Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River is a scenic & recreational river run by the National Park Service in New York and Pennsylvania.

In the park service’s words

Canoe through rapids and quiet pools as the Delaware River winds its way through a valley of swiftly changing scenery or fish amid rolling hills and riverfront villages in one of the finest fishing rivers in the northeastern United States. The clean water of the Delaware, the last major undammed river in the eastern United States, supports a healthy ecosystem and offers tranquility and excitement.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Hike the Bouchoux Trail to Jensen's Ledges (2 to 5 Hours): A difficult uphill hike leads to a dazzling waterfall and an amazing panoramic view of the Upper Delaware River Valley at the summit of Jensen's Ledges. Along the way, bluestone piles hint at the history of bluestone quarrying. This trail is managed by the New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation.
• Primitive Camping at Buckhorn Natural Area (1 to 3 Days): Camp right on the Delaware River at Buckhorn Natural Area. This is a free primitive camping area, although a permit is required. There are no facilities at this campsite and this campsite can only be reached by boat. However, it is an excellent camping spot for river users interested in multi-day paddling-camping trips
• Float from Damascus to Skinners Falls (1 to 2 Hours): Float this short stretch of river from Damascus River Access to Skinners Falls River Access. This stretch is approximately 3 river miles and takes on average 1.5 hours to float. This stretch of river has no rapids, only riffles and thus should be a relatively peaceful float.
• Float from Mongaup to Sparrowbush (1 to 2 Hours): Float this short stretch of river from Mongaup River Access to the New York DEC river access at Sparrowbush, NY. This stretch is approximately 3 river miles and takes on average 1.5 hours to float.
• Exciting: Paddle from Lackawaxen to Sparrowbush (8 to 10 Hours): Paddle this longer stretch of river with a mix of calm waters, rapids, and rifts from Lackawaxen River Access to the New York DEC river access at Sparrowbush, NY. This stretch is approximately 20 river miles and takes on average 8-10 hours to paddle.
• Float from Lackawaxen to Highland (1 to 2 Hours): Float this short stretch of river from Lackawaxen River Access to Highland River Access. This stretch is approximately 3 river miles and takes on average 1.5 hours to float.
• Fishing on the Upper Delaware River: The pristine and undammed waters of the Upper Delaware River provide excellent habitat for a diverse variety of fish species such as trout, bass, walleye, and shad.
• Moderate: Paddle from Ten Mile River to Lackawaxen (2 to 4 Hours): Paddle this stretch of river with a mix of calm waters and rapids from Ten Mile River Access to Lackawaxen River Access. This stretch is approximately 6.5 river miles and takes on average 2.5 hours to paddle.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is open year-round. Limited river access may occur during winter months due to ice and snow build up on public accesses. River information may be obtained by calling the park's River Hotline at 845-252-7100. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from May 1 to October 1.

Getting there

Many routes will bring you into the river corridor. New York Scenic Route 97 runs parallel to the river and connects Port Jervis, NY and Hancock, NY at each end of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. To the Zane Grey Museum: From NY 97, turn onto the Roebling Delaware Aqueduct and then turn right onto Scenic Drive. The museum will be located on the right. See complete directions on Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River's Directions webpage.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Weather

Spring: Temperatures usually range from lows of 26°F to highs of 80°F with average rainfall of 5 inches. Summer: Temperatures usually range from lows of 55°F to highs of 85°F with average rainfall of 4 inches. Fall: Temperatures usually range from lows of 30°F to highs of 83°F. Fall foliage is at its peak sometime in October as daily mountain temperatures vary frequently and influence the change. Winter: Temperatures usually range from lows of 15°F to highs of 49°F.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 278 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.