The Upper Delaware is the longest free-flowing river in the Northeast, navigable by a wide variety of watercraft throughout its entire length. It includes riffles and Class I and II rapids between placid pools and eddies. Its average depth is 4 to 5 feet, but 12 to 18-foot holes are common, and many are even deeper, to 113 feet at Big Eddy, Narrowsburg, NY and boasts a total elevation differential of 460 feet, better than six feet per mile, although it is much steeper in some reaches. Canoes, kayaks and rafts are the most popular way of navigating the waters.
Boating experts have said that the combination of proximity to major metropolitan areas, high visual quality, and consistent flows due to upstream reservoir releases, makes the Upper Delaware one of the finest recreational canoeing rivers in the Northeast.The river can rise rapidly after heavy rains and after releases from dams on its tributaries. Obstructions include large boulders, bridge piers and eel weirs. Avoid boulders in rapids by steering into the downstream “V.” Avoid getting trapped in an eel weir by steering outside the wingwalls. Don’t paddle into the “V” in this case.
The Upper Delaware’s boating season extends from mid-April through October. The water, even in summer, can be cold enough to cause hypothermia. Boaters and anglers should always be prepared for cold water. Of course, every boater should bring along a bag for trash and pack out what he or she carries in.
Types of Watercraft
Canoes, rafts, tubes, and kayaks are the most popular watercraft on the Upper Delaware. If you don’t have your own, vessels are available to rent from the many licensed commercial outfitters that operate on the river. Please note that Personal Watercraft or PWCs (i.e. jet skis) are prohibited. To ensure safety, National Park Service rangers and volunteers, as well as members of the National Canoe Safety Patrol, may be present to assist boaters in need.
River Access
Winding through highlands scenery from Hancock, NY, to just north of Matamoras, PA, the Upper Delaware is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Although the river is a unit of the National Park System, almost all land along the river is privately owned.
Public river accesses are located for your convenience on both Pennsylvania and New York shorelines. These accesses range from 3 to 20 miles apart along the river and are jointly managed by the National Park Service and the agencies which own the land.
River Access Points
Public river accesses are located for your convenience on both Pennsylvania and New York shorelines. These accesses range from 3 to 20 miles apart along the river and are jointly managed by the National Park Service and the agencies which own the land.
Shehawken, PA
The Northern Terminus of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Located on the southwestern side of Point Mountain.
Hancock, NY (river mile 330)
Offering canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Buckingham, PA (river mile 325)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Lordville, NY (river mile 323)
Offering canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Long Eddy, NY (river mile 315)
Offering canoe and fishing access. No on-site parking is available.
Basket Creek, NY (at the convergence of Basket Creek and the Delaware River)
Offering fishing access only. Parking may be limited.
Kellams, NY (at the convergence of Little Equinunk Creek on the PA side and the Delaware River)
Offering fishing access only. Parking may be limited.
Hankins, NY (River Rest Stop)
Offering picnic areas, restrooms and camping.
Callicoon, NY (river mile 304)
Offering canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms. Camping facilities near by.
Callicoon, PA (river mile 304)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Damascus, PA (river mile 299)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Milanville, PA (river mile 297)
Ranger Station.
Skinners Falls, NY (river mile 296)
Offering canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms. Just north of this access area are some camping facilities with telephone access.
Narrowburg, NY (river mile 290)
Offering boat launch, canoe, fishing access and camping along with seasonal restrooms. Just north of this point is the National Park Service’s Headquarters for the upper Delaware River.
Narrowburg, PA (river mile 290)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Ten Mile River, NY (river mile 282)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Lackawaxen, PA (river mile 278)
Offering boat launch, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms. Telephone access. The Zane Grey Museum, home of the legendary novelist. Within visible distance, south of this point is the infamous Delaware Aqueduct, also know as the Roebling Bridge. Between this access area and the next public access spot are a number of priviately run livery services and campgrounds.
Highland, NY (river mile 282)
Offering canoe and fishing access. Parking is limited.
National Park Service Barryville Office, NY (approx. river mile 273)
Just below the Shohola Rapids.
Buckhorn Natural Area, PA (river mile 267)
Offering camping sites. There are no facilities at this location and you must get there by water. Free permits are available by calling the National Park Service Barryville Office at (845) 557-0222. Access is on the PA shore near the Staircase Rapids between Pond Eddy and Mongaup.
Monguap, NY (river mile 260)
Offering pinic areas, canoe and fishing access along with seasonal restrooms.
Sparrowbush, NY (river mile 259)
The Northern Terminus of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Offering boat, canoe and fishing access.
West End Beach in Port Jervis, NY
A public beach with part-time lifeguard.
Tri-States Monument in NY, NJ and PA
Junction of Neversink and Delaware rivers, Laurel Grove Cemetery. One of Port Jervis’s most famous landmarks is the Tri-States Rock where a person can stand on three states at one time. The rock is located just under the Interstate Route 84 bridge.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area begins 8 miles south of here, and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River begins 6 miles to the north. Both areas are managed by the National Park Service. The Neversink River, a world class trout stream, merges with the Delaware at this point. It originates in the Catskill Mountains, many miles away.
Noted Rapids
Skinners Falls Rapids
River mile 295. Just South of the public access area on the eastern (NY) shore at the Milanville/Skinner’s Falls Bridge are the Skinner’s Falls Rapids. The most difficult rapids on this section of the Delaware River, featuring waves of up to two feet, or Class II rapids.
No. 9 Railroad Bridge Rapids
River mile 285. A series of small Class I rapids leads one downriver from Narrowsburg, these Class II rapids that are less instense than the Skinners Falls version but just as fun.
Masthope Rapids
River mile 282. This is where NY’s Ten Mile River and PA’s Masthope Creek converge into the Delaware to add to the choppiness of these Class I to I+ rapids.
Colang Rapids
River mile 281. These Class II rapids are a nice charge before the River deepens and calms for a stretch.
Kunkeli Rapids
River mile 279. These Class II rapids lead into a series of smaller rapids.
Not far from these rapids is the Zane Grey Museum, (570) 685-4871, is located on the PA shore of the River just after the Lackawaxen River joins the Delaware. Here one can use the Zane Grey public access area to rest, visit the home of the legendary novelist or witness some of the best eagle viewing on the Delaware River.
Cedar Rapids
River mile 275. A quick Class II series of rapids that rounds a swift bend and features many rocks.
Shohola Rapids
River mile 273. Just past the Shohola/Barryville Bridge starts a series of rapids for a 12-mile stretch. The Shohola Rapids are a little more difficult to navigate as there is no straight shoot to find.
Staircase Rapids
River mile 267. Here starts a series of lighter rapids that continue for a distance.
Mongaup Rapids and Inlet
River mile 267. From the NY shore the Monguap River joins the Delaware. Rate a Class II, one can often see experienced kayakers playing in the whites as the entering from the public access area.
Butlers Rift
River mile 260.This rift offering Class I rapids is in the scenic section of the river called “Hawk’s Nest.” Beautiful cuts of rock are visible on the NY shore.
Mill Rift
River mile 259. Located on the western fork of Cherry Island, this rift offers a quiet drift trip, to the Southern Terminus Access Area, by No. 2 Railroad bridge, identifing the southern point of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
River Safety
A river trip should be exciting, but it can also be a dangerous experience. To avoid problems or injuries, it is important to prepare carefully for a safe trip.
The Delaware River does not have particularly hazardous rapids. At average water levels, the Upper Delaware has only a few Class II or II+ rapids. However, moving water can be deceptive and potentially treacherous, even for non-paddlers. More drownings on the Delaware River have been swimming-related than boating-related. In almost all cases, the victims were not wearing a properly fitted life jacket.
Planning for a safe river trip begins well before you get on the water and doesn’t end until you return home. By following the steps and information listed below, you will better understand how to safely and comfortably enjoy the river.
Always be Prepared
- Wear a life jacket and river shoes.
- Bring a spare paddle, a throw line, and a first aid kit.
- Bring adequate drinking water with you.
Protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. Heat cramps are the warning sign that the body is having trouble with the heat. Resting and drinking water will help prevent more serious illness like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Do not drink river or stream water.
- Be aware of river conditions.
Call the Upper Delaware River Hotline at 845 252-7100. This recorded message is available 24 hours a day and is updated daily during the boating season. It provides the river height, air and water temperatures, boating conditions and general river safety information.
- Be ready for changing weather and cold water.
Have raingear. To protect against hypothermia, have clothing made of wool, polypropylene, high-performance fleece, or a wet suit. Immersion hypothermia is the numbing effect that cold water has on the body. Hypothermia is possible whenever the water temperature falls below 70° F. Loss of body heat is 25 times greater in cold water than in air of the same temperature.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Arrange drop off and pick up points before you leave. Leave emergency phone numbers and vehicle description and tag numbers with someone who can report that you are overdue.
- Carry in/carry out all your belongings, including trash.
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs while on the river.
Alcohol makes you more susceptible to heat-related illness. In an emergency, it slows your response. Never impair your judgment while on the river.
Laws on underage drinking, possession of illegal drugs, disorderly conduct, and littering are strictly enforced!
- Guard against sunburn.
It’s easy to get burned before you realize it on a cool, refreshing river. Knees, backs of hands, neck and tops of feet are most susceptible to burns. Be sure you apply waterproof sunscreen or keep your skin covered.
- Be aware of upstream releases and sudden changes in water depth and speed.
Emergency Contact Numbers for the Upper Delaware:
911
National Park Service: 845 557-0222
New York State Police
Delaware County: 607 467-3215
Sullivan County: 845 252-3212
Orange County: 845 856-6500Pennsylvania State Police
Honesdale: 570 253-7126
Blooming Grove: 570 775-7374
- Cell phones may not work along the river.
Your Safety is Your Responsibility
- Always Wear Your Life Jacket.
It’s smart to wear a life jacket, while boating, tubing, fishing, wading, or swimming on the river. The National Park Service recommends that you always wear it when you’re near the water. By law, all children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while on the river in any vessel, including inner tubes. Every person in a boat or using an inner tube must have a life jacket withing reach, not tied to the vessel. Each person’s life jacket must be the proper size and in good condition.
Violators will be fined!
- Use Proper Boating Techniques.
Kneel when canoeing in rapids to keep your weight low. This helps avoid capsizing. In rapids, aim for the downstream “V”.
Paddle on opposite sides of the canoe. Hold onto your paddle, not the boat.
Paddle around eel weirs Avoid these large, “V”-shaped wooden and rock traps, usually constructed by late summer.
Always be courteous on the river You may encounter a variety of river users on your trip. Please respect their rights and act responsibly and ethically.
- If You Capsize…
- Don’t panic. Stay upstream of the boat so it does not pin you against a rock.
- Don’t attempt to stand in rapids. Get on your back and keep your feet up and pointed downstream to push off obstacles.
Never swim against the current. Backstroke and let the current assist you to shore.
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Most drownings on the Delaware River have been swimming-related.
The Upper Delaware includes swift currents, rapids, eddies, sudden drop-offs, slippery rocks, and floating or submerged debris.
There are no designated or life-guarded swimming areas on the Upper Delaware River.
Wear a life jacket and appropriate footwear while swimming, wading, or floating.
Never try to stand in rapids. Your foot could get trapped between submerged rocks. The current could push you over and hold you under even if you are wearing a life jacket.
Do not jump or dive from cliffs, rocks, or bridges into the river; the water may be shallow and objects may be submerged.
Never attempt to swim across the river.
Protect the River and Others Around You
Obey all regulations and respect all resources
Boating and alcohol or other drugs don’t mix. Never impair your judgment while on the river. Laws on underage drinking, possession of illegal drugs, disorderly conduct, and littering are strictly enforced!
Observe fishing limits and seasons. Display your fishing license properly; fishing regulations are enforced. Do not fish from any bridge.
Respect private property. More than 85 percent of the land along the river is privately owned.
Do not remove or deface cultural artifacts or natural features.
Don’t litter. Be sure to tie all gear, except life jackets to your boat. Carry-in, carry-out. No glass containers on or near the river.If you have questions or need assistance, look for National Park Service rangers or volunteers, who are there to help.
Respect the River
Don’t Become a Statistic
Since 1980, when Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River began river operations, 50 drownings have been recorded on the Upper Delaware River.
48 of the victims were not wearing life jackets; the other 2 were not wearing their life jacket properly and it came off.
At least 20% of the deaths were drug or alcohol related fatalities.
Over 65% of the drownings occurred while victims were swimming or wading.