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Trail Sections

Trail Status Key

  • Complete, open and improved
  • Obstruction within trail section, see description
  • Planned Future linkage and trail development
  • Unimproved open, travel at your own risk

Towns

Things to Do

Trail Section: Washington Crossing (Upper) – Washington Crossing (Lower)

Status: Obstruction within trail section, see description

Distance: 4.1

UPDATE 2/27/2024: TOWPATH CLOSURE (MILE 21.8) The D&L Trail will be CLOSED at Bowman’s Hill Wastegate in Upper Makefield Twp to all pedestrian traffic at Bowman’s Hill Wastegate, starting February 27th until further notice, due to construction.  The purpose of this closure is for PUBLIC SAFETY.  Trail users should turn around at the closure and should NOT attempt to get by it.

UPDATE 10/12/2023: Water in the Delaware Canal will be drawn down beginning on October 13, 2023 from New Hope through Bristol to perform debris removal and other work associated with the 7/15 storm event. Work will take place at multiple locations and rolling trail closures can be expected. When work is complete, water will be reintroduced. Please contact the Delaware Canal State Park for more information at 610-982-5560 or [email protected]

This section of the D&L Trail connects the upper and lower sections of Washington Crossing Historic Park.  Trail users can visit Thompson-Neely Homestead and Bowman’s Hill Tower in the Upper Park and the Visitor’s Center and town of Washington Crossing near the Lower Park. Near Bowman’s Hill Tower is Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, a non-profit that showcases a diverse collection of native plants on 100 acres of fenced forest with 2.5 miles of hiking trails. This section is part of over 50 miles of the D&L Trail designated as National Recreation Trail within Delaware Canal State Park from Easton to Bristol near Philadelphia. For more information specific to the D&L Trail along the Delaware Canal please refer to the Delaware Canal State Park and Friends of the Delaware Canal websites.

Download a PDF map of this section

Things to Do

1

Bowman’s Hill Tower

Rising 125 feet in the air atop Bowman’s Hill and offering a 14-mile view on a clear day, Bowman’s Hill Tower is a favorite stop for locals and tourists alike. The Tower is located near the corner of Rt. 32... More

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2

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve showcases an extraordinary diversity of plants native to Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley region. The Preserve focuses exclusively on native plants, as distinguished from botanical gardens that may include natives in their collections. The Preserve cares... More

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3

David Library of the American Revolution

The David Library of the American Revolution is a specialized research library dedicated to the study of American history circa 1750 to 1800.  The David Library is a non-profit educational institution.  Our mission is the collection and dissemination of information on... More

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4

Delaware Canal State Park

The Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19th century. Mule- drawn canal boat rides and the Lock Tender’s House Visitor Center are at New Hope. Paralleling... More

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5

Washington Crossing Historic Park

At Washington Crossing Historic Park, George Washington led his ragged troops cross the ice-choked Delaware River and assaulted the unsuspecting Hessians at Trenton. His victory bolstered sagging morale, changing the course of the American Revolution. The site of the crossing... More

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