River Day Trips
Day Trip Waivers
What does the price include?
Rates are per person and are based on the craft you choose. Per-person price includes the rental boat for the day, your paddles and life vests. You will also get FREE, one way transportation and a safety orientation. With any trip you choose, you have the boat all day! You must be back between 5-6 pm, so plan your day accordingly, arrive early and spend the entire day on the river!
If I have a reservation, what time should I get there?
Reservations are booked on the hour. We do our best to honor reservation times. In order to do so, we ask that you show up before your booked time to check-in, sign release forms, and use the facilities to get into your river gear. We will get you up river in a timely manner. On most weekends, you are reserving your boat, and a round-about time. We will be prepared to transport the amount of people we are expecting, although groups arrive at all different times.
Do I need a reservation for a day trip?
Reservations are highly recommended; we accept walk-ins, although not every trip listed is available on a walk-in basis.
Not only will a reservation ensure your preferred trip, you will also save $2.00 a person when you put a deposit down on your reservation. A deposit of 50% is required for all reservations. You can take advantage of the $2.00 per person savings up to the night before! Certain days and time periods get very busy. It is always best to call ahead and let us know the size of your group, what kind of boats you want and what time we can expect you.
When is the best time to go?
The diverse seasons our region offers are all truly unique. The Delaware River is an amazing place to be any time of the year and especially great in the spring, summer and fall. We operate April through October weather permitting. In the off season it is important to call ahead, as some river bases do not operate daily.
We are busiest on weekends and holidays including; Independence Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Reservations are highly recommended for these dates.
The river height varies by season and the current weather. The Delaware River’s levels do not rely on dam releases. Call ahead for river conditions including height and temperature. We get updated information daily.
The Upper Delaware offers Class 1 & 2 rapids for rafting. You will paddle through some incredibly scenic areas and through some great sets of rapids including: Skinners Falls, Colang, Kunkeli, Cedar, Shohola, Staircase, Mongaup, Butlers Rift, Mill Rift and Eddy Farm.
What do I bring on a day trip?
Recommended items to bring on a canoe, raft or kayak trip:
Equipment
- Small and Large Trash Bags for your litter…Leave No Trace!
- Plastic/ Waterproof/ Ziploc Bags…for personal items (we sell a variety of different sized dry bags at our river bases)
- Backpack
- Matches/Lighter
- Rope/Cord
- Fishing pole & bait if desired (licenses are required and must be obtained individually)
- Camp chair (we sell a variety of chairs at some bases)
- Camera/Binoculars
- Extra Batteries
- Chap Stick
- Cell Phone in a waterproof container
Picnic Lunch
- Cooler with Food and Drink- NO GLASS containers (You may be fined in the park for having glass)
- Extra water for everyone- Stay hydrated!
- Ice- we sell bagged ice at most bases
Clothing
- Hiking shoes
- River sneakers / Sandals with straps / Water shoes
- Extra dry socks
- Rain gear
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sunglasses with straps
- Hat/visor
- Windbreakers
- Extra change of clothes
What else should I expect?
- There is limited cell phone reception in our area, especially at the river bases.
- There is limited 3G & 4G, so prepare your driving directions before hand.
- We recommend taking your cell phones on the river in waterproof containers. We sell a variety of waterproof bags and plastic containers.
- Obey local speed limits.
- To clean up after yourself, anything you bring with you, bring back!
Overnight Paddle Trips
Overnight primitive river camping trips in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Overnight Paddle Trip Waivers
What kind of boat can I rent?
Canoes, Kayaks and Solo Canoes are available for overnight trips.
What is the price?
Overnight trips are charged per person, per day, and include free camping. You will camp on the first-come first-serve National Park Service designated sites. If you are out 2 days and 1 night, you pay for the rental for 2 days. On your second day you should be arriving at your ending location by 5pm.
What time should I get there?
Reservations with deposits are required for overnight river trips. Meeting times are strategically set to ensure our customers get out on the river early. We pick people and gear up at Smithfield Beach and the Delaware Water Gap once each morning. It’s important you have correct directions and you know where and when you are supposed to be meeting! Please be courteous, meet on time so other groups are not delayed. If you miss your ride, call the office and we can see what other trips you can take. Pack light, you will need time to load our trailer with your gear.
How should I pack and what should I bring?
You will need to bring all your overnight camping gear- not the kitchen sink! Pack light.
We do not rent camping gear. Prepare your gear in large garbage bags or in tarps to keep it dry while you paddle.
Equipment to bring
- Tent
- Sleeping bag & camp pillow
- Tarp
- Flashlight
- Extra Batteries
- Small and Large Bags for your trash…Leave No Trace!
- Matches/Lighter
- Plastic, Waterproof Containers or Ziploc Bags (we sell them at the Dingmans Base too)
- Backpack
- Rope/Cord
- Fishing pole & bait if desired (licenses are required and must be obtained individually)
- Camp chair (we sell small folding tri-pod chairs)
- Camera/Binoculars
- Playing cards
- Cell Phones in a waterproof container
Cooking
- Food and Drink- NO GLASS containers- (You may be fined in the park for having glass)
- 2 Gallons of water per person (at least)
- Cookwear and Camping cooking utensils
- Cooler and Ice (we sell ice, quantities are limited at the Dingmans Base)
Clothing
- Hiking shoes
- River sneakers / Sandals with straps / Water shoes
- Warm nighttime camp clothes, extra dry socks
- Multiple layers for cooler temps (no cotton)
- Rain gear
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sunglasses with straps
- Hat/visor
- Windbreakers
- Extra change of clothes
Toiletries to bring
- First Aid Kit/Sunblock/Chap Stick/ Toilet Paper/ Daily use hygiene items
What are the rules in the Park? Where can I find a campsite map?
LINK to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Camping Rules, Safety and Campsite Map with distances.
What else should I expect?
- There is limited cell phone reception in our area, especially at the river bases.
- There is limited 3G & 4G, so prepare your driving directions before hand.
- We recommend taking your cell phones on the river in waterproof containers. We sell a variety of waterproof bags and plastic containers.
- Obey local speed limits.
- To clean up after yourself, anything you bring with you, bring back!
