The D&L Blog

Summer Adventures Await on the D&L Trail

Summer has officially arrived, although many of us have already enjoyed a few previews of warm-weather adventures along the D&L Trail. In this edition of Dirt on the Trail, you’ll find upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and exciting updates from communities across the Corridor.

In this Issue

Upcoming Events & Reminders
Trail Update
Wild Things on the Trails
From New Hope to Wilkes-Barre and all 165 miles in between! 
Get Your Tail on the Trail this Summer
Trail User Focus Group
Web Map Updates

We’re still smiling after another amazing D&L TrailFest!

Click Here to View the Full Photo Album

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who made this day possible. Your support helped bring the community together for a free, family-friendly celebration filled with outdoor recreation, live entertainment, local vendors, and hands-on activities that highlight the beauty of the D&L Trail.

Our Sponsors: Lehighton Outdoor Center, Sundance Vacations, Blue Mountain Resort & Adventure Park, Marion Hose Bar, 903 Landscape Supply, The Neffs National Bank, Crayola, Pencor Services, Inc.

Upcoming Events & Reminders

• 2026 Trail Tender Events – registration is open for the 2026 Public Trail Tender Events! Join DLNHC and our partners to clean up the D&L Trail this year through litter pick up and vegetation trimming along the trail and around historic remnants like canal locks and railroad turn tables. Our next cleanup is on Wednesday July 22^nd at Lehigh Gap.   

• Trail Volunteer Trainings – are you interested in becoming a D&L Trail Patroller or Adopting-A-Section of D&L Trail? Register for the last volunteer training session in 2026 to learn the skills and get the gear for these important programs. Our Summer training session is Saturday August 8^th at the White Haven Area Community Library. 

• Dirt on the Trail: Directors Cut – didn’t get a chance to join us for the premier? You can catch the recording on our website to hear the latest trail updates, essential trip‑planning resources, two new trip itineraries, program highlights, and upcoming volunteer opportunities across the Corridor in eastern Pennsylvania. This is a must see for all D&L Trail users and volunteers! 

Remember that the summer months can be some of the busiest along the D&L Trail! Follow a few tips below to make sure your warm weather adventure is a success. 

• Trailhead Parking Fills Up Early – be sure to plan ahead and if you can’t hit the trail before the crowds, have a backup parking area in mind.   

• Know Before You Go – do your research and have an itinerary in mind before heading out for the day. Double check the rules for the trail section(s) you’re visiting and see if there are any special concerns for the area (severe weather, air quality, fire risks, large trail events which are everywhere this time of year!). Always have extra water, food, and sun/bug protection on your person and keep a spare change of clothes in the car in case of changing weather. 

• Mind Your Manners – dust off the cobwebs and take a refresher on Trail Etiquette. Stay alert as others may be new to the trail and its rules- pass along knowledge wherever you can to make the D&L Trail an enjoyable space for all.  

• Keep Lassie Leashed – all pets must be leashed when on the D&L Trail and their waste properly disposed of- this includes horses. Your pooch may be as sweet as can be, but other dogs may not be, and remember some people could be allergic or afraid of dogs. Keep your animals safe and by your side. 

Trail Update

DLNHC and the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a major D&L Trail improvement project in Luzerne County. The project will enhance a key section of trail between Oliver Mills and Mountain Top, improving accessibility, safety, and connectivity for trail users while advancing the vision of a continuous trail network throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Learn more about this exciting trail project!

Click Here to See a Preview of the Project

Wild Things on the Trail

Written by Brit Kondravy, Conservation Manager 

From 2014-2024, I lived on an 8-acre horse farm in Hellertown, surrounded by ponds, wetlands, woods, and meadow. With that land and diverse habitat, came the nighttime calls of barred owls and screech owls, the chorus of spring peppers on the first warm humid day of the new year, and the exciting glimpses of eye shine indicating wandering raccoons, red fox, opossums, and deer when the sun set. 

One day I was standing by the pond in the upper field, observing the hundreds of tadpoles darting just beneath the water’s surface, when a calamity of bending branches sounded in alarm in the tree next to me. It was a snake falling to the ground. It hit the grass and slithered away in a mad dash.  I guess I startled it?? 

Another time, a lightning strike brought down a hollow tree in front of our cottage. I noticed chunks of comb filled with honey and honey bee larvae scattered across the road and still clinging to the inside of the broken tree trunk. That honeybee colony must have been 50,000 strong. The loss of their home and reserves in the height of summer still feels like a loss.   

All that said, you can imagine what a culture shock it was to move Downtown Bethlehem in 2024. Specifically, into a second story apartment, with no front porch, and no backyard. I often found myself pressed against the glass in the kitchen window, peering down at a neighbor’s unruly back yard, in search of the few critters I had previously glimpsed–  a laid-back groundhog who’d rest on the deck stairs, leg dangling over the edge, a cautious opossum who’d sniff the yard head down, in search of something to eat, and two spirited city squirrels who have come to expect snacks from the local humans.

Now, what I did gain from the move was direct access to an extremely walkable community, along with access to the Lehigh River and D&L Trail – located less than a mile from my front door. And it was in these spaces that I began to search for the wildlife I was missing.  

As I explored the trails and waterways near my home and workplace, keeping an eye and ear out for wildlife and the clues they leave behind, I quickly discovered that nature was thriving all around me. Here’s what I found.

Common Snapping Turtle

Lehigh Canal at Sand Island 

Watch Video

Pileated Woodpecker

Hugh Moore Park, Easton 

American Robin

One of the most familiar birds in North America, the American Robin is a common sight along area trails and greenways, often spotted foraging on lawns and open ground.

Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, Hugh Moore Park, Easton 

Watch Video

Can you guess what type of turtle this is at Hugh Moore Park, Easton? 

Witnessing seasonal changes among the plants and animals makes me feel in tune with the rhythms and magic of nature. For those of us who not have yards, the greenspaces found along trails, parks, and other public lands become more important than ever for reconnecting with the natural world.  

And so I encourage all of you, to take the time to appreciate the wild things that call the open space, narrow corridors, and maybe even the tree tops – home.  

Have you noticed wildlife on your local trails, greenways, and blueways? Please share in the comments below!

From New Hope to Wilkes-Barre and all 165 miles in between! 

Written by Alice Wanamaker, DLNHC Economic Development Manager

Trail Towns.  What does that mean to you? (I really do want to know… if you are inspired to share, email me your thoughts). 

To me it means this: New Hope to Wilkes-Barre and all 165 miles in between!  

The Corridor is a special place full of incredibly cool towns and tons of history. Each stop along the D&L Trail in a Trail Town can spark a feeling inside you that makes you want to get out and explore and learn about the town and the people who live and work there. The shop owners, bakers, and brewers who are waiting for you to lock up your bike and come inside to enjoy a nice stop along your adventure.  Whether you are enjoying the Delaware Canal Towpath sections of Bucks County or are exploring the northern region in White Haven, the opportunity to get a glimpse at the historic pathways that sparked the Industrial Revolution are just steps away with amazing places to visit, shop, spend the night and explore in Corridor Trail Towns.  

The official DLNHC Trail Town program started in 2017, and after a full analysis was completed last year we are excited to build upon the strong foundation and continue the work with these goals in mind; clearly develop the overall branding of the program and create a logo and marketing plan, launch an official Trail Town monthly newsletter to share key facts, data and information, and develop an in-person gathering to provide education and networking opportunities to the Trail Town officials and Trail Friendly Business owners.  

As part of the analysis, we commissioned data from the last seven (7) years at key locations along the Corridor including White Haven Borough, Chantilly Goods in Weissport, Catasauqua Borough and New Hope Borough. The analysis provided an opportunity to compare visitor dynamics in official and unofficial D&L Trail Towns between 2019 and 2025. At Chantilly Goods, total annual visits increased by 14%. In White Haven, during the same period, overall visits increased by 11%. In Catasauqua, overall visitation increased by 10%. And in New Hope, overall visits remained unchanged. What we found overall is that the D&L Trail is an important factor in tourism visitation and improving the quality of life in each of the areas.  

As we continue to relaunch the program, you will be hearing more about our established Trail Towns and new communities will be brought into the program. You can learn more about the Trail Town process and stay up to date on our website delawareandlehigh.org/programs/trail-towns-and-businesses/.  

Get Your Tail on the Trail this Summer

Written by Tiffany Serra, DLNHC Trails & Conservation Coordinator

The annual Get Your Tail on the Trail 165-Mile Challenge kicked off on May 1^st, followed by the 165 Challenge Kick-Off Event at the D&L Sand Island Trailhead on May 3^rd. The event featured three unique programs that commemorated the nation’s upcoming 250^th anniversary by celebrating the transportation networks, innovation, and industry that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution and shape the region’s history.

The 1.5-mile walking tour, led by Historic Bethlehem Historic Museums & Sites, invited participants to step back in time as they explored Bethlehem’s Colonial Quarter and learned about the community’s rich heritage. The 3-mile fun run followed the route of the former Lehigh Canal towpath, giving participants a unique opportunity to experience the landscape and historic infrastructure that supported the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, the 12-mile Bike to the Bell ride took cyclists to the site where the Liberty Bell was hidden during the Revolutionary War. Upon arrival, staff from the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum shared the story of the bell’s concealment and its significance in American history.

To continue celebrating our nation’s history, we’re excited to launch a new annual trail challenge for the month of July! Introducing the 17.76 Badge Challenge—a tribute to the spirit of 1776 and America’s 250th anniversary.

Beginning July 1^st, log 17.76 miles on the trail and you’ll earn a commemorative 17.76 Badge, along with an additional prize incentive. It’s a fun and meaningful way to get outside, stay active, and honor the history that helped shape our nation.

Ready to get your tail on the trail? Sign up today!

Trail User Focus Group

We are recruiting diverse trail users from across Bucks, Northampton, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Carbon counties to give valuable input how we can improve the D&L Trail Interactive Map. Participants must be available to participate in three (3) focus group meetings from June to November 2026. The dates for each focus group are yet to be determined.  

Selected participants will share their experience with the current map and their desires for the new one. They will also assist in beta testing the new map before the official launch. If you are interested, submit the form below to be considered.  

Web Map Updates

IMPORTANT NOTE: Our Interactive Map is updated regularly with information provided by landowners. Please note, an update will remain posted with the original posting date for as long as the incident is relevant.  

Please check our Interactive Map for current updates before planning any excursions on the D&L Trail.

There are multiple construction projects throughout the Delaware Canal Region and D&L Trail statuses may change weekly. Please practice patience and safety while navigating around these closures as it takes time to properly rebuild the trail. 

• Please be advised that construction is planned on the Glendon Hill Road Bridge in Easton, which will require a closure of the D&L Trail at the bridge crossing. While construction is anticipated to occur during 2026, a start date has not yet been announced. During the closure, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will not be permitted across the bridge. Trail users should plan accordingly and follow all posted detour and safety signage. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Visit the Interactive Map