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Delaware Water Gap Canoe

Float the last stretch of the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, a mix of shallow riffles and deep pools, down to Kittatinny Point at the Delaware Water Gap, where the river cuts through Kittatinny Ridge between Mount Tammany and Mount Minsi in a gap more than 365 m (1,200 ft) deep.

For The Reps · Updated

canoe trip scenery for Delaware Water Gap near Pennsylvania
Photo: Delaware Water Gap, southbound along border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, USA October 2006 - panoramio by Gary Miotla, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Pennsylvania, USA
Distance
9.7 km (6 miles) one way
Time
About 2-3 hours of floating at the park's typical current of 3-5 km/h (2-3 mph) at average water levels, plus stops

The route

Smithfield Beach (Pennsylvania) to Kittatinny Point (New Jersey), Middle Delaware River.

Put in at Smithfield Beach on the Pennsylvania side. Most paddlers use a livery with a park commercial use permit (for example Adventure Sports, Chamberlain Canoes, Edge of the Woods Outfitters or Shawnee River Trips), which brings the boat to the put-in and collects it at the take-out.

When to go

Most facilities are open from June to mid-October, and May to October is the busiest time. From 1 November to 30 April everyone in a canoe or kayak must wear a life jacket because of cold water.

Permits and fees

No park entrance fee. Smithfield Beach is an expanded amenity fee area: $10 per vehicle per day from 15 April 2026, although dropping off or picking up at a river access is free. No permit is needed for a day trip; river campsites need a zone permit on Recreation.gov.

Before you go

  • Check the river gauge before you go: at 8 feet or more on the Montague gauge life jackets become mandatory and swimming is banned, and above 15 feet the river is closed within the park.
  • Children aged 12 and under must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times on the river.
  • Wear sturdy footwear: the park warns that old broken glass still turns up in the river.
  • Swimming is prohibited at Kittatinny Point; use the designated beaches if you want a swim.

What to bring

  • A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
  • A dry bag for your phone and keys
  • Water and snacks
  • Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
  • A warm layer, even on a hot day

Getting ready for it

Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.

A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.

Staying safe

  • Strong currents, sudden drop-offs, boat traffic and strainers are the main river hazards, even when the surface looks calm.
  • Cold water: in water of 10-16°C (50-60°F) hypothermia can set in within one to two hours, and faster in colder water.
  • Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov and nps.gov. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.