Boating

NPS

 

Mandatory Life Jacket Wear Regulations

Life jackets are required to be within reach of anyone in a boat, tube, or vessel while on the river.
They are required to be worn by children 12 years old and younger and by everyone when the river level reaches 6 feet or above. During the cold water season from November 1st to April 30th, everyone is required to wear a life jacket regardless of water level.

 

Winding through highlands scenery from Hancock, NY, to just north of Matamoras, PA, the Upper Delaware River is the longest free-flowing river in the Northeast. The river provides ample opportunities for boating, paddling, and floating on the river in a variety of vessels. With riffles, rapids, and placid pools, river users can experience an exciting paddle or a peaceful float.

The Upper Delaware's boating season extends from mid-April through October. The water, even in summer, can be cold enough to cause hypothermia. Despite sometimes appearing slow and shallow, the river hides hidden currents, steep drop offs, and deep 12-18 foot holes. Before you head out on the water, please take time to plan out your river trip and familiarize yourself with river conditions, boating regulations, and life jacket wear regulations.

 

Looking to Float or Paddle?

Recommended Paddling & Tubing Trips

 

Plan Ahead and Be Prepared

Communicate: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have a plan and you tell someone staying on dry land where you're going and when you expect to return. Also be aware that there is limited cell phone service in the park and in some areas you may not have cell phone reception.

Plan For the Return Trip: There are no public shuttles, public transit, or ride-sharing services along the Upper Delaware River. Unless you are renting equipment from a livery which offers shuttling services, make a plan on how you will get back to your vehicle after your trip. Most visitors will leave one car at their starting point and another at their ending point.

Calculate Your Paddling Time: Paddling times can vary greatly depending on river height and conditions, wind, paddling skill, and the type of vessel being used. At an average river height of 2.5 - 4 feet, average paddling speed is 2 – 2.5 miles per hour.

 

 

Boating Regulations, Rentals, and Licenses

There are no park fees associated with paddling on the river. However, the use of motorized boats and fishing require the appropriate licenses. Do your research ahead of time to make sure you have the right licenses and knowledge to start your adventure on the river. Both Pennsylvania and New York state have boat safety certificate requirements to operate motorized boats within their waters.

A variety of private liveries operate along the Upper Delaware River. These companies offer watercraft and equipment rental, life jackets, and typically a shuttle back to your vehicle after your trip. Some liveries also have campgrounds and offer guided river trip services.

 

Please Stay on Public Lands!

The Upper Delaware River is surrounded by private property. Please respect landowners and do not stop or get off on private property. Please see our public river accesses page for a list of public accesses you can use on the river. 

 

Boating and Watercraft Regulations

For more information on park boating operation and life jacket wear policy, please see the Superintendent's Compendium.

Launching and Recovering Vessels

Launching and recovering boats and other vessels are only permitted at the following sites:

• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Comission accesses with launch ramps
• New York Department of Environmental Conservation accesses with launch ramps 

At the following sites, vessels may only be launched by hand:

• Ten-Mile River Access
• At the following New York Department of Environmental Conservation accesses:
  • Hancock
  • Lordville
  • Cochecton
  • Skinner's Falls
  • Highland
  • Barryville
  • Mongaup

This provision does not apply to landowners launching and retrieving watercraft from their private property. 

Operating a Vessel in Excess of Flat Wake Speed

Operating a vessel in excess of flat wake speed is prohibited within 100 feet of shoreline, docks, launch ramps, swimmers, or downed skiers, waders, anchored or drifting boats.

Use of Personal Water Craft (PWC)

Use of personal watercraft (PWC) is prohibited.

Personal watercraft refers to a vessel, usually less than 16 feet in length, which uses an inboard, internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion. The vessel is intended to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull. 

Towing People using a Vessel

Waterskiing is permitted only in the Narrowsburg pool. Towing someone using a parasail, hang-glider, or other airborne device requires a permit.

Life Jacket Wear Regulations

• Life jackets are required to be within reach for everyone when on a boat, tube, or any other vessel or watercraft. One life jacket is required per person. 

• Life jackets are required to be worn for children 12 years old and younger at all times

• Life jackets are required to be worn by everyone when the river height is 6 feet or above, as measured at the Callicoon and Barryville gauges.

• Life jackets are required to be worn by everyone in between November 1st - April 30th due to risk of cold water shock. 

 

 

Keep an Eye Out for Stowaways!

Keep an eye out for stowaways on your vessel! We aren’t taking about a rogue human runaway, but non-native plants, animals, and other little creatures which can cause havoc if introduced into the Upper Delaware River region. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can introduce disease, transform habitats, and outcompete native species, negatively impacting the river ecosystem. Help the park keep the river clean and free of invasive species by following the Clean, Drain, Dry method:

• CLEAN off any aquatic plants, animals, mud, sand, and other debris from your boat, watercraft, gear, boots, paddles, anchor, ropes, or any other equipment used. Do this before you arrive.

• DRAIN all water from the boat, including from the motor, live and bait wells, bilge, and any other compartments. Do not dump water or organisms from one body of water to another.

• DRY all equipment for at least five days in the sun or with high-pressure, hot water. Dry with a towel before reuse.

 

 

Stay Safe on the Water

Be Situationally Aware: The river includes riffles, Class I and II rapids, and eddies. Its average depth is 4 to 5 feet, but 12- to 18-foot holes are common, and many are even deeper. Please extend caution and look out for obstacles such as boulders, bridge piers, fallen trees, and eel weirs (large "V"-shaped wooden structures).

Check the Weather and River Conditions: Before heading out on the water, always check the weather forecast, the park’s current conditions, and river levels. The US Geological Survey (USGS) provides detailed information on the Upper Delaware River water temperature, discharge, and river level height at the Barryville and Callicoon gauges. Learn more about river conditions and related paddling recommendations.

Call the Upper Delaware River Hotline: Call 845-252-7100 to receive daily information about the river height, temperatures, and boating conditions.The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from April 1st to October 31st. Check ahead so you can come prepared.

However, the river is dynamic and constantly changing. Upstream releases can affect water depth and speed. Recent high-water events and storms can change the river landscape, creating and uncovering new obstacles. Always be mindful of your surroundings and even if you have paddled in a section of the river before, do not assume conditions will be the same if you return.