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.
CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORIZED TRAIL USE AT SIX MILE RUN
May 6, 2024
Please be advised, the State Park Service would like to clarify information regarding the existing/official trail network at the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site. Although several social/unofficial trails have popped up over the years, we would like to encourage park users to stay on marked/official trails as designated by the State Park Service and shown on the park map below.
As no authorized trail network has formally been established, approved, and/or is maintained in the area south of the Six Mile Run and west of the Creek Trail (Red Trail), we ask that park users avoid this area. Years of unauthorized trail use here has caused damage and erosion to the natural and historic resources at this location.
We ask our park users to set a good example for other visitors today and every day; stay on designated trails!
For more information, please call the D&R Canal State Park office at (609) 924-5705.
UNAUTHORIZED AREA NOTICE:
Six Mile Run Trails
EAST MILLSTONE BOAT DOCK CLOSED
September 26, 2024
The East Millstone boat dock on the D&R Canal is closed effective immediately as of September 26, 2024. For those paddlers wishing to put-in/take-out at East Millstone, please note that you can do so safely at the small park in East Millstone along Market Street. This is located just south of the Amwell Road bridge crossing.
BE ADVISED:
D&R CANAL STATE PARK TRAIL IS HONORED AS TRAIL OF THE MONTH
February 7, 2024
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park's multi-use trail was highlighted by the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy as their "Trail of the Month" for February 2024 and we couldn't be more honored by the recognition! Park staff was interviewed by
Monica Cardoza
along with frequent park users Gilbert Honigfeld, Barbara McKee and Steve Hagan as well as Circuit Trail project manager for the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Anya Saretzky.
The online piece extols the merits of the D&R from the serenity felt by paddlers, the historic legacy of the canal, the Circuit Trail connections, wildlife, adjacent nature trails and recreational opportunities for everyone. The recognition is a perfect way to kick-off 2024 and the D&R Canal State Park's 50th anniversary year. We thank the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy for highlighting the D&R Canal State Park! We couldn't agree more...our mulit-use trail is an amazing outdoor resource for the public!
Read the article and learn more about the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy and The Circuit Trails by clicking the links below:
New Jersey's Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
The Circuit Trails.
