Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail

Trail Description

The Delaware Raritan Canal Trail, part of the National Recreation Trail System, is one of the most popular long distance multi-use paths in New Jersey. Whether you are fascinated by history, seeking the perfect family excursion, a weekend bike tour with the added attraction of a scenic river environment, then the D&R Canal State Park Trail is a must do bike ride for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

The 70-mile linear Delaware & Raritan Canal Trail is also one of central New Jersey's most valuable recreational and wildlife corridors spanning three New Jersey counties (Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset). It connects fields, forests and wetlands. The Cook Natural Area, Bull’s Island Natural Area and Six Mile Run Reservoir site highlight the river, freshwater marsh and lowland floodplain habitats.

The Y-shaped D&R Trail System is comprised of basically two distinct sections, the 34 mile long main D&R Canal State Park Trail and the D&R Canal State Park Feeder Trail, which runs for 31.4 miles along the Delaware River on the New Jersey / Pennsylvania border.

The main D&R Canal State Park Trail stretches from Trenton, NJ northeast passing the Port Mercer bridgetenders house, travelling through the charming villages of Kingston and Griggstown to Blackwell Mills and the Raritan River before bending southeast at South Bound Brook Lock finally ending up in New Brunswick, NJ.

Running on the dirt towpath once used by mules to pull the barges along the canal, the natural surface of either crushed stone or gravel accommodates equestrians as well as bicyclists (hybrid or mountain bikes), and hikers. It's a beautiful, ever so scenic, relatively level mountain bike ride with a few uphill sections approaching the locks. There will be narrow sections that wind along high embankments above the canal where caution is required. Since this section of the canal, unlike the feeder canal segment, was never converted for rail use, it is a rougher ride than the feeder canal path. There may overgrown sections and rough and muddy stretches with a few roots and rocks.

The canal towpath trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Weekend use is very high. Plan for a weekday ride or arrive early to get a place to park.

Trail Highlights: historical wonders such as 19th century mills, hand-chiseled stone-arched culverts, locktender houses and charming Victorian era towns along the main Deleware & Raritan State Park Canal Trail include but are not limited to 5 mile, 10 mile, South Bound Brook and Kingston Locks, Griggstown Mills and Blackwell Mills historic sites, Cook Natural Area and Princeton Battlefield State Park.

Because there are two canals covering many miles you can come back again and again to ride different trail sections. There are plenty of places to stop and eat, shop, or sight-see along the way. If you wish to avoid a side trip, bring food and water and take a break on one of the many benches along the trail. The stretch from Princeton to New Brunswick (shown above) is a good first ride, with much to see and do.

Both Griggstown and Blackwells Mills are located between the Millstone River and the D&R Canal and can be reached off Route 533, Millstone River Road in Hillsborough or from Canal Road in Franklin Township. Both historic sites provide access to the Millstone River as well as the canal and towpath.

Blackwell Mills
The Bridgetender's Canal House (circa 1830), wooden bridge and mill site are reminders of an era gone by. The Park Office, also located here, is just a short walk south on Canal Road from Blackwells Mills. Near the office you can access the trailhead for Six Mile Run Reservoir. Picnic tables and grills offer idyllic lunch spots with with views of the river. Horse trailer parking is also available.

Annual events including crafts and antique shows, concerts, art exhibits and holiday festivities are held at the Canal House.

Blackwell's Mills Canal House Association Phone: 732.257.4557

Griggstown Mill & Lock
The wooden canal bridge, the Muletender's Barracks building, the Bridgetender's House and Station and the site of the Griggstown Mill are situated here. Canoes rentals are available from a private concession on the canal. The Griggstown Lock is less than a mile south along the towpath. Picnic tables and grills are available.

Kingston Lock
This is one of the most popular areas along the canal trail. Lock #8, the locktender's house and station, and an historic mill site are located along Route 27 in South Brunswick Township. Two miles of the towpath along Carnegie Lake can be accessed from this site.

Cook Natural Area
The Preserve consists of two sections. The 22 acre natural area is comprised of deciduous lowland hardwood forest adjacent to Heathcote and Carter Brook just to the east of Kingston. A picturesque, old stone bridge crosses Heathcote Brook in the middle of the Natural Area and provides access to the D & R Canal Trail. A variety of nature trails (no bikes) leads visitors around fields and ponds. The Agricultural section, about 30 acres is mainly open fields currently being farmed for hay.

Princeton Battlefield State Park
Open year round, the 85 acre park, situated on the Site of the Battle of Princeton that took place in 1777, is a National Historic Landmark. Park features include the Princeton Battlefield, the Clarke House Museum, Offspring, Mercer Oak, the Ionic Colonnade designed by Thomas U. Walter (architect of the US Capitol Building), and a stone patio marking the grave of 21 British and 15 American soldiers killed in the battle.

500 Mercer Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540 Phone: 609.921.0074

History:

The Deleware & Raritan Canal was built in the early 1830s as a transportation route between Philadelphia and New York. During its peak years in the 1860s and 1870s coal was transported to New York along the canal. By the end of the 19th century canal use declined in favor of the railroad.

Most of the canal remains intact today. Bridges, bridgetender houses, locks, cobblestone spillways, stone-arched culverts and mills are seen all along the trail. 19th century mill and lock complexes can be visited at Prallsville Mills, Kingston, Griggstown and Blackwell Mills. The historic towns of Frenchtown, Stockton, Lambertville and Princeton are nearby.

You may also be interested in the D&R Canal State Park Feeder Trail
For more long distance multi-use Rail Trails in New Jersey

For more information:

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
145 Mapleton Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609-924-5705

Website: Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park

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