn more about this significant historic site:
Rockingham State Historic Site: https://www.rockingham.net.
Reservations are not required; simply mark one of the days/times below on your calendar and plan to come by.
Friday, March 27, 2026
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tours will be offered at:
11:30pm
1:30pm.
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway Visitor Center To Open For 2026 Season
MARCH 10, 2026
The Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition, sponsor of the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway, and the D&R Canal State Park are happy to announce the 2026 re-opening of the Byway Visitor Center in Griggstown on Saturday April 11. Doors will be open every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until their last weekend of this season - October 24 & 25. Visitors can stop by between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to speak with our docents and learn about the canal and byway. The Visitor Center is located in the original Griggstown bridge tender’s house where its kitchen is interpreted and furnished for the period 1840-1860. Outside a lovely garden contains period medicinal plantings and favorite table vegetables. The Visitor Center also distributes maps, brochures, and pamphlets of trails, historical sites, and recreational opportunities around and about the Byway. Do make sure to stop by when visiting the Griggstown area to learn about the Millstone Valley and everything it has to offer and experience. Our volunteers look forward to seeing you!
The Byway is a 27-mile loop predominantly along the D&R Canal from East Millstone to Kingston and along the Millstone River from Kingston to Rocky Hill and into Millstone Borough. Please visit us and find us on the web: www.millstonevalley.org.
THE 2025-26 HUNTING SEASON AT SIX MILE RUN: THINGS TO KNOW
JULY 5, 2025:
New Jersey State Park issued permits are available for deer bow hunters to access over 2,000 acres of land within Six Mile Run Reservoir Site. There are also a limited number of firearm permits available for a limited area within the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site. Please carefully read the instructions below to apply for either a bow or firearm permit.
BE ADVISED: Hunters MUST APPLY FOR A PARK PERMIT TO HUNT ANYWHERE WITHIN SIX MILE RUN. Download/Print the deer hunting map for Six Mile Run by clicking the link below:
SIX MILE RUN RESERVOIR SITE DEER HUNTING MAP - ZONE 14
PLEASE NOTE:
1. One stand/blind permitted per hunter;
D&R Canal State Park
Click the link to download/print the bow season application:
BOW HUNTER APPLICANT AGREEMENT SHEET
FIREARM SEASON: A total of 15 permits will be issued for the 2023/2024 season by a RANDOM lottery. To be considered for the lottery please submit your name with your email and/or phone to Stephanie Vannais (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 609-924-5705) by September 30, 2025. If your name is selected the park will notify you and provide you with a firearm application to be completed.
Please direct any questions to Stephanie Vannais at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the park office at (609) 924-5705.
2. Parking Permit only needs to be displayed in Hunter Only Lots (see a map for details);
3. Please review the map as permissible hunting areas have changed;
4. Stands are prohibited from being placed directly on Six Mile Run Reservoir property lines or in the view-shed of residents residing directly adjacent to Six Mile Run Reservoir Site.
145 Mapleton Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
BIRDS OF PREY AT THE MAPLETON PRESERVE
NOVEMBER 1, 2025
Join the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (FPNL) for an educational afternoon focused on Birds of Prey. Learn about hawks, owls, and falcons up close in this family-friendly event featuring an engaging, hour-long talk on raptors and the ancient art of falconry.
This program is FREE and open to the public however REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
All are welcome, weather permitting.
(WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY/REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED).
PLEASE NOTE:
You will get an update on the day of the event, as the birds will not fly in excessive heat or rain.
Parking is at 145 Mapleton Rd, Kingston, NJ. Attendees will walk about 1/3 mile to the talk site in the field across the street. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket, but please leave your pup at home!
WEATHER UPDATE:
We are watching the weather very carefully. The birds will not fly in significant wind or rain and the event is outside, as we do not have a covered venue to work with. However, the current report calls for some rain- free periods on Sunday, the rain predicted is light (0.01 Inches per hour), and we know from experience that it could get better (or worse). Only time will tell.
The falconer wants to wait until very early Sunday to make the decision, as if we have to cancel the event, we will not be able to reschedule until spring of next year (2026). NJ weather is famously changeable, and we don't want to cancel unless we have to.
If you have registered, please watch for an email from us around 10:00 AM on Sunday. We will also post on our website (https://fpnl.org) once we have certainty - one way or another. Thanks so much for your interest in the program - the response has been great, and we hope that we will be able to proceed with the program as planned.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
SPECIAL MEMBER "RENEWAL" POST PROGRAM EXPERIENCE:
Questions? Contact Karen Linder either at (609) 683-0483 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
WHERE: Mapleton Preserve - 145 Mapleton Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 (Click for location)
DATE: Sunday, November 9, 2025
TIME: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
COST: FREE; REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
Masters of the Skies (main program): 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Post-show experience: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
PLEASE NOTE: Post-Show Falconry Experience ticket holders only; ticket holders will be asked to come forward after the main program ends.
French native Gregory Martel is a master falconer who has worked with almost 50 raptors in the past 12 years. He trains and flies hawks, falcons and owls for a variety of purposes, including hunting, falconry abatement (bird control) and education. In 2014, he created Masters of the Skies to educate the general public about birds of prey and falconry.
As an incentive for renewing your membership or joining the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (FPNL) for 2026, eight "current" members will have the rare opportunity to "fly" an owl under Gregory's guidance, following the main program!
So renew your membership with FPNL now (see link below) or join/renew at the event for a chance to be one of eight people selected for this special "Hands On" falconry opportunity.
If you are a member (or would like to be) and want to be considered for this opportunity, please message This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. SIGNING AN ADDITIONAL WAIVER WILL BE REQUIRED.
THE 2025 SUMMER SEASON AT D&R CANAL STATE PARK: THINGS TO KNOW
MAY 8, 2025:
The summer season is here at D&R Canal State Park. The following information will serve as reminders to help keep everyone safe and to ensure that the have an enjoyable experience.
THINGS TO DO
Picnicking and grilling is permitted in designated picnic areas only;
The canal towpath is an ideal place to walk, bike or run;
Canoes and kayaks are allowed along the entire length of the canal;
Keep it clean and green! Take your trash home with you – trash cans are not provided.
COMMERCIAL TUBING RENTALS
River tubing in the Delaware River is one of the most popular activities at D&R Canal State Park.
Big Bear Gear is the only tubing company licensed to operate in the state park.
For more information on rentals and pricing visit Big Bear Gear’s website: https://bigbeargearnj.com/pages/delaware-river-tubing.
BRING YOUR OWN RIVER TUBE
Members of the public are welcome to bring their own tubes, park their cars and tube on their own. The public are permitted to launch tubes from the RIVERVIEW PARKING LOT ONLY (parking is VERY LIMITED at this location; planned drop-off is recommended). Exit the river at the stairs located at the Point Pleasant parking lot. Reference the D&R Canal State Park map below for lot location.
D&R Canal State Park Map
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
D&R Canal State Park Brochure
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Tubing concession customer-only parking is authorized at the Cooley/Big Bear Gear lot through the summer season (May - October)
Check the current river height.
Know the river; Be prepared!
