DECEMBER FLOOD AND TOWAPTH CONDITIONS UPDATE

Flood Damage at South Bound Brook

 January 5, 2024
BE ADVISED:
Due to flooding in December 2023, portions of the D&R Canal State Park towpath remain impassable and/or hazardous. Park users may experience washed-out areas, debris, or uneven surface conditions. We recommend that these areas be avoided whenever possible.  Please continue to exercise caution while using the towpath and reduce speed/dismount bicycles when appropriate.

Do be aware that our maintenance crews are assessing impacts and roping off hazardous locations. We would like to ask that the public avoid these sections of the towpath during this time. As always, we appreciate your patience and good judgement!

To report additional areas of concern, please call the Park Office at 609-924-5705 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Impacted Areas Include:
Princeton: Between Alexander Road and Quaker Road
South Bound Brook: Between Queens Bridge and Lock 11
Kingston to Griggstown
Five Mile Lock & Spillway

We thank our park users for their cooperation while the towpath is assessed and repaired.

Exterior Makeover for the Kingston Canal House

Exterior Upgrade for the Kingston Canal House; October 2023

October 29, 2023

The Kingston Lock/Bridge Tender’s House is ready for the holiday season and is ending 2023 looking fresh and renewed thanks to the continued support of the Canal Society of New Jersey who again worked in partnership with the Kingston Historical Society to fund and complete this much needed exterior makeover.  We are also grateful to the excellent work done by Jerry Clark and his crew at Final Touch Painting who made time in their busy schedule to get this project completed before the colder weather arrived. The historic house looks amazing! We couldn’t be more pleased.

The park extends its gratitude and thanks to both partner organizations who remain committed in their support of the D&R Canal State Park’s mission of stewardship. We never tire of saying that it is with the help and support of our affiliated groups that much needed projects such as this can be addressed. Our partners are always looking to recruit new members so if you have a passion for the D&R Canal, local history or any of the natural resources and trails managed by the park then consider becoming an active volunteer with one of our many friends groups. Get off the bench, get involved and become a D&R Canal State Park stewardship champion! New members and volunteers are ALWAYS needed and welcome!

D&R Canal State Park Affiliated Organizations

THE 2023-24 HUNTING SEASON AT SIX MILE RUN: THINGS TO KNOW

Aerial View of Lambertville & The Delaware River

AUGUST 1, 2023:

New Jersey State Park issued permits are available for deer bow hunters to access over 2,000 acres of land within Six Mile Run Reservoir Site. There are also a limited number of firearm permits available for a limited area within the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site. Please carefully read the instructions below to apply for either a bow or firearm permit.

BE ADVISED:  Hunters MUST APPLY FOR A PARK PERMIT TO HUNT ANYWHERE WITHIN SIX MILE RUN. Download/Print the deer hunting map for Six Mile Run by clicking the link below:

SIX MILE RUN RESERVOIR SITE DEER HUNTING MAP - ZONE 14

PLEASE NOTE:

1. One stand/blind permitted per hunter;
2. Parking Permit only needs to be displayed in Hunter Only Lots (see a map for details);
3. Please review the map as permissible hunting areas have changed;
4. Stands are prohibited from being placed directly on Six Mile Run Reservoir property lines or in the view-shed of residents residing directly adjacent to Six Mile Run Reservoir Site.

BOW SEASON:  There will be NO LIMIT on the number of bow permits issued for Six Mile Run. Email, or mail, a completed legible application along with a copy of your current hunting license and government issued identification (ex driver’s license) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. or via US Postal Service to:

D&R Canal State Park
145 Mapleton Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Click the link to download/print the bow season application: BOW HUNTER APPLICANT AGREEMENT SHEET

FIREARM SEASON:  A total of 15 permits will be issued for the 2023/2024 season by a RANDOM lottery. To be considered for the lottery please submit your name with your email and/or phone to Stephanie Fox (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 609-924-5705) by September 30, 2023. If your name is selected the park will notify you and provide you with a firearm application to be completed.

Please direct any questions to Stephanie Fox at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the park office at (609) 924-5705.

BEAR SIGHTING AT SIX MILE RUN

Repair work on the Landing Lane Spillway

 SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

BE AWARE: A call was received at the parks office from a hunter who reported seeing a large black bear at the Six Mile Run Recreation Area on September 13th not far from Skillman's Road between Route 27 and South Middlebush Road in Franklin Township.  We are asking all our park users to be alert and aware when using the trail network or hunting in the area. If you spot a bear immediately notify the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).


BE BEAR AWARE & FOLLOW THESE TIPS:

  1. When possible, utilize trails in groups and create noise as much as possible (talk, sing, clap, play music, etc.). This will alert any bears to your presence and prevent an interaction.
  2. Never feed or approach a bear!
  3. DO NOT RUN. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
  4. Remain calm.
  5. Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
  6. Make sure the bear has an escape route.
  7. The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
  8. If the bear approaches, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head. Group together and pick up small children.
  9. If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
  10. Black bears will sometimes “bluff charge” when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away. Do not run.
  11. If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.
  12. Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear does attack, fight back

REHABILITATION OF THE LANDING LANE SPILLWAY NEAR COMPLETION, TOWPATH OPEN

Repair work on the Landing Lane Spillway

UPDATED - JULY 29, 2023

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority is in the processing of finalizing the rehabilitation of the Landing Lane Spillway adjacent to the Landing Lane Bridge in New Brunswick. This project was undertaken to address previously incurred damage and prevent future erosion of the spillway. Begun in November 2022, the work is now nearing completion.

Towpath Reopening – We are pleased to report that as of July 29, 2023, the towpath has reopened and is once again accessible to our park users.  However, please note finishing work and final aesthetic/landscaping activities are on-going.  

Paul Harenberg of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority can be reached for any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  1. Central NJ Does Exist
  2. New Roof and Door for the Kingston Toll House
  3. New Interpretive Wayside At Bordentown
  4. Welcome Lauren Rojewski

WELCOME TO THE DELAWARE & RARITAN
CANAL STATE PARK

With over 70 miles of linear multi-use path along an historic canal and additional trail networks and connections across several counties, park visitors have much to see, experience and explore here.  So take a look at our site then pack your hiking shoes, grab your mountain bike or strap that kayak to the car and plan a day trip to the D&R Canal State Park.

YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

HIGHLIGHTED NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The D&R Canal State Park Scavenger Hunt Challenge

How well do you know the D&R Canal State Park? Let’s find out! Fill-in the correct responses, rack-up 50 points or more to be considered a D&R Canal State Park expert. Answer everything correctly and you are a D&R genius (80 points)! The first 20 participants to submit their completed scavenger hunt to our Bulls Island  office (2185 Daniel Bray Hwy, Stockton) with at least 50 POINTS of correct responses will receive an item of 50th anniversary swag!

GOOD LUCK!

Click here to access/download/print our 50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt.

Central Jersey Exist Wines; Old York Cellars

April 24, 2024

WASHINGTON RD CANAL
BRIDGE PROJECT CLOSURE

Central Jersey Exist Wines; Old York Cellars

April 22, 2024

SIX MILE RUN CULVERT
PROJECT TO RESUME IN JULY

It's the D&R's 50th!

March 17, 2024

IT'S THE D&R'S 50TH! CHECK OUT
PROGRAMS BEING OFFERED BY OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway

Jan 23, 2024

MILLSTONE VALLEY SCENIC
BYWAY AUDIO TOUR LAUNCHES

January Storm Impact - Millstone Aqueduct

Jan 10, 2024

JANUARY STORM IMPACTS
THE PARK

Sept. 13, 2023

BEAR SIGHTING AT
SIX MILE RUN

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