Delaware
1.) Hancock NY/Starlight PA to Port Jervis NY
| Difficulty | I-II(III) |
| Length | 77 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 6 fpm |
| Gauge | Delaware R Above Lackawaxen R Near Barryville Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 38 minutes | 3260 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 8, 2025 |
River Description
The Upper Delaware River forms the border between New York and Pennsylvania and a number of access points along the river are available allowing paddlers to select a section of interest. The Upper Delaware is a federal Wild and Scenic River managed by the National Park Service. In fact it was one of the original 27 rivers designated for study with the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968 and was ultimately added to the system in 1978. NPS maintains a website that includes information on outfitters who provide canoe and tube rentals along with shuttle service.
Reservoirs upstream provide water to New York City but along the mainstem the river flows freely as one of the few undammed rivers in the Northeast with excellent canoeing and fishing opportunities. In fact the combination of proximity to major population centers, consistent flows, and high water quality make this one of the finest canoe trips in the Northeast and one of the most popular canoe rivers in the country.
The National Park Service has a mandatory PFD wear policy when the river is 6' or higher at the gage. This includes Boating, Swimming, Wading or any other entry into the water.
The Mongaup Wave playspot comes near the end of this section ( AW web page for Mongaup Wave).
Catskills Area Reaches
Basic CreekBatavia Kill Bear Kill
Beaver Kill (Delaware Trib)Beaver Kill (Hudson Trib) Beer Kill
...River Features
Put-in - Shehawken River Access, West Branch Delaware River - Starlight, PA
Put-in - Shehawken River Access is on the on the West Branch of the Delaware River just before it joins the East Branch along PA 191 in Pennsylvania. There is a good boat ramp. PA 191, Starlight, PA
Alt Put-in - East Branch Delaware River - Hancock, NY
Put-in - Fireman's Park River Access, East Branch Delaware River -
1070 La Barre St, Hancock, NY 13783
Confluence Pool Access, Hancock NY
Fishermen's Access at Confluence Pool where the east and west branches of the Delaware join and the start of the Upper Delaware Wild and Scenic River.
Stockport Access
Stockport Access - River Rd., Stockport, PA
Buckingham River Access, Dillontown PA
River access on river right with a good boat ramp. Hancock Highway, Equinunk, PA (41.867063,-75.263813). Requires PA Fish and Boat Commission Sticker
Lordville Access
Access is available with a rough boat ramp on the upstream river left side of the bridge. 2054 Warren Rd, Hancock, NY 13783
Long Eddy Access
To reach the access follow Depot Street across the tracks where it turns into Ferry Street and deadends at the river with a boat ramp. 10 Ferry St, Long Eddy, NY 12760
Kellams Bridge Access, Stalker PA
Kellams Bridge is at Stalker, PA. Access is available on the upstream river right side of the bridge at the Soaring Eagle Campground. This is a private access available to customers. NYSDEC maintains a fishermen's access on the upstream river left side of the bridge. The access at the campground offers easier river side access for boaters. Kellams Bridge, Kellam Bridge Road, Long Eddy, NY (41.823937,-75.112437)
Callicoon Access, Damascus PA
Callicoon Access, Damascus PA -
2490 River Rd, Damascus, PA 18415
Requires PA Fish and Boat Commission Sticker
Cochecton Access
Cochecton Access - 22 Newman Rd, Cochecton, NY 12726
Damascus Access
Damascus, PA Access - 1816 Cochecton Turnpike, Milanville, Pennsylvania - Requires PA Fish and Boat Commission Sticker.
Skinners Falls Access
Skinners Falls Access - Skinners Falls W. Rd/NY State Route 44, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 (41.670487, -75.056769)
Skinners Falls Rapid
Skinners Falls Rapid
Narrowsburg River Access
Narrowsburg Access - De Mauro Lane, Narrowsburg, NY 12764
Darbytown Access
Darbytown Access - 2064 Beach Lake Hwy, Beach Lake, PA (41.610937,-75.066937)
Requires PA Fish and Boat Commission Sticker
Ten Mile River Access
Ten Mile RiverAccess - Crawford Road, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 (41.553348, -75.017845)
Lackawaxen/Zane Grey Access
Lackawaxen/Zane GreyAccess - 130 Scenic Dr, Lackawaxen, PA 18435
Requires PA Fish and Boat Commission Sticker
Highland Access
Highland Access - NY State Route 97, Barryville, NY (41.484063,-74.940313)
Barryville Access
Barryville Access -River Road, Barryville, NY (41.476563,-74.912437)
Barryville Rapids
Barryville Rapids
Cowen Farm River Access
Cowen Farm River Access - NY-97, Barryville, NY 12770
Mongaup Access
Mongaup Access -NY State Route 97, Port Jervis, NY (41.425313,-74.757813)
Mongaup Surfing Wave
Access to the river for the Mongaup Wave via the Rio Dam Hydro facility is restricted from Dec. 1 through Mar. 31, due to bald eagle nesting in the area. There are suggestions that, by parking at the takeout bridge, you can access the river legally. This is not verified as yet; use the info at your own risk.
Check out the Inland Surfing Association for info on this playspot, and for a guide to some other area streams. The following is quoted with permission from that site:
'The put-in (and take-out) for the Mongaup wave section of the Delaware River is at the mouth of the Mongaup River as it flows into the Delaware. The parking area is just south of the New York State Route 97 bridge crossing over the Mongaup River. Park on the east side of the road and carry your boat across the road, looking out for cars as you cross the busy highway. Carry your boat down the path that leads to the south bank of the Mongaup River and either put in on the last 100 yards of the Mongaup if there's enough water and you're so inclined, or carry your boat all the way down the path to the Delaware.
'Once you reach the Delaware, ferry across the river to the surfing waves on the far side. There are three excellent surfing waves, one right after the other, with the last one being the most popular only because there is a good eddy against the right bank near that wave. The first two waves are easy to surf, and not too difficult to paddle back up to if you fall off the wave.'
...butt you oughta check out the ISA site, as it has mo info to share.
Downstate New York Area Reaches
Beer Kill Beer Kill, W. Branch
Callicoon Creek, E. Branch Callicoon Creek, N. Branch
Delaware (1.) Delaware (1.5. Mongaup Wave)
Neversink (2.) Neversink, E. Branch
Rochester Creek Rondout Creek (1.)
Rondout Creek (2.) Rondout Creek (3.)
Sandburg Creek Stony Brook (1.)
Take Out - West End Beach, Port Jervis, NY
Take Out - West End Beach, Port Jervis, NY (14 Ferry St, Port Jervis, NY 12771)
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAccess available on the upstream river left side of the Lordville Bridge with an unimproved ramp suitable for trailers.
On the section of the Delaware Wild and Scenic River between Lordville and Long Eddy.
Long Eddy River access on river left at the end of Ferry Street.
On the section of the Delaware Wild and Scenic River between Long Eddy and Kellams Bridge. Looking downstream at one of the riffles on this reach.
Private access with boat ramp available on upstream river right at Soaring Eagle Campground. NYSDEC fishermen's trail on the upstream river left side of the bridge.
Buckingham River access on river right.
River access on river right.
Access on river left at the downstream end of the town of Hancock at the confluence of the east and west branches.