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 SIX MILE RUN CULVERT IS UNDERWAY

Repair work on the Landing Lane Spillway

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

UPDATE: The rehabilitation of the Six Mile Run culvert is completed. The multi-use trail trail is fully open and accessible for public use.  We thank you for your patience and cooperation while this needed repair work was underway.

OCTOBER 14, 2023

TOWPATH CLOSURE UPDATE: Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20

Work will be underway on the Six Mile Run Culvert the week of October 16th. Please be aware that this will require the closing of the mutli-use trail on both sides of the culvert between 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. There will be no thru traffic between these hours starting MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH THROUGH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH. Signage alerting the public of the closure will be posted at Griggstown and Blackwells Mills. Please avoid this section of the park while construction is underway.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

TOWPATH CLOSURE UPDATE: Monday, September 18 - Friday, September 22

Work will be underway on the Six Mile Run Culvert the week of September 18th. Please be aware that this will require the closing of the mutli-use trail on both sides of the culvert between 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. There will be no thru traffic between these hours starting MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH THROUGH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND. Signage alerting the public of the closure will be posted at Griggstown and Blackwells Mills. Please avoid this section of the park while construction is underway.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority is doing a rehabilitation of the Six Mile Run Culvert that carries the Six Mile Run under Canal Road and the multi-use trail (towpath) in the vicinity of the Blackwells Mills Causeway in Franklin Township. This project will address past repairs on the culvert and prevent future deterioration of the structure. The multi-use trail will be CLOSED to the public at the culvert at times (to be determined) during construction but will be re-open on the weekends whenever it can be done safely. Multi-use trail closures will be kept to the minimum duration and intervals to safely complete the project. The project started on August 21, 2023 and will continue for APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS on, or around, FEBRUARY 2024.

The project will consist of closing Canal Road at the culvert, installing cofferdams in the Six Mile Run and the Canal, excavating the asphalt and fill over the culvert and filling with a lightweight flowable fill, re-paving the road, re-pointing and installing mortar stonework on the culvert headwalls and within the culvert, and other general repairs to the Canal and Canal embankment in this area.

There will be two scheduled durations for the closure of Canal Road. An initial closure starting on August 21, 2023, and lasting for approximately one week for installation of the cofferdams, and a second, longer duration to perform work on the culvert under the road. Additional short term road closures may be required as needed. A detailed work schedule of the project and closures will be posted when finalized. However, do bear in mind that the towpath closure schedule may change due to contractor progress and/or conditions.

The project will require the closing of the multi-use trail on both sides of the culvert with no thru traffic for durations while the work is taking place. Signage will be posted at the Blackwells Mills Causeway trail entrance, Six Mile Run Reservoir Site Parking lot, and the Griggstown Causeway entrance. The trail will be reopened upon project completion.

The project is designed to provide a robust yet historically appropriate repair that serves the varying needs of the public. The goal of this undertaking is to preserve both the structural integrity and historic character of the culvert.

This project will be managed by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, a state agency that operates the D&R Canal as a public water supply source for central New Jersey.

We thank you for your patience as this work progresses.

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..

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..

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.

WASHINGTON ROAD CANAL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UNDERWAY

Trail Closed

JULY 27, 2023
BE ADVISED:

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is initiating the replacement of the Washington Road Bridge over the D&R Canal in Princeton, New Jersey. This project will address structural concerns with the original bridge via construction of a replacement structure.

PROJECT START DATE – JULY 28, 2023
ESTIMATED DURATION – 4 MONTHS.

TOWPATH REROUTE:
Due to the construction activities, the towpath in the immediate vicinity of the Washington Road Bridge will be closed; however, a reroute of the pedestrian towpath will be available for the full duration of construction. From the tow path, pedestrians will be guided northwest along the sidewalk of Washington Road (approx. 185 ft.), crossover through a pathway, and head southwest to the desired towpath entrance.

Canal Closure/Reroute:
Due to the consistent presence of overhead hazards, narrow canal path below the existing bridge, and demolition of the existing bridge, waterway access to the canal in the vicinity of the bridge will be closed for the duration of the project.

However, floating docks will be installed to the north and south of the bridge directly adjacent to the pedestrian towpath which can be utilized as a portage (i.e., take-in/take-out points). Canal users will need to utilize these take-out points, walk along the above-referenced towpath reroute, and utilize the applicable put-in location.

This is a necessary bridge repair/replacement. We apologize for the temporary inconvenience to our park visitors and thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the duration of the project.

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!

Go to top