About the Delaware River Water Trail
Stretching from the headwaters of the Delaware River from Hancock, NY to the head of tide in Trenton, NJ/Morrisville, PA, The Delaware River Water Trail is a major asset to the river and the surrounding communities. DRGP is cooperating with public and private open space organizations to establish facilities, safe river use and access, and information on the river and its communities.
Working with a steering committee of federal, interstate, and state officials, the American Canoe Association’s Delaware Valley Division, and several other agencies, DRGP has already been involved in producing:
- A trail guide (A Traveler’s Waterside Guide to the Wild and Scenic Delaware River from Hancock, New York to Trenton, New Jersey). The guide covers 220 miles of the river’s freshwater segment and includes maps and information providing an overview of the river and its remarkable resources and opportunities for recreation.
- River Recreation Maps. These map sets on waterproof paper were completed by Delaware River Basin Commission with more detailed information on river conditions and access. There is a charge for each set.
- We coordinated the steering committee to develop a Concept Plan and Implementation Recommendations. This management plan will guide development of trail activity into the future by including recommendations on new and approved access, camping and overnight facilities, signage and wayfinding, safety and education, and a marketing strategy.
With the completion of the Concept Plan and Guide, we enter Phase 2 or implementation stage for the trail. Cooperation of the Steering Committee will be essential to the development of the trail. Under development is:
- A sign plan that incorporates designs on all types of signs for general information, safety and notification of hazards, access points, and interpretation of significant natural and cultural resources. Also to be reviewed will be recommendations on locations for each type of sign. The sign plan must be coordinated with all requirements by access owners which may have their own requirements for sign specifications. We are also developing a marketing plan and safety program.