The National Park Service
Upper Delaware
Scenic and Recreational River
Horizontal Rule

Authorized on November 10, 1978, as a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River stretches 73.4 miles (118.3 km) along the New York-Pennsylvania border. The longest free-flowing river in the Northeast, it includes riffles and Class I and II rapids between placid pools and eddies. Public fishing and boating accesses are provided, although most land along the river is privately owned. Wintering bald eagles are among the wildlife that may be seen here. This unit of the National Park Service is also home to John Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct and the Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA.
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LOCATION:
Pike and Wayne counties, PA; Delaware, Orange and Sullivan counties, NY.

VISITATION:
Annual visitation of almost 500,000 includes over 400,000 river users, primarily from late May through August. Highest in July and August, lowest December through February.

Acreage:
Total: 55,574.5
Federal: 30.37
Nonfederal: 55,554.13

ADDRESS:
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
RR 2 Box 2428
Beach Lake, PA 18405-9737

E-MAIL:
Park Information
upde_interpretation@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:
General Information: 570-685-4871
24-Hour River Conditions Hotline: 914-252-7100
(updated daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; seasonal updates all year)
Headquarters: 570-729-8251; FAX 570-729-8565
Division of Interpretation/Zane Grey Museum: 570-685-4871; FAX 570-685-4874
Resource Management: 570-729-7842; FAX 570-729-8842
Dispatch/South District Ranger Office: 914-557-0222; FAX 914-557-0225
North District Ranger Office: 570-729-7862; FAX 570-729-8842

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
River use permitted 24 hours a day, year-round, unless closed due to flooding, ice floes or other hazardous conditions. Public river accesses closed 10 PM to 5 AM.
Most private liveries and campgrounds open mid-April through October.

NPS Information Center in Narrowsburg, NY
May, September thru mid-October: Open weekends; 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
June - Labor Day: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone 570-685-4871 for information.

Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA (Fee for tours)
May thru mid-June, and September thru mid-October: Open weekends, Noon - 4:00 PM
mid-June - Labor Day: Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last tour at 4:30)
January 30 and 31, 1999: (Zane Grey's Birthday) Noon - 4:00 PM, weather permitting
Phone 570-685-4871 for information, tours.

Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct Lackawaxen, PA to Minisink Ford, NY
Bridge open 24 hours a day for vehicular traffic
Tollhouse Visitor Contact Center in Minisink Ford, NY
Open intermittently, weather permitting
Phone 570-685-4871 for information, tours.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summer air temperatures average 75 - 85 degrees F (occasional days in the 90s) with lows to the 50s. Moderately high humidity. Occasional thunderstorms and dense fog. Water temperatures in summer (May to September) rise from the low 60s to highs in the mid-70s in July.

Spring and fall climate is variable. Temperature can drop rapidly after sunset on occasional warm days. Wetsuits may be required for river use.

Winter air temperatures (December to March) are normally below freezing, with frequent snow and ice storms in some years. Water temperatures drop from the 50s to the 30s by December, with most of the river usually freezing over each winter.

Clothing: Always dress in layers. Be prepared for rain and cold weather at any time. Hypothermia is possible, especially on the river, even during the summer. Boaters andanglers should be prepared for cold water. Pack properly for your river trip.

Check area weather forecasts before your visit.

DIRECTIONS:

From New York City, take I-87N (New York Thruway, toll) to NY 17N, then I-84 to Matamoras, PA (Exit 11, PA Welcome Center) then US Routes 209N/6E to NY 97N; or I-84 to Port Jervis (Exit 1), then US Routes 6W/209S to NY 97N, which parallels most of the river.

From Albany, NY, take I-87S (New York Thruway, toll) to Kingston, NY (Exit 19), then US 209S to NY 17W to Monticello; then NY 17B to NY 52W, then NY 97N to Narrowsburg or NY 97S to Lackawaxen and points south.

From Binghamton, NY, take NY 17E to Hancock, NY (Exit 87) then NY 97S.

From Monticello, NY, routes NY 17B and NY 42 lead into the Upper Delaware Valley.

From Scranton, PA, take I-81 to US 6E (Exit 57) through Carbondale and Honesdale, to NY 652E to Narrowsburg and NY 97.

From Philadelphia and Allentown, PA, take I-476 (Northeast Extension, Pennsylvania Turnpike, toll) to Scranton, PA (Exit 39), then I-81S to US 6E (Exit 57) through Carbondale and Honesdale, to NY 652E to Narrowsburg and NY 97.

From Stroudsburg and Milford, PA, take US 209N to US 6W, then PA 434N to Shohola, PA, or 590W to Lackawaxen, PA or from Milford, take US 209N/6E to Port Jervis, then NY 97N.

From Northwestern New Jersey, NJ 15N and 206N lead to Milford, PA, then take US 209N/6E to Port Jervis, then NY 97N.
NJ 23N leads to Port Jervis, NY, then take US 6W/209S to NY 97N.

Contact your livery or lodging provider for specific directions to their site.

TRANSPORTATION:
To River Accesses/Facilities: by private vehicle or, with advance planning, by limited bus, train, taxi service or local auto rentals.
Air Service is available:
Stewart International Airport, Newburgh, NY: 914-564-2100
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA: 570-457-3445
Limited seasonal bus service from New York City area to Honesdale, Greeley (Rt. 6), Milford and Matamoras, PA; Barryville, Narrowsburg and Hancock, NY. Regular daily service is provided to Port Jervis, Middletown and Monticello, NY.
Shortline Bus Service: 1-800-631-8405
Limited daily passenger train service is available from Hoboken, NJ, to Port Jervis, NY. PATH (subway) connection is available from New York City to Hoboken.
MTA Metro-North Railroad: 1-800-638-7646


Limited auto rental and taxi service may be available in Milford, PA, and Port Jervis, NY.

Between River Accesses/Facilities:
Personal vehicle; most canoe liveries provide shuttle service between put-in and take-out or campground sites for their customers.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Boating:
The Upper Delaware is the longest free-flowing river in the Northeast. It includes riffles and Class I and II rapids between placid pools and eddies. Its average depth is 4 - 5 feet, but 12- to 18-foot holes are common, with some even deeper (to 113 feet at Narrowsburg). The river can rise rapidly after heavy rains and after releases from dams on tributaries. Obstructions include large boulders, bridge piers and eel weirs.

The Upper Delaware's boating season extends from mid-April through October. The water, even in summer, can be cold enough to cause hypothermia.

Private liveries rent canoes, rafts, tubes and other watercraft and can arrange a river trip suited to your wishes, from half a day to 5 days long. Liveries provide safety instruction, a properly-fitted life jacket, and they will shuttle you back to your vehicle.

You may bring your own boating equipment and use public river accesses. A properly fitted PFD (life jacket) must be available for each person in a boat or inner tube. Children 12 and under are required to wear their life jackets at all times on the water. We recommend that all boaters keep their life jackets on and securely fastened when on the river.
$50 minimum fine for not having a PFD readily accessible for each occupant. Don't tie PFDs to your boat.
A valid state registration is required for all motorized watercraft, and for commercial nonmotorized vessels (canoes, rafts, kayaks, etc.) launching or taking out at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) public accesses.

Public river accesses range from 3 to 20 miles apart along the river. These accesses are jointly managed by the National Park Service and the agencies which own the land.

Proper river trip planning prevents unexpected disasters.

Fishing:
The Upper Delaware is known as an excellent fishery, with trout, bass, walleye, eel and shad in abundance. Bait and tackle shops are located in the area for your convenience. If you plan to fish, and are 16 or older, you need a New York or Pennsylvania fishing license, which is valid on either side of the river between the two states. Licensed commercial fishing guides also operate on the Upper Delaware.

Camping/Lodging:
Numerous privately-owned campgrounds are along or near the river; make reservations in advance.

A Pennsylvania State Forest primitive camping area for river users only is within the Buckhorn Natural Area of Delaware State Forest, near Stairstep Rapids, Pond Eddy, NY. Required permits are available from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry in Swiftwater, PA (Phone 570-895-4000), or the National Park Service South District Ranger Office on NY Route 97 (Phone: 914-557-0222).

Small motels and bed and breakfast inns are available near the river.

Restaurants and small grocery stores are located within the river valley, many at commercial livery campgrounds.

Hiking:
Since this unit of the National Park System is mainly limited to the river itself, with little land base, there are no National Park Service hiking trails at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. However, several other agencies and organizations manage nearby public lands suitable for short day hikes: Many of these sites are multiple use areas and permit hunting. Always be aware of local hunting seasons. Wear bright clothing (hunter orange) for high visibility.
Remember that most land along the Upper Delaware River is privately owned. Please respect rights of property owners.

Eagle Watching:
The bald eagle has become a year-round resident along the Upper Delaware River, and observant river users may catch a glimpse of an eagle. Bald eagles congregate at certain places along the Upper Delaware during the winter months, when area ponds and most of the river is frozen. Lackawaxen, PA, and Pond Eddy, Callicoon and Lordville, NY, are good places to watch for eagles between December and early March.

Guided Tours and Programs:
Zane Grey Museum was the home of the prolific western author from 1914-18. NPS rangers and volunteers provide 20-minute guided tours through the museum, with its collection of memorabilia, photographs and books, and provide for sale a variety of Zane Grey books currently in print.

Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct was constructed in 1848 as part of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Designed by the future architect of the Brooklyn Bridge — John A. Roebling — the Roebling Bridge, as it is now known, is believed to be the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. NPS rangers and volunteers provide short talks and tours of the former canal remnant; the Tollhouse contains historic photos from the canal era (1825-1898).

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
No park entrance fees. An interpretive program fee is charged for the Zane Grey Museum.
Zane Grey Museum Fee Schedule:
No fees are charged on August 25 (National Park Service Anniversary) and January 31 (Zane Grey's birthday).
Donations are accepted.

Canoe, raft, kayak, inner tube rentals are available from private liveries. Vessels are approximately $25-30/person/day (minimum of 4-6/raft, 2/canoe); inner tubes are approximately $5-15/day.

Campgrounds are privately owned. Sites are approximately $10-15/person/night.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
A New York or Pennsylvania fishing license is required for all anglers, age 16 or older, on the Upper Delaware.

You should make camping reservations (through private campgrounds) for weekends during summer. Holiday weekends are busiest times along the river.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Trip planning publications and maps are available for sale from Upper Delaware's Eastern National bookstore.

Plan to spend at least one full day for summer river trips. Bring extra clothing/rain gear, sunscreen and hat, sunglasses with strap, drinking water and snacks (no glass containers). Wear old sneakers or river shoes to protect your feet. Be sure your Personal Flotation Device (U. S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket) is properly fitted and wear it while on the river. Children 12 years and under are required by law to wear life jackets at all times.

 

Remember that most land along the Upper Delaware River is privately owned. Please respect rights of property owners.

Watch for poison ivy, a few venomous snakes (timber rattlesnakes and copperheads), and ticks (which may transmit Lyme Disease) when hiking or walking in this part of the country. Rabies has been prevalent in this region for several years, so beware of any wild animal acting "unnatural" or being particularly aggressive. Do not attempt to kill wildlife.

Plan to spend approximately 1 hour at the Zane Grey Museum and at the Roebling Bridge. The 20-minute Zane Grey Museum tours are limited to 10 persons/tour; a wait may be expected at times. Groups should make reservations in advance. (570-685-4871)

Calendar of Natural History Events and Activities:

Shad begin making their annual spawning run upstream in early May, depending on water temperature.

Mountain laurel normally blooms in early June, followed by rhododendron.

Eel weirs are constructed by permit in late summer, before female American eels begin their downstream fall migration to spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea.

Early- to mid-October is usually the height of fall foliage colors along the Upper Delaware.

December to March, when the river is frozen, is a good time for eagle watching.

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River participates in the annual Delaware River Sojourn, held during the month of June (American Rivers Month) each year.

Numerous land-based festivals occur annually in towns within the Upper Delaware River Valley.

Annual River Clean-up is held every July. Public participation is welcomed.

VISITOR IMPACTS:
The most important concern regarding visitor impact at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is respect for private property. The majority of the land along the Upper Delaware is privately owned. Trespassing, littering and camping on private land are major concerns. Plan your trip well before departing.

Please be considerate and camp only in designated campgrounds.

Fishing violations and failure to have a wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for each person aboard a vessel are the main law enforcement infractions. Know regulations and respect them!

Most accidents (drownings) on the river have been swimming related. In some cases, alcohol or drugs have also been factors. Always heed safety warnings. Never boat under the influence.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Nearby National Park Service Areas:
See regional map of NPS sites ( 74 K)
Other Federal and State Agencies :
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Accessibility:
Physical accessibility is currently limited. Exhibit areas at the Zane Grey Museum, Roebling Bridge Tollhouse, and Narrowsburg Information Center are accessible with assistance only. An accessible entrance is planned for the Zane Grey Museum. The towpaths across Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct have recently been reconstructed and are wheelchair accessible.

For visually impaired, a few Zane Grey novels in large-print type are available for sale.

State-wide Telecommunications Relay Service available for Hearing and Speech Impaired
  • New York:
    Voice 1-800-421-1220
    TT/TDD 1-800-662-1220
  • Pennsylvania:
    Voice 1-800-654-5988
    TT/TDD 1-800-654-5984

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    Last Update: Monday, 14-Jun-99 11:35:13
    http://www.nps.gov/upde/
    Author: P. S. Valentine