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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaRE-enactment of Washington's Crossing on Christmas Day NPS photo by Susan Kopczynski
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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Lower Delaware River Scenic Drive PA

Delaware River Scenic Drive begins in Morrisville PA, northeast of Philadelphia on the Delaware River and Route 1. A more direct route is to start at the town of Washington Crossing,  north of Philadelphia in Bucks County PA, at the intersection of Route 32 and 532 on the bank of the Delaware River.

From Washington Crossing, follow Route 32 along the river to Kintnersville PA, then Route 611 north through Easton to Delaware Water Gap at the south end of the park.

Or, for some more adventurous terrain...
If northbound on Route 611, as Route 611 turns inland from the river at Martins Creek PA, bear right off Route 611. If southbound, continue straight after the traffic light in Portland PA to pass the Portland Power Plant. This byway along the river passes through one of the most natural and out-of-the-way sections of the Lower Delaware Valley. Keep your map handy, as you may need to navigate from one village to the next. Drive carefully, and enjoy the Delaware.

 

Information Sources

New Jersey Skylands Tourism District
includes Warren and Hunterdon Counties NJ

Bucks County PA Conference & Visitors Bureau

Greater New Hope PA Chamber of Commerce
Premier tourist destination along the river in Bucks County PA.

 

National and State Parks and Historic Sites in this Area

 

Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (Offices in Easton PA)
A corridor park along the Lehigh River where it joins the Delaware River. Regional museums of early industrial history and two 19th-century canals. Canal barge rides at Easton PA.

Lower Delaware National Wild & Scenic River  (Offices in Philadelphia PA)
Three scenic segments of non-tidal river (67 miles in total) between Easton PA and Washington Crossing PA. Fishing, canoeing, hiking, and level towpath biking.

Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing PA
Site of Washington's offensive in 1776.

Delaware Canal State Park PA
60 miles of canal and towpath along the Pennsylvania bank of the river.

 

Related Sites

The National Canal Museum, Easton PA

New Hope Historical Society, located in historic Parry Mansion

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve offers 100 acres of woods with nearly 1000 native species in naturalistic settings, and native plant sales in Spring and Fall.

Sketch of a hand being scratched by the claws of a bear  

Did You Know?
... that Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is home to hundreds of black bears. The bears are usually peaceful, but they are still large, wild animals that can maul a person. Don't approach or annoy bears! Don't let your dog chase a mother bear or her cubs! NEVER FEED A BEAR!
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Last Updated: January 30, 2008 at 12:54 EST