Breaking News & Updates
New Trailhead to Reopen on June 6
The facility, which has public bathrooms, is adjacent to the Delaware Canal near the Scudder Falls (I-295) Toll Bridge’s Pennsylvania abutment. It is accessible from the Commission-owned park-and-ride lot at the corner of Taylorsville and Woodside roads in Lower Makefield, PA. Once reopened, the building will be accessible dawn to dusk seven days a week except when cleaning work is taking place.
The building, which the Commission owns and maintains, was closed temporarily in the interest of public health and safety due to fast-spreading coronavirus infections in mid-March.
Two Towpath Closures in Tinicum Township
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
From Devin Buzard, Delaware Canal State Park Manager –
We are anticipating an approximate 2 week (1 weekend) closure at the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge beginning May 11. This is for the bridge restoration crew, working for the County of Bucks, to safely work on the metal substructure.
In addition to Uhlerstown, it has come to my attention that towpath at the Tinicum Aqueduct has been fully closed for approximately 5 days, and it is anticipated that this closure with no detour will be in effect until the end of July.
This closure is required in order to sandblast and paint the metal structure of the aqueduct and foot bridge as well as to replace the decking and metal railing. This area presents a very high danger for injury or death to anyone attempting to enter the posted/restricted construction site. There is no safe detour for this closure and all towpath traffic must turn around.
Towpath to Close Intermittently at Scudder Falls
April 20, 2020
INTERMITTENT TRAIL CLOSURE: The towpath may be closed in the area of I-95/I-295, Scudder Falls Bridge, intermittently through end of May 2020. Closures may occur between 6am-5pm Monday through Friday; the trail will be open on weekends. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) will be conducting work on the new bridge over the canal and towpath during these closures. For additional information please visit the DRJTBC website at www.scudderfallsbridge.com or you can contact the toll-free info line at 855-495-7726.
Towpath to Close at the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge
April 17, 2020
A contractor working for the County of Bucks, owners of the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge, will begin repair work on the bridge roof on Monday, April 20. The towpath will be closed for approximately four days. Thereafter, the towpath may be closed intermittently as other repairs are undertaken.
Signage will be placed at the towpath trailhead at Tinicum Park advising visitors to head south rather than north. The accesses to the north at the Giving Pond and Jugtown Hill Road will also be signed. Please remember that the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath in New Jersey is currently closed, so doing the Uhlerstown/Frenchtown – Bulls Island/ Lumberville PA/NJ Canal Loop will not be possible.
Tree Down Between Levittown Shopping Center and Haines Road
April 10, 2020
A large tree fell down across the towpath between the Levittown Shopping Center and Haines Road. It fully obstructs the trail. The State Park maintenance crew will tackle it next week, most likely on Tuesday.
Wy-Hit-Tuk Park Closed
April 9, 2020
Wy-Hit-Tuk Park, located south of Easton, has closed as are all other Northampton County Parks. The Canal towpath cannot be accessed from this site.
PA/NJ Loop Trail System Closed
April 7, 2020
The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park in New Jersey will close as of 8 p.m. today, April 7.
The consequence of this action is that the PA/NJ Loop Trail system will not be usable. Park visitors will not be able to cross between the Delaware Canal towpath in PA and the D&R Canal towpath in NJ at the following locations:
- Uhlerstown, PA – Frenchtown, NJ
- Lumberville, PA – Bulls Island, NJ
- Centre Bridge, PA – Stockton, NJ
- New Hope, PA – Lambertville, NJ
- Washington Crossing, PA – Washington Crossing, NJ
- Morrisville, PA – Trenton, NJ
The Delaware Canal State Park towpath in PA remains open for passive bicycling and walking. Currently the towpath is very crowded, so maintaining a distance of at least six feet apart is vital. If the Park is too busy, consider returning at another time or exploring your backyard or neighborhood.
Please help keep the Delaware Canal State Park safe and clean by following these practices:
- Do not hike or recreate in groups – go with those under the same roof and stay six feet apart.
- Use the bathroom before you visit.
- Bring a bag and carry out your trash.
- Clean up after pets.
- Avoid activities that put you at greater risk of injury, as there is limited staff to assist.
Meanwhile, the Friends are working remotely. Contact us at friends@fodc.org or call 215-862-2021, though the phone response may take a bit longer.
Enjoy spring and be safe, please.
Parks Closed Until April 30; Parking Lots and Trails Accessible
March 23, 2020
DCNR Extending Closure of State Park and Forest Facilities Statewide, Open Spaces will Remain Accessible as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking.
Dunn noted this includes campgrounds, cabins and all overnight accommodations. Anyone with reservations in this time period will be contacted, and full refunds will be made.
“During the past week we’ve seen many people hiking trails and heading to the outdoors as a way to get exercise and relieve stress,” Dunn said. “We remind everyone that it’s OK to go outside, but we should still be practicing social distancing to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“This means we should spread out for outdoor activities – if you visit a public place and the parking lot or trailhead is crowded, try another spot, or head back to your neighborhood to take a walk if that’s possible,” Dunn said.
Closed DCNR facilities include:
- Park and forest offices and visitor centers
- Restrooms
- Campgrounds, cabins and all forms of overnight accommodations
- All reservable facilities
- Public programs, events, and trainings are canceled through April 30
The best advice to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to stay home. If you are looking to be outdoors, stay as close to home as possible including your backyard, neighborhood, or local park or trail unless they are crowded (check first to make sure they are open, as some local parks are closed).
Visitors can help keep state parks and forest lands safe and clean by following these practices:
- Avoid crowded parking lots and trailheads
- Use the bathroom before you visit
- Bring a bag and carry out your trash
- Clean up after pets
- Avoid activities that put you at greater risk of injury, as there is limited staff to assist
To help avoid exposure to COVID-19 and still enjoy the outdoors:
- Don’t hike or recreate in groups – go with those under the same roof, and adhere to social distancing (stay 6 feet apart)
- Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow
- If you are sick, stay home
Pennsylvania has 121 state parks, and 20 forest districts.
Information about state parks and forests is available on the DCNR website. Updates also are being provided on DCNR’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Parks Closed Until March 31; Towpath and Parking Lots Accessible
March 17, 2020
Pennsylvania State Parks Facilities will be closed for 14 days effective Tuesday, March 17 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, all buildings at the parks, including park offices and restrooms, will be closed, and all events and public educational programs will be canceled. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, rivers, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking. All overnight and day use rental facilities will be closed. While these park facilities are closed, state park rangers and park managers will continue to work to ensure security and that public safety is protected.
Delaware Canal State Park Closed Between March 15 and March 29
March 14, 2020
From the Delaware Canal State Park Manager:
Delaware Canal State Park will be closed for 14 days effective Sunday, March 15th to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ( The towpath trail may be used.) As part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, all of the parking lots and buildings at the parks, including park offices and restrooms, will be closed, and all events and public educational programs will be canceled. While this park is closed, state park rangers and park managers will continue to work to ensure security and that public safety is protected. The towpath trail may be used during this time.
From the Friends of the Delaware Canal:
As part of the Park, the Locktender’s House in New Hope will also be closed. We will be working remotely, so don’t hesitate to e-mail friends@fodc.org. You may also call 215-862-2021, but a response could take a bit longer. Both the Friends’ Lunch and Walk scheduled for March 28th and Canal Clean-Up Day scheduled for April 4th have been canceled.
