Animal life is an essential part of the Canal Park ecosystem. Explore the best rated trails in New Jersey, whether you're looking an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Columbia Trail and Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail.With more than 81 trails covering 436 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. No horses, motorized vehicles, or ATVs are permitted. e . A connection is also possible, along city streets, to the segment of the park that runs north from Mulberry Street in Trenton to New Brunswick (see separate trail guide for D&R Canal State Park, Somerset County). This segment of the Canal Park, from Bulls Island to Trenton, connects on the northwest along the Delaware River end to the Belvidere and Delaware Railroad Canal segment of the park (see separate trail guide). Bulls Island is one of New Jersey’s finest family campgrounds. An historic stone shelter, built in 1934 by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) is perched on the summit.Mountain Crossings Outfitters at Neels Gap is t… In 1973, the D&R Canal and numerous structures along the canal were put on the National Register of Historic Places; in 1974 the New Jersey Legislature created the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park and the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, beginning the long process of developing a priceless recreational and natural resource with links to many historic sites. The main intake for the canal is located at the northern section of Bull’s Island. Our coalition of 100 clubs and 10,000 individuals supports and tends a network of 2,100 miles of trails. Those bridges allow walkers and bikers to make loops using canal paths on both sides of the Delaware River. The main intake for the canal is located at the northern section of Bull’s Island. The 22-mile long feeder canal was built in the 1830s as part of the overall construction of the D&R Canal. It is located within Delaware Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. More about Bulls Island. This system, encompassing over 150 As of January 16, 2019, the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices is prohibited in all state parks, forests, historic sites, marinas and recreation areas. She's a drop-dead knockout. 08559 (609) 397-2949 There ain't no bull on this island. 1.8 miles to Moores Station (Pleasant Valley Road)-Parking is available. There are plans to provide a path making the connection. Shrubs include witch hazel, arrowwood, viburnums, and others. 2.9 miles to Prallsville Mill and guard lock (off Route 29)- Parking available.Be sure to explore the historic Prallsville Mill in Stockton. Intake of the D. & R. Canal- No parking. Continue on New York Avenue to Mulberry Street. An excellent map is available in versions for viewing and printing. Unmarked, but the towpath and other trails are generally obvious. Second, it has provided water to meet the growing residential and industrial needs of New Jersey; shipping on the canal ended in the 1930s, and the canal was then rehabilitated to serve as a water supply system. This is one segment of the 70 mile long Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. There is no path connecting the summit at Old Rose Street with the Main Canal heading north to Princeteon and New Brunswick, because the canal itself is covered in that section. Bull's Island State Recreation Area covers 24 acres of Bull's Island. Points of access to this segment of the park trail are all off Route 29. Bull's Island Recreation Area comprises a portion of a small forested island surrounded by the Delaware River and the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The 79-acre Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.It offers a boat launch, fishing, and a nature trail. From I-95, take Exit 1 and follow Route 29 north to entry points between Lambertville and Scudders Falls, and south to entry points between I-95 and Trenton. Delaware Canal: Bulls Island Bridge to Tohickon Creek Aqueduct. 0.3 miles to Calhoun Street, Trenton – No parking. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference builds, maintains, and protects hiking trails in the NY-NJ Metro region and educates the public about their responsible use. To report a trail or maintenance issue of a trail listed on this website, please email 0.5 miles to Wilburtha Road, Ewing-No parking. It is the site of Bull's Island Recreation Area. For now, walkers and cyclists can follow city streets to make the connection, as follows: From the canal at Old Rose Street there is a path to Southard Street. A foot bridge crosses the river for a pleasant, undisturbed stroll from Pennsylvania and cars can access the island from the New Jersey side. The outer floodplain is home for trees such as willow, river birch, sycamore, and introduced species such as box elder. But the feeder canal also became a useful shipping route. Go to D&R Canal State Park. 0.5 miles to Lambertville Lock -Parking available(accessed from Bridge Street). PARK ADVISORY: No Smoking in New Jersey state parks, forests, historic sites, marinas andrecreation areas. Bull's Island Recreation Area covers 80 acres of land, located on Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29) in Hunterdon County, 7 miles north of Lambertville, New Jersey. Leave no garbage behind. Numerous roads and trails provide opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation around the island. Trail Etiquette. Take the first right on to Brunswick Avenue, the first right onto Sylvester Avenue, and the first left onto New York Avenue. Several rare plant species are found in this natural area. Accessibility: This concrete, packed gravel, grass, and wooden bridge trail is estimated to typically be at least 4 feet wide. Chart of Trail Distances and Parking Availability. It is bounded by the Delaware River to the east and the canal to the west. Bulls Island is one of New Jersey’s finest family campgrounds. It has stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. There is at least 1 ADA-compliant car parking spot with an access aisle at the paved trailhead lot. Bulls Island Is Not For Everyone. The island sits on 80 acres of immaculate land in the middle of the Delaware River.… There’s an office open during business hours that has a nice historic display on the building of the canal. It was established in 1932 to help wildlife and to preserve their habitat. #1 Raven Rock, New Jersey Settlement Updated: 2020-03-19 Raven Rock is an unincorporated community and hamlet along the Delaware River approximately 3 mi north of Stockton along New Jersey Route 29. Walks or bicycle rides can begin and end at these various points (remember to double the distances! The island consists of maritime forest, fresh and brackish water impoundments, salt marsh, and sandy beaches. Bull Island is an island in South Carolina. Please be respectful of nature and others on the trail. 0.4 miles to Prospect Street, Trenton- No parking. See Trail Description section for specific distances or check the website. The Cape Romain Refuge is one of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. BULL’S ISLAND Recreation Area Wetland Forest Open Field or Grass Water D&R Canal Trail (70 mi) D&L Trail (Pennsylvania) Paved Path Bull’s Island Natural Area Trail (0.82 mi) Trail Connector Boat Launch Canoeing Fishing Parking Lot Park Office Picnic Area Playground Restrooms Restrooms (Primitive) 8/16 White Oak Trail (1.1 mi) Restricted Area View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. Turn left and continue a short distance to the canal. This stretch of the park runs 22.7 miles from Bulls Island to the “summit” at Old Rose Street in Trenton, following the former roadbed of the old Belvidere and Delaware Railroad. Bull's Island Recreation Area 2185 Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29) Stockton, NJ. Bulls Island, at 5,000 acres, is the largest of four barrier islands found within the Cape Romain NWR. Dug by hand, mostly by Irish immigrants, the feeder canal—50 feet wide and 6 feet deep—was designed to carry water entering from the Delaware River at Bulls Island to supply the main canal from Trenton north to New Brunswick. Turn left on to Southard Street. Chart of Trail Distances and Parking Availability. Delaware Township, NJ 08559. Shad and walleyed pike, important game fish, occasionally visit the canal. It is bounded by the Delaware River to the east and the canal to the west. Saw that there was an opportunity for great shelling on Bull's Island so we had to go! The hike starts in scenic Stockton, NJ, where there are a few options to grab some food before or after the hike. Canal path is a National Recreation Trail, listed on the National Historic Register. In the 1860s and 1870s, 80 percent of the cargo carried on the canal was coal. Bull's Island Recreation Area is situated 710 feet northwest of Bulls Island. #1 - Delaware Canal: Bulls Island Bridge to Tohickon Creek Aqueduct. Step by step directions for your drive or walk. A trail along the towpath of the canal reveals a lowland floodplain forest dominated by sycamore, silver maple and tulip poplar. Bull’s Island also offers picnic grounds, fishing, and a boat launch. 0.2 miles to Old Rose Street, Trenton – No parking. Easily add multiple stops, live traffic, road conditions, or satellite to your route. 1.7 miles to Cadwalader Park, Trenton- Parking available. Welcome to Bulls Island at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refug. 0.8 miles to Bulls Island (park access road from Route 29) Parking available. The Friends of the Mill Association schedule activities throughout the year. Blood Mountain is the first big mountain for Northbounders. Although no wildlife survey has been taken, the wooded sections are sure to support oppossums, raccoons, and skunk, and the meadows doubtless provide home to cottontail rabbits, red fox, and woodchuck. Getting to Delaware River Trail Hike. 0.9 miles to Lower Ferry Road, Ewing – Limited parking. 0.4 miles to Bridge Street (Stockton)- No parking. The Delaware and Raritan Canal as a whole has served three functions since it opened in 1834. From other directions use Route 523 to Stockton from Flemington, Route 518 from Hopewell to Lambertville, and then Route 29 to the desired specific starting point. The 79-acre (0.32 km 2) Bull's Island Recreation Area is on Bull's Island at Raven Rock along the Delaware River approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Stockton, within Delaware Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States.The park is a part of the 3,578 acres (14.48 km 2) Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.It offers a boat launch, fishing, and a nature trail. This 80-acre forested island provides numerous opportunities, including a day use area, playground, boat launch, and a section of the 70-mile D & R Canal Trail. 1.2 miles to Firemans Eddy (Route 29 at Old River Road)-Parking is available. Refuge. It's a great place to walk off a big lunch or breakfast. Herb species will be found such as sensitive fern, may apple, spring beauties, trout lilies, and cardinal flowers. 2.4 miles to Scudders Falls, Ewing (Route 95 at Rte 29) Parking available. Looking for the best trails around New Jersey? This natural area comprises a portion of a small forested island surrounded by the Delaware River and the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The trail is made of fine textured crushed stone and is for hiking, jogging and biking. The canal itself is a good environment for fish: sunfish, white catfish, northern brown bullhead, white and yellow perch, and eastern chain pickerel. A trail along the towpath of the canal reveals a lowland floodplain forest dominated by sycamore, silver maple and tulip poplar. After the canal’s completion, changes were made to allow boats crossing the Delaware from the canal on the Pennsylvania side to enter the feeder canal at Lambertville, opening an important route for shipment of coal from the Pennsylvania mines to meet the booming industrial and residential needs of New York City. trailreport@drgreenway.org. 0.5 miles to Trenton Battle Monument – No parking. 2.2 miles to Titusville (Church Street)- No parking. 0.5 miles to Hermitage Avenue, Trenton- No parking. ), or be made one-way by leaving a car or arranging pick-up at the completion point. Obey the law to keep dogs leashed on all of these trails. 0.8 miles to Bulls Island (park access road from Route 29) Parking available. 1.2 miles to Washington Crossing (Route 546) – Parking available. Bull Island, also known as “Bulls Island”, is an undeveloped barrier island within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. A nice out and back starting from the Bulls Island State Park Rec Area. Several rare plant species are found in this natural area. 0.8 miles to Upper Ferry Road, Ewing- No parking. We often visit Bull's Island after visiting restaurants on the Pennsylvania side of the river. At the bridges across the Delaware River (at Frenchtown, Bulls Island,Stockton, Lambertville, and Washington Crossing ) there are connections across the river to Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal and its 60-mile long path between Easton and Bristol. It was a critical link for nearly 100 years in the network of rivers and canals that linked the Pennsylvania coalfields to New York and other cities. Explore! There are three trails to choose from: The Sheephead Ridge trail (3.7 miles), the Old Fort Loop (6.6 miles), and the Bull Island Wildlife Trail (2.0 miles). D&R Canal State Park – Bull’s Island to Trenton Where the natural vegetation has been disturbed there is an abundance of vines such as Virginia creeper, Japanese honeysuckle, bittersweet, wild grape, and poison ivy. It is a perfect place for a family getaway, offering family campsites, a boat launch, fishing, and a nature trail. The slope is estimated to be moderately steep and range from -6% (downhill) to 6% (uphill) grade. Several rare plant species are found in this natural area. The trail can be entered at 21 points in this segment of the park, 10 of which have Park-designated parking space. Bulls IslandCalled Ponnacussing by the native people in the pre-colonial period, this parcel of land surrounded by the D&R Canal on the east and the Delaware River on the west is known today as the Bulls Island Recreation Area. In the lower inner plain you are likely to find pin oak, silver maple, swamp white oak, red maple, elm, and black gum, and occasionally tulip trees, sycamore, willow, and others. 1 mile to Bridge Street (Lambertville) -No parking. The floodplain generally consists of an outer zone where floods deposit heavier and coarser materials that form a natural levee, and a lower, wetter area further from the river where fine-grained materials such as silt and clay settle. The picnic area at Bulls Island is a great area for picnics. This is where it all begins (or ends). Its third function, and today the most obvious, is that of an informal recreation area. But if you like birding, pristine hiking, beach combing, unmatched naturalist-guided tours through the estuary, bald eagles, alligators, dolphins, otters, and the chance to get away from the mainland, all within 66,000+ acres of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, then Bulls Island might just be for you. A nice write-up for a longer loop hike on the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Bull Hill page (pretty sure that 4.8-mile estimate is a lowball, though) The longer loop hike detailed on Localhikes.com, with plenty of user reviews; This dude’s page where he posts a nice 12-minute video of his Bull Hill hike. Bull Island from Mapcarta, the open map. Length: 78.5 miles (0 to 78.5)Highest Point: 4,458 ft (Blood Mountain)Overview and Why it is Awesome: Springer Mountain has become an iconic landmark for the Appalachian Trail. For more information about the D&R Canal State Park, go to the D&R Canal State Park. Explore the most popular trails in Bull's Island Recreation Area with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. This island was included in a 625-acre tract of land that was granted to Richard Bull and John Ladd by the proprietors of West Jersey in 1712. Bulls Island Boat Ramp is a boat launch on Delaware River, Paunnacussing Creek, and Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey. Bull's Island Recreation Area in Stockton, NJ. Beavers are making a comeback in the feeder canal, and can be seen often in the evening in Lambertville. The picnic area at Bulls Island is a great area for picnics. Canal path is a National Recreation Trail, listed on the National Historic Register. Of course, the day of our reservation, although bright and sunny, was about 42 degrees when we boarded at 9 am. Bulls Island lies three miles off the mainland and is the largest of four barrier islands found within the Cape Romain National Wildlife . Trail distances and parking availability vary along the Feeder Canal. 100 species of birds and other animals and plants. The Bulls Island Recreation Area trail access point for the Delaware and Raritan Canal Path remains closed. Best trails in Bull's Island Recreation Area, New Jersey 72 Reviews Explore the most popular trails in Bull's Island Recreation Area with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 2.3 miles to Jimson Farm (south of Route 202)-Parking available. When out on the trail, please observe social distancing practices and trail restrictions regarding usage of mountain bikes and horseback riding. The raised banks of the canal form the margin of the flood zone along the Delaware River, and thus the boundary between flood plain and upland vegeetation. First it provided an inexpensive means to move freight between the Raritan and Delaware Rivers. Bull's Island sits within the gorgeous 70-mile Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. 0.2 miles to Montgomery Street, Trenton – No parking. This 80-acre forested island provides numerous opportunities, including a day use area, playground, boat launch, and a section of the 70-mile D & R Canal Trail. The hamlet was known earlier as Saxtonville.