DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL STATE PARK
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is one of central New Jersey?s most popular recreational corridors for canoeing, jogging, hiking, bicycling, fishing and horseback riding. The canal and towpath are part of the National Recreational Trail System. The 70-mile linear park is a valuable wildlife corridor connecting fields and forests.
With its 19th-century bridges, bridgetender houses, past and present locks, cobblestone spillways and hand-built stone-arched culverts, the canal is a tremendous attraction for history lovers. The upper reach of the feeder canal wanders through quaint New Jersey towns along the Delaware River such as Stockton and Lambertville. The main canal passes the Port Mercer canal house, through the charming village of Griggstown to Blackwells Mills, ending up in New Brunswick. Canoes can be rented at Griggstown and Princeton from private concessionaires.
Most of the canal system remains intact today and is a reminder of the days when the delivery of freight depended upon a team of mules or steam tugboats. Nearly 36 miles of the main canal and 22 miles of the feeder canal still exist, with many historic structures along the canal.
There is a boat launch at the Bull's Island Recreation Area for the Delaware River. There are no motor restrictions on the river, but all the New Jersey boating regulations apply.
However, there are restrictions on boating and canoeing on the canal. Only electric motors, cartop launch, and canoes are permitted, which, can be rented from private concessionaires in Griggstown and Princeton.
There is a boat launch at the Bull's Island Recreation Area for the Delaware River. There are no motor restrictions on the river, but all the New Jersey boating regulations apply.
However, there are restrictions on boating and canoeing on the canal. Only electric motors, car top launch, and canoes are permitted, which, can be rented from private concessionaires in Griggstown and Princeton.
Fishing is permitted the entire length of the canal. Anglers can find bass, sunfish, catfish, perch and pickerel within the canal as well as trout, which the Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks the canal with each spring. Fishing is also permitted in the Delaware River. All canal and river fishing is subject to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.