Wild and Scenic Upper Delaware
Wild and Scenic Upper Delaware
4
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Known for good paddling water, a seventy-mile stretch on the Delaware River between Hancock and Port Jervis, New York.
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Frank M
Forked River, Nj33 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
If you want to discover a really scenic part of the Delaware River, head up to route 97 in
New York State and travel between Port Jervis and Hancock. The section located on
the lower partion of the drive is particularly appealing since it hugs the sides of the cliff and
winds in and out on a 2-lane snaky paved road. Numerous pull-outs enable you to stop and
admire the view of the river below and the surrounding mountains in both NY and PA. This
is known as Hawk's Nest and it is immediately north of Sparrowbush. In the summer, a lot
of canoe and kayak outfitter companies offer rentals, so you see people boating and fishing
and swimming and sun-bathing along the shores. It is about 90 miles from NYC and you
think you are in another world. Also there are many historic sites to visit as well, dating
from the 1700 and 1800's, namely a fort, an early suspension bridge and small towns.
And it is part of the National Park Service's area of the Upper Delaware National Recreational Area, which means overdevelopment probably will be kept at bay. Hiking trails abound, too.
New York State and travel between Port Jervis and Hancock. The section located on
the lower partion of the drive is particularly appealing since it hugs the sides of the cliff and
winds in and out on a 2-lane snaky paved road. Numerous pull-outs enable you to stop and
admire the view of the river below and the surrounding mountains in both NY and PA. This
is known as Hawk's Nest and it is immediately north of Sparrowbush. In the summer, a lot
of canoe and kayak outfitter companies offer rentals, so you see people boating and fishing
and swimming and sun-bathing along the shores. It is about 90 miles from NYC and you
think you are in another world. Also there are many historic sites to visit as well, dating
from the 1700 and 1800's, namely a fort, an early suspension bridge and small towns.
And it is part of the National Park Service's area of the Upper Delaware National Recreational Area, which means overdevelopment probably will be kept at bay. Hiking trails abound, too.
Written 1 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
krocking123
New York City, NY965 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Driving towards port jervous is down stream and that gives you best views and some pull offs to park and enjoy the the views. Carefully if you have a camper and don’t burn up the breaks on the drive down hill maybe use lower gear.
Written 2 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2312luke
vineland, nj19 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
I am a whitewater kayaker so I want to get to some of the more remote river reaches. The UDWSR is managed by the National Park Service, like the Water Gap region to the south. There are some rapids, but it is by no means a whitewater rush -- if you're looking for good rafting go to Jim Thorpe River Adventures on the Lehigh, or further to the Hudson or Youghiogheny.
If you are interested in a lazy river, easy canoeing, and fishing, this is a good area though. But there is one major drawback -- a lack of public camping. In my experience state and federal campgrounds are the best, but neither the NPS nor the States of New York or PA are interested in providing camping in this region. You are doomed either to drive or risk a private campground. Private camping is dominated by RVers, campers with generators, and worst of all, partyers.
In the end we stayed in Tobyhanna State Park in Pennsylvania. It was a very nice state park, the campsites were mostly nice, but some were just a postage stamp of grass by the bathrooms, so choose carefully when reserving. Also, Pennsylvania manages its wild lands with a particular bias towards private property owners (check out how many private lakeside communities are in the Poconos), towards hunters (state game lands), towards foresters and hunters (the state forest system excepting the state forest trails system, not much of that in eastern PA), and finally, state parks where camping is allowed, just not too close to the Upper Delaware.
The New York side is no better, one must drive all the way to the Catskills to find public camping, not in the neighborhood of the Upper Delaware. This is a shame, but at least we have the river. Had the Feds and the Army Corps had their way, none of it would be public and half of it would have been drowned by a reservoir.
To enjoy this region you must plan carefully and choose wisely as a camper. Check out the Pinchot Trail nearby in PA for longer hikes. The Catskills and New York State's overall land management are much better than PA and not typically as sparse as the Upper Delaware Region. In fact, Northern New Jersey is more public and more accessible and probably more beautiful than the entire Pocono region.
If you are interested in a lazy river, easy canoeing, and fishing, this is a good area though. But there is one major drawback -- a lack of public camping. In my experience state and federal campgrounds are the best, but neither the NPS nor the States of New York or PA are interested in providing camping in this region. You are doomed either to drive or risk a private campground. Private camping is dominated by RVers, campers with generators, and worst of all, partyers.
In the end we stayed in Tobyhanna State Park in Pennsylvania. It was a very nice state park, the campsites were mostly nice, but some were just a postage stamp of grass by the bathrooms, so choose carefully when reserving. Also, Pennsylvania manages its wild lands with a particular bias towards private property owners (check out how many private lakeside communities are in the Poconos), towards hunters (state game lands), towards foresters and hunters (the state forest system excepting the state forest trails system, not much of that in eastern PA), and finally, state parks where camping is allowed, just not too close to the Upper Delaware.
The New York side is no better, one must drive all the way to the Catskills to find public camping, not in the neighborhood of the Upper Delaware. This is a shame, but at least we have the river. Had the Feds and the Army Corps had their way, none of it would be public and half of it would have been drowned by a reservoir.
To enjoy this region you must plan carefully and choose wisely as a camper. Check out the Pinchot Trail nearby in PA for longer hikes. The Catskills and New York State's overall land management are much better than PA and not typically as sparse as the Upper Delaware Region. In fact, Northern New Jersey is more public and more accessible and probably more beautiful than the entire Pocono region.
Written 28 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lonnie L
San Francisco, CA85 contributions
May 2016
Climbing Approximately 1500 feet in about a mile gets you to a most stunning overlook of the Delaware water Gap. Its a bit rugged but well worth the climb
Written 17 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MenglembuMag
New York City, NY427 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Beautiful scenery overlooking the mountains and river along the lower section scenic byway. The lower sections with the zigzag road is awesome.
Written 16 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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