Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park - UPDATE! Lots of options!
Written: Jun 06 '01 (Updated Feb 17 '02)
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Pros: A variety of activities, a walk through history.
Cons: No signs for alternate routes.
The Bottom Line: Recommended for recreation and history rolled into one.
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| frytz's Full Review: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park |
Scroll down to update.....
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is one of New Jersey's linear parks. It consists of two legs - one from Frenchtown to Trenton along the Delaware River and one from Trenton to New Brunswick through interior New Jersey. This opinion covers the first leg, since I am still in the process of hiking the second.
The section along the Delaware River follows the route of the feeder canal, which suppled water to the main canal and also served barge traffic. The canal was constructed between 1830 and 1834. In 1855 the Belvidere-Delaware Railroad was completed alongside the feeder canal from Bull's Island to Trenton, and the tracks extended north to Belvidere to tie into other rail lines.
The trail of today runs from just north of Frenchtown to downtown Trenton. The effective start of the trail is at Bridge St in Frenchtown by the old railroad depot, which is now a residence. Parking is available here. The trail actually continues north for two miles to a point just south of Milford, where tracks are still in place. This section is very lightly used.
The trail from Frenchtown to Trenton is open to hikers, bikers and joggers, and the canal is open to canoers and anglers. The canal is a state stocked waterway for fishing. The feeder canal is 22 miles long, and the trail including the railbed to Milford is a total of over 30 miles. There are many access points along the trail with varying amounts of parking available. The trail is always adjacent to Route 29.
Along the upper half of the trail, rafters are often seen on the Delaware River. Some access points have picnic tables and grills. Picnicking and camping is available at Bull's Island. Canoes, kayaks and small boats may be used on the canal. Only electric motors are allowed. There are canoe rentals available.
The surface of the trail is mostly crushed stone, and in all areas the surface is easy on the feet. Occasional benches are found along the trail. The trail passes though Washington Crossing State Park which has many facilities. Two locks are still in place - one just north of Stockton and one just south of Lambertville.
Most of the structures associated with the canal are preserved as is the whole canal (unlike the Morris Canal of which little remains). The locks and the Prattsville mill are quite interesting, but some of the most interesting sections are in the Trenton area. There are two aqueducts which carry the canal over roadways. Within the city of Trenton, the canal wends it's way through urban development and urban decay, but the canal persists. Finally. at Old Rose St, the canal disappears under the Route 1 expressway. It reappears as the main canal about 1 1/2 miles further north. This leg and the street connection will be covered in a later opinion.
Between Frenchtown and Stockton the area is quite rural. Once the trail reaches Stockton, it passes through a number of towns and parks with facilities available including many quaint restaurants.
The Delaware and Raritan can be a source of recreation in many forms, and it is a pleasant source in all respects.
In some areas, the trail actually runs on both sides of the canal, but there are now signs or maps to let the visitor know, so you will have to discover these alternate routes on your own.
UPDATE UPDATE
This is an update covering the main canal path from Trenton to New Brunswick.
Just over 1 mile of the original canal from Old Rose St to Mulberry Rd in Trenton are covered by the Route 1 expressway. Parallel streets to the west can be used to reach these ends of the canal. From Mulberry Rd to Route 1 (no foot crossing available) the trail is open, but not too widely used due to the Route 1 barrier. The next 2 miles is also lightly used for the same reason.
At Port Mercer (Quaker Bridge Rd) parking is available and the trail is quite popular all the way to the end at New Brunswick. I have encountered hikers, bikers, joggers, runners, horses, anglers and boaters. This whole section of trail is wide and firm surfaced. The trail is used as a road by water utilities which use the canal as an enormous water main, drawing water out for municipal use at various points.
There are five locks in this section. Their original lock gates have been replaced by sluice gates. Many weirs of various styles are found along the canal. At Princeton, the Millstone River runs alongside the canal, and the river is dammed to form Lake Carnegie. This Lake is used by the Princeton University rowing teams, and they can be seen training on many occasions. It is possible to hike or bike the 25 miles along the canal from the campus of Princeton to the campus of Rutgers. One hole of the Princeton Country Club golf course plays across the canal and trail. There are warning signs for trail users in each direction.
Although the trail is always less than 1 mile from major highways, most sections seem quite remote and peaceful. At all points from Trenton to New Brunswick, the canal is populated by numerous turtles, some of considerable size, most of which slip into the water as you approach. In most areas, you will be serenaded by bull frogs in season. Vegetation is aways lush with the constant water supply.
Just beyond the aptly named 10 mile lock, the Millstone River, which has been your constant companion since Princeton, empties into the Raritan River. From here on, although the canal passes close to industrial and populated areas, the feeling of remoteness remains, since the trail lies between the river and the canal. Access from the busy parallel roads is only possible at a few foot bridges. In the center of South Bound Brook, and in New Brunswick near the end, main local streets cross the trail and canal to cross the river. One quarter mile beyond Landing Lane in New Brunswick, the trail ends at a modern concrete weir. The original canal extended over a mile further ending in a final lock, but this section now lies beneath Route 18.
All in all this trail is a real treasure in such a heavily developed state as New Jersey. Luckily, when the canal ceased operation, the state took over the property to use it as a water supply system. This gave everyone time to recognize what a recreation resource the right of way provided.
I highly recommend this park for all the recreational opportunities it presents. ENJOY!
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
frytz
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Location: Little Falls, New Jersey, USA
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Retired chemist, avid hiker, investor, computer user, amateur composer.
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