The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (NYS Route 97) offers some of the finest recreational opportunities in the northeastern United States. In particular, sightseeing, boating, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, winter activities, and cycling along state-established bike routes are popular activities in the river area.
Tusten Mountain Trail
Location: Crawford Road, Narrowsburg, NY
GPS 413316 – 750108.9
Length: 3 miles
Duration: 1 – 3 hours
Difficult: steep inclines, uneven footing
Size of Area: 3-miles round trip
Geography and Use: Approximately 500 vertical feet, for a moderately strenuous hike. Allow 1.5 to three hours minimum. Open from 8:30am until 6:00pm only. View the Tusten Stone Arch Bridge, Tusten Rd. at Ten Mile River, on the National Register of Historic Places.
General Site Information: In July 1999, the National Park Service (NPS) entered into an agreement with the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America to provide public access to one of its trails along the Delaware River. Please respect the authority of the Ten Mile River Scout Camps as you enjoy their Tusten Mountain Trail near Narrowsburg, New York.
Restrictions: No fires or camping. No bikes or motorized vehicles. Pets must be leashed. Hunting in season by permit only.
Trailhead: The trailhead is near the Ten Mile River public access site off New York State Route 97 – between Barryville and Narrowsburg, New York.
A trail brochure is available from the National Park Service
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
274 River Road
Beach Lanke, PA 18405
570-685-4871
From Narrowsburg, NY: Take New York Route 97 South approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Crawford Road. River access parking is one half mile on your right.
From Barryville, NY: Take New York Route 97 approximately nine miles. Turn left onto Crawford Road. River access parking is one half mile on your right.
From Lackawaxen, PA: Cross Roebling Bridge. Turn left onto New York Route 97 North. Go approximately six miles. Turn left onto Crawford Road. River access parking is one half mile on your right.
74 Crawford Rd Narrowsburg, NY 12764
Elks Brox Memorial Park
Location: in Port Jervis, Orange County, NY
Managed by the City Department of Public Works
845-858-4017
Size of Area:
Geography and Use: Park with picnic areas, bathrooms, trails and panoramic vistas of the Shawangunk and Kittatinny mountains, along with the Delaware and Neversink river valleys.
General Site Information: In 1914, the Elks, seeing the possibilities of the development of the area as a public park, raised the necessary funds to purchase the tract under the leadership of the Rev. William J. Donohue, then pastor of the Most Sacred Heart Church. The property was named Elks Park.
In the years that followed, Skyline Drive, a four-mile road that ran along the crest of the two mountains, was built and other improvements to the park were made. In 1932, Sarah Belle Thorne made a substantial donation in memory of her brother-in-law, Charles Brox, and the property was conveyed from the Elks to the city and became known as the Elks-Brox Memorial Park. In later years, part of it was used as a Girl Scout Camp and as late as the 1980s, a public campground. In 1996 the park was reopened and new picnic areas, trails, and bathrooms were constructed.
Elks Memorial Park Port Jervis, NY 12771
Crystal Lake State Reservation
Location: Delaware County, NY
Size of Area: 497-acres with a 32-acre man-made lake
Geography and Use: Recreational activities are abundant here: hiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, hunting, fishing, camping, mountain biking, small-craft boating (electric motors only) and swimming.
Crystal Lake Rd Roscoe, NY 12776
Bouchoux Trail
(Jensen’s Ledges) NY DEC GL 209
Location:in the Town of Hancock, Delaware County, NY
Bouchoux Road
Lordville, NY
GPS 415231.6 – 751047.8
Length: 2 miles
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficult: steep inclines, uneven footing
Geography and Use: Day Hiking, wildlife viewing and camping.
General Site Information: NYSDEC Region 4 (518) 357-2234
A difficult hike leads to an amazing panoramic view of the Upper Delaware River Valley at the summit of Jensen’s Ledges. Quarrying of bluestone was once a large industry in the area as evidenced by the large bluestone piles.
To get to the trail in Lordville, NY turn onto Bouchoux Road. Travel 2.8 miles to the end of the road. The trail head is on the left side at the end of the cul-de-sac.
2275 Grandview Rd Hancock, NY 13783
Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area
Site Name: Mongaup Valley Bird Conservation Area
State Ownership and Managing Agency: Department of Environmental Conservation
Size of Area: 11,967 acres
Geography and Use: upland, wetland, hiking trails, handicapped access, boat access, parking lot, scenic vistas, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and trapping.
Bald Eagle Observation Blind (on the left side of the road, just before the Mongaup Falls Reservoir bridge). Inside the blind you will find a map and display describing the New York State Bald Eagle Restoration project, along with other interesting information about bald eagles.
Location: Sullivan County, Towns of Forestburgh, Lumberland; Orange County, Town of Deer Park. Follow Route 97 north from Sparrowbush approximately 3 miles to the confluence of the Mongaup and Delaware Rivers.
General Site Information: The Mongaup Valley Bird Conservation Area includes all of the Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area, and consists of a series of reservoirs, the Mongaup River, and creeks flowing through the Mongaup River Valley to the Delaware River. The river corridor is surrounded by relatively undisturbed and forested rolling hills. The area hosts one of the largest Bald Eagle wintering sites in the state, and also supports several active eagle nests. Rare communities include: a perched bog, a flood-plain forest, and a pitch pine-oak-heath woodland. Rare species, other than birds, include Timber Rattlesnake and Spotted Salamander. Vision Statement: Continue current management to conserve the diversity of bird and wildlife species using the area, particularly Bald Eagles. Develop systems for monitoring status of bird species at the site, especially state-listed species.
715 NY-97 Sparrow Bush, NY 12780
