D&R Canal Trail

The Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail is a roughly 77-mile (124-km) pathway through central New Jersey with crushed stone surfaces and paved sections through towns. It follows the route of a historic canal system and offers multiple entry and exit points for walkers and cyclists.

The canal was built in the 1830s to connect Philadelphia and New York City, revolutionizing freight transport between the two cities. When rail and highway systems replaced canal shipping, the towpath was preserved and eventually converted into a recreational trail for public use.

Historic structures like lock keeper houses and canal-era buildings dot the trail, showing how people lived and worked along this route in the 1800s. These buildings help visitors understand the daily life of those who depended on the canal for their livelihood.

Access points are spread along the route, making it easy to start from different locations depending on where you're staying. The trail surface varies between crushed stone and pavement, so appropriate footwear helps you walk comfortably for longer stretches.

The trail preserves original concrete mile markers from the canal era alongside modern distance markers placed every half mile. This blend of old and new markers gives walkers a tangible connection to the route's past while navigating it today.

Location: New Jersey

Website: http://dandrcanal.com/park_

GPS coordinates: 40.47540,-74.57140

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01