JOIN US FOR A KINGSTON "POP-UP" WALK
MAY 16, 2025
Join us for a Pop-up Walk along the canal towpath and nearby areas. Each section of the canal has a unique narrative and history which will be highlighted by our seasonal trail interpreter. We invite you to come enjoy some outdoor time with us and learn a bit about the historic resources at the D&R Canal State Park. These round-trip walks will be moderately paced and last about 1 1//2 - 2 hours. Children are welcome but those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are asked to meet promptly at the designated parking areas at the start time indicated below.
Are you free for a few hours on Saturday, May 24th for a morning walk along the towpath? Then mark your calendar and plan to join our park trail interpreter for an impromptu morning walk in Kingston. We plan to introduce you to this historic town which predates the canal's 1830s construction. Hear about the surviving Millstone River powered Kingston grist mill that encouraged settlement here almost a century prior to the Revolutionary War, the local taverns established along one of the main stage coach route between Philadelphia and New York City, the 18th century stone arched bridge and the town that developed in the 19th century due to the D&R Canal's construction. We will walk the towpath and along the way parts of the canal's infrastructure will be highlighted including buildings, waste gates, culverts and locks!
Those planning to participate please meet at the Kingston parking area promptly at 9:30 AM. Bring water, dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Inclement weather will cancel this walk.
AND AS A SPECIAL INCENTIVE . . .
Have a question or need further information? Call the Kingston Office at (609) 924-5705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR OUR "POP-UP" PROGRAMMING; SIMPLY MARK YOUR CALENDAR & JOIN US!
KINGSTON "POP-UP" WALK
Local ham radio operators will have a small demonstration of Morse Code setup in front of the Kingston Lock and Telegraph station from 9am - 10:30 am to commemorate the 181st anniversary of the historic Samuel Morse/Alfred Vail telegraph conversation - the first successful inter-city telegraph message sent/received between Washington DC and Baltimore Maryland. Amateur radio operators from the local "David Sarnoff Radio Club" will be demonstrating a modernized version of Morse Code and hopefully will be chatting with stations across the country! The D&R Canal was one of the first commercial uses of the Morse Telegraph system; lines and stations were established along the waterway by 1846!
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!
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway Visitor Center To Open For 2025 Season
MARCH 21, 2025
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 2025 re-opening of the Byway Visitor Center in Griggstown on Saturday April 12. Doors will be open every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until their last weekend of this season - October 25 & 26. 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.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Bulls Island Recreation Area
MARCH 30, 2025
Join us and celebrate Earth Day at the Bulls Island Recreation Area on April 19th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. It will be a fun filled day for the entire family! Our dedicated staff will be on hand and offering a variety of FREE ACTIVITIES for everyone including:
You don't want to miss it so mark the date, April 19th and plan to bring the family to the Bulls Island Recreation Area located at Raven Rock along the Delaware River (about 3 miles north of Stockton - 2185 Daniel Bray Highway, Stockton, NJ 08559).
We can't wait to see you!
PLEASE NOTE:
To register in advance or if you have questions and/or want more information, call the Bulls Island Office at (609) 397-2949.
Supplies for our wildflower pot planting and owl pellet activities ARE LIMITED! Those interested in participating in these hands-on activities are encouraged to call in advance at the number below in order to REGISTER FOR A SPOT TO PARTICIPATE. Unregistered attendees are encouraged to attend however do bear in mind that preference will be given to those on the registration list and further participation will be on a "first come/first served" basis until supplies run out.
TRAIL AT JARVIS PLACE IN TRENTON TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR REPAIRS
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
The D&R Canal trail in Trenton will be closed to public use on weekdays from Feb. 3 - Feb. 17 from Jarvis Place to the D&R Canal State Park's Greenway trail for repairs. Please use the alternative route shown in the blue dashed lines.
The trail will be opened to the public on weekends.
BE ADVISED:
We will update this post once the access point has reopened.
Please call the Kingston Park Office, 609-924-5705 for any questions about this closure. We thank you for your patience as this repair is underway and apologize for any inconvenience.
