D&R Canal Watch Programs
highlighted Canal Watch Programs/Events
2nd ANNUAL D&R CANAL KAYAK & CANOE RACE
Please join us for this 2nd Annual paddle race at the D&R Canal State Park! Proceeds go to the Canal Watch in support of projects in the park. You can choose from 8-mile or 1-mile race distances. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboats are welcome. Race begins and ends at the Turning Basin Park in Princeton, NJ.
Mandatory pre-registration is required. Support the D&R Canal Watch and the park - SIGN UP AND PARTICIATE!
Location: Princeton Turning Basin (at Turning Basin Park in Princeton)
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Fee: $35.00
D&R Canal State Park Programs
The following programs are run by the D&R Canal State Park . Please note that our programs begin at varied times and locations which are included in the descriptions below.
Participates will be required to register via the Eventbrite link below each listing (name, contact phone number, email and number of attendees will be required).
Please look through the upcoming walk descriptions, dates, times and locations offered below.
All walks are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, insufficient interest or other unforeseen circumstances. Registered participants will be contacted if a program is to be canceled. A MINIMUM OF 4 REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS are needed to avoid program cancellation due to lack of interest. Call the park office at (609) 924-5705, or the contact person noted, if in doubt about a program's cancellation.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTES:
Also note that our walks progress at a consistent pace of about 2.5 miles an hour. Please keep this in mind when registering for any of our walks listed below.
Thank you for your cooperation!
BE ADVISED:
Due to the popularity of our walks, we ask REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS to either CANCEL THEIR TICKET or
NOTIFY US VIA EMAIL 24 HOURS BEFORE THE DAY & TIME OF THE PROGRAM if their plans have changed and can no longer attend. This is a courtesy to those on the wait list and allows us the opportunity to release a ticket to another potential attendee.
Two "no-shows" without prior cancellation notification will generate a "flag" for that registrant resulting in the potential inability to attend future walks this season.
If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the organizer, its employees, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability. Your attendance on a walk signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. By signing up for our walks, programs or events you understand that you are attending at your own risk.
2024 After Work Evening Walks: Join us to decompress after a long day of work!
Our 2024 SPRING and SUMMER programs are being scheduled now; check back for updates! Make sure to register to secure your spot (20 participants maximum per walk)!
Our popular After Work Evening Walks are a series of spring into summer leisurely after work ambles along the canal towpath and nearby areas. Each section of the canal has a unique character and history; come enjoy some outdoor time and learn a bit about the historic and natural resources of each location from our our seasonal trail interpreter. These easy mid-week walks will last about 90 to 120 minutes and progress at a consistent pace. All walks will return to the original meeting location (as indicated in each description below). After Work Walkers will meet at the parking areas listed for each of the programs promptly at 5:00 PM.
If there are any questions or concerns please contact the D&R Canal State Park Office at (609) 924-5705 (Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 -4:00) or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CLICK HERE to view our After Work Evening Walks Collection on Eventbrite and open those walks you are interested in attending. Click the "REMIND ME" button to be automatically notified when registration opens up for that program.
Thur., Apr. 18
Lower Ferry Road To Cadwalader Park - 3.0 Miles
Join our trail interpreter for this walk along the D&R's feeder canal from Ewing Township into the city of Trenton passing aqueducts and open acres of recreational and corporate campuses along the way. The group will meet at Lower Ferry Road in Ewing Township and head south to Trenton's Cadwalader Park which was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead. The group will pass through the historic Trenton neighborhood of Glen Afton which is dotted with unique architectural styles. Registered participants will meet and park at Lower Ferry Road across from the Trenton Golf Club promptly at 5:00 PM. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Thurs., Apr. 25
Turning Basin Park to Millstone Aqueduct – 3.2 Miles
Join our trail interpreter and discover the bustling canal community that once occupied the area around Turning Basin Park at Alexander Road in Princeton. See the now inoperable turning bridge mechanism for the Dinky railroad spur line into Princeton and hear about the connections between the D&R Canal the small village of Aqueduct and Carnegie Lake. Registered participants will meet at the Turning Basin Parking Lot at 438 Alexander Road in Princeton promptly at 5:00pm.
Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Thur., May 2
Lower Ferry Road to Upper Ferry Road - 2.5 Miles
Join our trail interpreter for this walk in Ewing Township that will introduce participants to some of the most tranquil areas along the feeder canal. With the construction and opening of the canal in the 1830s, a small village emerged here that was the center of this Wilburtha neighborhood. Registered participants will meet promptly at 5:00 pm at Lower Ferry Road; Parking is across the road from the Trenton Country Club golf course.
Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Thur., May 16
Mapleton Preserve To Lake Carnegie (Kingston) - 3.0 Miles
Join our trail interpreter for a leisurely walk around the former Princeton Nursery trails/grounds then to the D&R Canal, Kingston Canal House, 18th Century stone-arched bridge, 19th century mill and on to Lake Carnegie. The group will return along the canal towpath and connected trails. Learn about this area's historic and natural resources and the former nursery property's current relationship to the D&R Canal State Park. D&R Canal State Park. Registered participants will meet at the D&R Canal State Park's Kingston Office parking lot located at 145 Mapleton Road promptly at 5:00 pm.
Click here for map.
This program is canceled due to inclement weather.
Thurs., June 27
Scudder Falls to West Upper Ferry - 2.5 Miles
Join our trail interpreter at 5:00 pm for a leisurely walk beginning at the Scudders Falls parking lot off Route 29 that will take you south along the towpath to West Upper Ferry Road. Join us and learn about how local whitewater kayaking at Scudder Falls is tied to iron mills in Trenton. We will also introduce you to the 1740’s landowner, Richard Betts Scudder and explain the current shared Delaware River overpass and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Authority’s role. Additionally learn the history of the Villa Victoria site and of course, hear information about the D&R along the way. Put on your hiking shoes, dress for the weather, bring water to stay hydrated and come enjoy this evening walk with us. Registered participants will meet at the D&R Canal State Park's Scudders Falls parking lot located in Ewing Township. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Thurs., Aug. 15
Washington Crossing State Park to Titusville Loop - 2.5 Miles
Join our trail interpreter at 5:00 pm for a leisurely walk beginning at Washington Crossing State Park's riverfront parking lot that will take you north along the towpath into Titusville. Come unwind at the end of a busy work day to hear about the unique relationship between the canal and this riverside hamlet. Titusville is an excellent example of a small village that grew and thrived due to the D&R Canal. This picturesque riverside hamlet feels like a beautifully preserved "time capsule" with its many lovingly restored historic homes. Join us and discover this historic town, walk the length of the original River Road that pre-dates Route 29, hear about what is no longer there, and enjoy views of Washington Crossing State Park on this towpath and sidewalk stroll. Put on your hiking shoes, dress for the weather, bring water to stay hydrated and come enjoy this evening walk with us. Registered participants will meet at the northern end of the Washington Crossing State Park’s riverfront parking area, near the towpath ramp, at 5:00 PM. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Thurs., Sept. 26
Weston Causeway to the Confluence - 3 Miles
Join our trail interpreter at 4:30 pm at the Weston Causeway in Somerset for a leisurely walk to the confluence of the Millstone and Raritan rivers. While walking along the D&R towpath, the group will learn about region’s connection to the Revolutionary War including the Battle of Millstone at the Van Neste Mill, the early implementation of the canal’s “modern communication” system and the formation and evolution of the Pillar of Fire religious community at Zarephath. The group will return after visiting 10 Mile Lock and the confluence of the Millstone and the Raritan rivers. Put on your hiking shoes, dress for the weather, bring water to stay hydrated and come enjoy this evening walk with us. Registered participants will meet at the D&R Canal State Park's parking lot located at the Weston Causeway in Somerset. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
2024 Weekend Walkers: Plan for a few leisurely weekend morning walks with us! (20 participants maximum per walk)
Our 2024 SPRING and SUMMER programs are being scheduled now; check back for updates!
Join us for our “Weekend Walkers” series of modest hikes along the canal towpath and nearby areas. Each section of the canal has a unique character 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 and natural resources of each location listed below. These weekend walks will be moderately paced - at about 2.5 miles/hour - and generally range from 3 to 5.5 miles. These longer walks will take about 3 - 3.5 hours, progress at a consistent pace and return to the original meeting place. Children are welcome but those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Weekend Walkers will meet promptly at the designated parking areas at 9:30 AM.
If there are any questions or concerns please contact the D&R Canal State Park Office at (609) 924-5705 (Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 -4:00) or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CLICK HERE to view our Weekend Walkers Collection on Eventbrite and open those walks you are interested in attending. Click the "REMIND ME" button to be automatically notified when registration opens up for that program.
Saturday, June 1
Bulls Island's Trail Network – 2.1 Miles
Join our trail interpreter and come explore several trails in one morning! We will begin on the Bulls Island’s "Inlet Trail" which offers both towpath and Delaware River views. Here you'll see where the canal’s “feeder” begins the 22-mile trip south to Trenton. After completing the Inlet Trail loop, we will stop at the Visitor’s Center to view the historic photos on display. The group will then proceed with a walk through the "Natural Trail" and then head to the Roebling Pedestrian Bridge to take in the view of the Delaware River (Click here for Bulls Island Trail Map). Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and join us for this enjoyable 2 mile walk. Registered participants will meet at the Bulls Island parking lot at 9:30 AM.
Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Sat., August 24
Kingston to Rocky Hill with a Stop at Rockingham – 4.2 Miles
Join our trail interpreter for a roundtrip morning walk from Kingston Lock to Rocky Hill with a short visit to the grounds of historic Rockingham! In addition to learning about the D&R Canal registered participants will see two historic homes along the way - The Kingston Canal House and 18th century Rockingham - General George Washington's last wartime headquarters. The group will begin this walk along the canal’s bermside path with a side hike up to Rockingham where they will be met by the site historian for a brief introduction to the property and its significance. From there attendees will proceed on to Rocky Hill and then back towards Kingston on the canal towpath. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and join us for this 4.5 mile round trip walk. Registered participants will meet at the Kingston Canal House promptly at 9:30 am.
Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Sat., Oct. 5
Port Mercer to Princeton Battlefield – 4 Miles
Join our trail interpreter and the historian at Princeton Battlefield State Park for an informative 4-mile walk (round-trip) from the historic bridge tender's house at Port Mercer to the site where General Washington claimed his first field victory over the British troops. Journey with us from the 19th century canal era back to the 18th century Revolutionary War period where we will walk in the footsteps of the weary Continental Army as they made their way into Princeton after their two battles at Trenton. It was at the Thomas Clarke farm just outside of town where they unexpectedly met up with the British troops and engaged in battle. Join us and hear about their trek towards Princeton and the battle fought and won at the Thomas Clarke farm. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and join us for this 4-mile round-trip walk. Registered participants will meet at at the Port Mercer Canal House parking lot promptly at 9:30 am. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Sat., Oct. 12
Griggstown’s Infrastructure Sites – 2 Miles With An Optional 1.3 Miles Addition
Join our trail interpreter on Somerset County's "Journey to the Past" weekend to visit the historic bridge tender's house at Griggstown, learn about this small village and see several distinct aspects of canal infrastructure. This walk will be taken in two parts; first, we’ll see and discuss the "barracks” and the re-purposed bridge tender’s house now the Visitor Center for the Millstone Valley Scenic Byway, then the group will proceed to the spillway where it’s functional role, important to this day, will be explained. The first part of the walk will conclude with a stop at the bridge tender's station for a total of 2 miles. For those who wish to continue, the group will proceed to the Griggstown lock and lock tender’s house for an additional 1.3 miles. Registered participants will meet at at the Griggstown Causeway Parking Lot. Click here for map.
THIS PROGRAM IS CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS.
Sat., Nov. 16
Fireman’s Eddy to Belle Mountain via the Restored Meadows - 2.5 miles
Join our trail interpreter for a brisk autumn morning walk to learn about this area’s historic quarries and farm communities while walking along the NJ Sourland’s border. The group will first walk the trails through the expansive grasslands which were restored through the efforts of several partner agencies and organizations before joining up with the D&R's feeder path along the canal at the former Valley Road farm bridge. The group will complete this loop walk by heading back along the canal's multi-use trail. Registered participants will park at the Fireman’s Eddy lot promptly at 9:30 am (follow the canal bridge road into the wooded area). Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
2024 Lunchtime “Walk & Talks”: Join us for a leisurely lunchtime walk! (20 participants maximum per walk)
Our 2024 SPRING and SUMMER programs are being scheduled now; check back for updates!
Join our trail interpreter for a lunch time walk. These are FREE lunch time outings along the canal towpath and nearby areas. These leisurely walks located at various places within the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park will last about 90 to 120 minutes and progress at a consistent pace. All walks will return to the original meeting location (as indicated in each description below). Lunchtime "Walk and Talk"registrants will meet at the parking areas listed for each of the programs promptly at the scheduled meeting time. For those interested, bring a bag lunch which will be eaten as a group after the walk. Bring your own portable chair, if desired.
If there are any questions or concerns please contact the D&R Canal State Park Office at (609) 924-5705 (Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 -4:00) or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Thursday, June 13
Smell the Roses at Colonial Park Gardens and Walk to East Millstone - 2.0 Miles
The roses are in bloom! Come join our trail interpreter at lunch time, bring a bag lunch and plan to take time to smell the roses! Enjoy these beautiful early summer blossoms with us and then afterward we will walk the D&R towpath to East Millstone to see the bridge tender's house and station. Upon returning to the Colonial Park Gardens, we’ll pass through the area’s outstanding arboretum if time allows. Those who brought a bagged lunch can join us to gather for a post-walk picnic meal and maybe a round of bocce ball! This will be a leisurely mid-afternoon outdoor program, so plan to be with us a few hours. This lunch hour “walk and talk” will begin at Colonial Park in Somerset. This walk begins at Colonial Park in Somerset. Registered participants will meet at Colonial Park Garden’s Parking Lot F, near the Lilac Garden at 10:30 AM. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
Wed., Oct. 30
Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead and Lambertville Loop - 3 Miles
Join our trail interpreter for a leisurely stroll beginning from the D&R parking lot located next to the Holcombe Jimison Farmstead Museum north of Lambertville. The group will head south along the canal's riverside trail (the former Bel-Del RR line) into Lambertville. This walk will take us to its historic downtown and further south to the D&R's lift and outlet lock before heading back through town where we can enjoy Lambertville's historic homes decked out in their Halloween best. Before our return along the path, the group may stop in at OWowCow to indulge in some amazing ice cream or remain in town for lunch on their own! Registered participants will meet at 1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Rte 29 - north of Lambertville just before the 202 entrance/exit ramp) promptly at 10:30 am. Click here for map.
This program is fully registered.
D&R CANAL STATE PARK & COMMISSION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT PRALLSVILLE MILLS
Location: Prallsville Mills, 33 Risler Street, Stockton, NJ
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 2:00 -5:00 pm
Co-Sponsor: Canal Society of NJ & Delaware River Mill Society
We thank everyone who attended our milestone 50th year celebration on Saturday September 14th at the Prallsville Mill in Stockton! We are especially thankful to everyone who participated and assisted. A very special shout-out to our sponsors The Canal Society of NJ and the Delaware River Mill Society. We are also grateful to Ted Settle for his fabulous photography exhibit, "The Successful Failures" who provided the music, all our participating partner organizations, Smokey the Bear and Woodsy the Owl. It was a perfect day and a great event!
Mark your calendars and plan to help us celebrate the D&R Canal State Park and Commission's 50th Anniversary! This public event will be held at Prallsville Mills located at 33 Risler Street in Stockton, NJ on Saturday, September 14th from 2:00 - 5:00 pm (rain or shine).
Help us celebrate our 50 year milestone anniversary. Come speak with our partner organizations who will be on site and ready to interact with the public. These historic organizations and environmental groups selflessly support the stewardship mission of NJ State Parks and assist with the preservation and education of the natural, environmental and historic resources of the D&R Canal State Park. Come meet them, become a member and get involved! (See the participating partner organizatons list below)
Walk through the historic Grist & Saw Mills and learn their stories. Members of the Delaware River Mill Society will be on hand to answer questions about the mill workings, surviving equipment and the people who worked there.
Meet Smokey the Bear and make sure to wish him a happy 80th birthday! Smokey will be onsite with his friend "Woodsy the Owl" to help us celebrate the D&R's 50th anniversary. Don't pass up an opportunity to pose for a selfie with this historic and iconic U.S. Forest Fire mascot.
Enjoy a fresh street taco from Tia’s Tacos or indulge in a sweet treat from Kona Ice while enjoying the acoustic sounds of The Successful Failures including their original song “Dig Boys” inspired by the workers who built the D&R Canal.
Who Are "The Successful Failures?"
“The first thing you should know about The Successful Failures is that any attempt to plug them into one genre or another is very much a fool’s errand. Hailing from Trenton, N.J., the band deftly combines Americana, Pop, Rock, and enough of a dusting of Bluegrass that serves as an appetizer to the main course without overwhelming the entire meal.” – July 2020, Rock is the New Roll
No Depression magazine dubbed The Successful Failures as “one of the hardiest and most prolific outfits on the planet” playing “instantly infectious melodies that tread the line between power pop and Americana without wholly committing to either”. With a name borrowed from a Jack London short story and an indie rock work ethic The Successful Failures have been together playing music for 19 years and are set to release their 11th full length album in October 2024. Singer and songwriter Mick Chorba often chooses off-beat topics for his songs such as shark attacks, armadillos, vikings and presidents. The band’s 2022 single “Dig Boys” tells the story of the real life immigrants who dug the Delaware and Raritan canal. Chorba was inspired by the information provided by the park service along the trail near Lambertville, NJ and the song was written in a classic “work song” style with grunts and yelps to simulate the digging. The band is excited to perform the tune while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the D&R Canal State Park! www.thesuccessfulfailures.com
PARTICIPATING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc. was established in 1999 and incorporated in 2004 to support the ongoing restoration, preservation and interpretation of the historic Abraham Staats House, one of the finest surviving buildings of the 18th century Dutch settlement of the Raritan Valley.
The Canal Society of New Jersey protects and restores the remains of New Jersey’s Morris and D&R canals, preserving the history of the sites and educating the public. Working collaboratively with other stakeholders, the Society generates interest in the canals as historic, educational, and recreational resources.
The D&R Canal Watch protects, maintains, & promotes the recreational, historical, aesthetic & environmental qualities of the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park & its environs; assists & supports regional, state, local & private enterprise efforts which contribute to this goal; investigates the restoration of the canal to through navigation.
The Delaware River Greenway Partnership works to bring individuals,
communities, businesses, recreational users, and all levels of
government together to promote and protect a continuous corridor of
natural and cultural resources along the Delaware River and its
tributaries.
The East Coast Greenway is a walking and biking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida, connecting our nation’s most populated corridor. The Greenway offers a safe place for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and more to commute, exercise, and visit new destinations.
The Friends of the Delaware Canal is an independent, non-profit organization working to restore, preserve, and improve the Delaware Canal and its surroundings. Our primary goals are to ensure the Canal is fully-watered from Easton to Bristol and the towpath trail is usable over its entire length.
Formed in 2000 the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands preserves the cultural landscape of the former Princeton Nurseries. It is dedicated to the preservation, protection, development & interpretation of the historical, horticultural and natural resources of the former Princeton Nurseries Kingston site for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Kingston Greenways Association aims to establish a permanent green belt around the village of Kingston consisting of natural environments, recreational park land, agricultural & horticultural land, wetlands/streams and sites of historical interest; to preserve & create connections of green for walking, bicycling and horseback riding; to promote understanding of our local region through study and education, and to provide oversight and advocacy for open space in the Kingston area.
The Kingston Historical Society was formed in 1997 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization to preserve, enhance & promote the history of the village of Kingston, New Jersey. Its headquarters are in the Locktender’s House on the Delaware and Raritan Canal where it maintains the original circa 1834 home of families who operated the Kingston locks on the canal.
The Lawrence Historical Society was formed in 1975 as a non-partisan non-profit organization. Its purpose is to preserve & promote the richly diverse history of Lawrence Township by building a bridge from the past to the future. It accomplishes this by maintaining two historic sites, the Brearley House & Port Mercer Canal House & sponsoring a variety of programming, including lectures, awards & events
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway received national and state designation for its scenic beauty, historic importance & environmental integrity. Located in central New Jersey, the Byway is a touchstone for preservation & conservation efforts. The Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition, sponsor of the Byway, encourages you to visit the Valley, drive the byway, and enjoy walking, birding, fishing and canoeing at the D&R Canal State Park.
Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic is a nationally recognized wild and scenic
river. It is overseen by a Management Council dedicated to protecting
and preserving water quality, natural resources, historic resources,
recreation, open space, and economic development.
Prallsville Mills offers a variety of cultural and community activities in a magnificent setting along the Delaware River and D&R Canal. Come to the mill for a tour, a yoga class, an art show, a lecture or a concert. Get engaged in our history – or married in one of our magnificent structures.
The mission of SPLASH Delaware River Floating Classroom is to educate and inspire through accessible aquatic-based experiential learning and citizen science on the Delaware River and its shores.
Since 2004, SPLASH has been delighting school-age and adult groups with educational programs focused on the vital importance of the Delaware River.
The Rockingham Association was incorporated in 1964 as the NJ State-recognized, non-profit auxiliary organization to Rockingham State Historic Site. Our membership come from throughout the state of New Jersey as well as from out of state. The Association supports preservation & interpretation goals of the site & helps fund various programs/events throughout the year.
