Forests, Trails and Parks
D &R Canal State Park (NJ Side)
The 70-mile Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is one of central New Jersey's most popular recreational corridors for canoeing, jogging, hiking, bicycling, fishing and horseback riding. This linear park is also a valuable wildlife corridor connecting fields and forests. A recent bird survey conducted in the park revealed 160 species of birds, almost 90 of which nested in the park
Delaware Canal State Park (PA side)
The sixty-mile-long Delaware Canal is part of this great network. Completed in 1832, it runs from Bristol to Easton, where it connects with the Lehigh Canal. The primary purpose of these two waterways was to transport anthracite coal from the northeastern Pennsylvania coal regions to the cities on the eastern seaboard.
John A Roebling Memorial Park
Hamilton/Trenton, NJ
Roebling Park is a part of the Abbott Marshlands, the northernmost tidal freshwater marsh of the Delaware River. The Abbott Marshlands contain a number of different habitats, including tidal and non-tidal freshwater marsh, streams, upland forest, and forested swamps. These habitats support a huge array of plant and animal life, making Roebling Park an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts.
mercercountyparks.org/#!/parks/john-roebling-park-at-abbott-marshlands
South Riverwalk Park
John Fitch Way, Trenton, NJ
South Riverwalk Park was gifted to the Mercer County Park Commission in 2004 by the state of New Jersey. The 6.5-acre park has a historic interpretive area illustrating the history of Trenton and its connection to the Delaware River in five different 100-year sections. Five arches of materials represent the various eras of the city. Beginning before the revolutionary war, through the Industrial Revolution and to the modern era. Each are complemented with granite markers highlighting important events.
Baldpate Mountain
327 Fiddlers Creek Rd., Titusville, NJ
The mountain, part of the volcanic Sourland Mountain Ridge, is the highest point in Mercer County. The forests remain one of the largest and least disturbed tracts of woodland in our region, and a variety of rare birds and wildlife are found there. These elements of culture and ecology make Baldpate Mountain a preserve of both natural and historical significance.
Marine Terminal Park
1485 Lamberton St., Trenton, NJ
This parcel, originally re-developed as a park in the mid seventies served as a port for cargo brought up the Delaware River on ships. The park provides access to the riverfront and for fishing along its entire length.
Millyard Park
S. Clinton Ave., Trenton
Millyard Park is located off of South Clinton Avenue adjacent to the Roebling Marketplace. The 24,000 sf facility is beautifully landscaped with an industrial themed café area, benches and fountain.
Stacy Park
1399 Riverside Drive, Trenton, NJ
Wonderful views across the Delaware are afforded from the upper level while the lower provides a stable landing to fish from or to sit and enjoy the long views across the basin and down the length of the park.
Cadwalader Park
Parkside Ave., Trenton, NJ
Cadwalader Park in Trenton, NJ is the crown jewel of Trenton's recreational system and has provided generations of city dwellers with a taste of the country as envisioned by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. In 2018, D&R Greenway, the Cadwalader Park Alliance and the City of Trenton are announced the opening of the Cadwalader Park Natural Area, where bees, birds and butterflies are among the visitors enjoying the healthy restoration project
Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA)
1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA
the 500-acre park is the departure point from which a battered and dispirited American army launched a counterattack that reversed its long losing streak, preserving its will to fight and maintaining the revolutionary spirit that would lead to independence for the United States. Restored Colonial buildings in the park, such as the Thompson-Neely House and McConkey Ferry Inn, give many clues about living conditions during the Revolutionary era. The park also contains Bowman’s Hill Tower, Revolutionary War soldiers’ graves, stone memorials, picnic pavilions and historic collections.
Washington Crossing State Park (NJ)
355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ
After crossing the icy waters of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, General George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson’s Ferry, at the site now known as Washington Crossing State Park. Originally preserved for its historical significance, the park is also well known for its trails and wildlife habitat. A wide variety of migrating birds use the stream and ravine as a resting place and for nesting. Many bird species winter in the park, creating a perfect location for bird observation year round. The park supports an interesting assortment of plants including mixed hardwoods, red cedar forests, plantings of Eastern white pine, Japanese larch, Norway spruce and red pine. A splendid variety of spring and summer wildflowers can be found throughout the park. Among the most notable species of wildlife are whitetail deer, fox, raccoon, great-horned owl, screech owl, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk and Eastern bluebird. The park also is popular for picnicking and, in the winter, for cross-country skiing on existing hiking trails.
Goat Hill Overlook
21 George Washington Rd, Lambertville, NJ
Goat Hill Overlook is a 213-acre scenic preserve, administered as part of nearby Washington Crossing State Park. The Goat Hill Overlook hike is short, easy, and takes you to a lookout where George Washington once stood to survey the land around New Hope and Lambertville. Actually, Goat Hill Overlook was used by both George Washington and British General Charles Cornwallis to view opposing forces up and down the Delaware River. Goat Hill is also known as Washington’s Rock.
Aquetong State Park
Route 202 and Lower Mountain Rd., New Hope PA
The spring known as Aquetong by the original inhabitants of the land, the Lenni-Lenape, and known as Ingham Springs by European settlers is located just off Lower Mountain Road in Solebury Township. The spring water that flows at the rate of 2,000 gallons per minute was used to power mills along the Aquetong Creek. In 1870 a dam was built to create the lake, and now that dam has been removed and the creek will return to its natural, pre-1870 state. The area of the former lake and its surroundings will be transformed into Aquetong Spring Park.
Lenape Park
54 W Ferry St., New Hope, PA
Lenape Park is a quaint little pocket park in New Hope, located along W Ferry Street toward W Bridge Street, which has lovely brick and stone paths as well as fountain features.
Magills Hill
River Road and Chapel Road, New Hope, PA
a 5-acre site of steeply sloped hills. Magills Hill provides excellent winter sports activities such as sledding and snowboarding on a large hill overlooking the scenic Delaware River. Small picnic area with limited parking.
Canal Park
2520 River Rd, New Hope
Located along River Road opposite Magill's Hill Park. Recreation area has 11 acres of open fields with access to the Delaware Canal. Improvements include a multi-purpose field, parking, trail and access bridge over the canal to the towpath walking trail, and portable restroom facilities.
soleburytwp.org/parks-recreation/pages/facilities-parks-trails
Bowmans Tower
1 Tower Rd, New Hope, PA
Bucks County boasts many scenic spots, but there’s only one place to get an above-the-trees, bird’s-eye view of the surrounding countryside and Delaware River. Rising 125 feet in the air atop Bowman’s Hill and offering a 14-mile view on a clear day, Bowman’s Hill Tower is a favorite stop for locals and tourists alike.
Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Rd, New Hope, PA
Over 700 of Pennsylvania’s 2,000 native plant species grow naturally on the Preserve’s 134 acres. For this richness of native plants, credit the Preserve’s diverse habitats—mature hardwood forests, a meadow, steep hillsides, a creek, two ponds and other wetlands—and three distinct geological zones that influence their overlying soils. founded in 1934, it is the nation's one-and-only living museum specifically devoted to native plants. Wander almost 4-1/2 miles of trails as you reconnect with the natural world.
Brownsburg Park
1455 River Rd, New Hope, PA
37 Acre park with playing fields and walking trails.
Stoney Run Aqueduct
36 Jericho run, Washington Crossing PA
Virginia Forrest State Park
River Road 1 mi. N of Center Bridge, PA
Provides access to the Delaware Canal historic walking trail and the Delaware River. Ample parking, restrooms, and picnic area.
delawareandlehigh.org/map/trail-section/virginia-forest-recreation-area-trailhead-new-hope/
Bulls Island
2185 Daniel Bray Hwy, Stockton, NJ
This 80-acre forested island provides numerous opportunities, including a day use area, playground, boat launch, and a section of the 70-mile D & R Canal Trail. The 42-acre natural area includes two unique forest habitats, the sycamore river birch type and American elm-silver maple type. A pedestrian bridge from the island crosses to the Pennsylvania side of the river and provides open views up and downstream of the middle Delaware River.
Kugler Woods Preserve
Route 29, Kingwood Twp., NJ
Set on the bluffs overlooking the Delaware River in Kingwood Township, the 220-acre property is almost entirely wooded with mature specimen hardwoods, including numerous large sugar maples. Together with adjoining preserved lands, Kugler Woods is part of a large and healthy woodland ecosystem with critical habitat for neo-tropical songbirds that need deep forest areas to breed. Vernal ponds on the property provide habitat for numerous rare plants including wild comfrey, Missouri gooseberry, and hairy lip fern. The woodlands are also habitat for the long-tailed salamander and other wildlife, including turkeys, hawks, owls and coyotes.
www.hunterdonlandtrust.org/portfolio-items/kugler-woods-preserve
Tohickon Valley Park
158-164 Cafferty Rd, Pipersville, PA
612 acre park w trails, camping facilities and fishing areas. The Tohickon Creek is reputed to be one of the cleanest in the state. Tohickon Creek is the second largest stream in Bucks County, next to the Neshaminy Creek. Nestled amongst the woodlands are pileated woodpeckers, the largest in the woodpecker family. Hawks, owls, and woodcocks can also be seen. Raptors are often sighted riding the thermals above High Rocks.
buckscounty.org/government/ParksandRecreation/Parks/Tohickon
High Rocks State Park
150 Tory Rd, Pipersville, PA
Two hundred foot cliffs of red Brunswick shale rise above the creek at this scenic overlook. This rock type is common in Bucks County and formed along an ancient fault line. High Rocks affords climbing enthusiasts the opportunity to scale vertical cliffs and represents one of the major climbing areas in the country.
buckscounty.org/government/ParksandRecreation/Parks/Tohickon
Ralph Stover Park
6011 State Park Rd, Pipersville, PA
The 45 acre Ralph Stover State Park includes a shaded picnic area with drinking water, picnic tables, pavilions, fireplaces and restrooms along beautiful Tohickon Creek. Pass through many habitats as you stroll along the easy walking trails. The creek offers whitewater craft and a challenging course for closed-deck canoes and kayaks during high water conditions.
Sunbeam Lenape Park
Frenchtown Boro, Frenchtown, NJ
Delaware Riverfront Community Park.
Frenchtown Park
Creek Rd, Frenchtown, NJ
Playground, Hiking, Fishing, Ice skating and Bird Watching
Frenchtown Preserve
Part of D&R Canal State Park, the Frenchtown Preserve encompasses 150 acres of open fields and a mixture of cedar and hardwood forest, with frontage on Route 29, the state’s first designated Scenic Byway. The views of the river from the high-elevation fields are breathtaking, and the protection of this property ensures a scenic car ride or bicycle trip for those traversing the byway. The deep, interior forests of the property provide habitat for an abundance of bird species, such as pileated woodpeckers and owls. Black bear have been seen in the area. The fields provide the perfect spot to view the resident osprey and their young, as they return to a nearby nest every season.
Tinicum Park
963 River Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA
This 126-acre park and historic site offers day activities including hiking, boating, biking, ball fields, ice skating, fishing, playgrounds, picnicking and a disk golf course, as well as group and family camping.
Horseshoe Bend Park
178 Horseshoe Bend Rd, Frenchtown, NJ
Horseshoe Bend Park offers sweeping vistas of the Delaware River Valley, rolling hills, forested ravines and pristine streams, and offers habitat to many wildlife species. The 752-acre park offers a venue for horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, and others who favor the peace and tranquility of nature. It includes a 10,000-square-foot event center, leash free dog area, and eleven miles of trails.
Muddy Run Preserve
184 Kingwood Locktown Rd, Stockton, NJ
The 66-acre Muddy Run Preserve borders Lockatong Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River and features an unmarked 3/4-mile trail. It encompasses hayfields, forested areas, and wetlands. Nearby, the Lockatong flows through the seven-acre Lockatong Recreation Area. The property provides wildlife habitat, watershed protection, flood control, groundwater recharge, proximity to other preserved properties, and recreational opportunities.
Giving Pond
1069-1087 River Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA
Giving Pond, a 90-acre pond between the Delaware Canal and Delaware River, is a wonderful place for kids to learn how to canoe or kayak, or to spend time fishing. It also provides opportunities for easy short walks around the pond, and it connects to the Delaware Canal towpath for longer walks. The pond was reclaimed from a disused quarry in 2002, and became part of the Delaware Canal State Park. It has a long, unobstructed central area and smaller offshoot ponds, as well as several islands. Trees and shrubs line the shores.
Tulpehaking Nature Center at the Abbott Marshlands
Tulpehaking Nature Center at the Abbott Marshlands offers insight into the ecological, archaeological, historical and cultural importance of the Abbott Marshlands, a natural oasis just outside of Trenton, NJ, with a wide diversity of plant and animal species.
lenapehoking-watershed-art.com/locations/tulpehaking-nature-center
Hunterdon County Parks
Delaware Tidal Trail
Mercer County Parks
Bucks County Parks and Recreation
Scenic Wild Delaware River
Centers For Mediation and Peace
Cross River Meditation
72 Alexander Ave., Lambertville, NJ
becoming-buddha.com/becoming-buddha-dhamma-classes-and-recordings/
Becoming Buddha Cross River Meditation Center
207 Harrison St, Frenchtown, NJ
Herbs, Plants, Orchards
Herb Society of America
Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum
1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Rte. 29)
Lambertville, NJ