The D&L Blog

Many trail users have asked about where to park their car overnight while taking extended trips along the D&L Trail. While overnight parking is not allowed at all D&L Trailheads, here are some things to consider at trailheads that do allow it. These steps will help ensure that your car is safe while you enjoy the D&L Trail. 

It’s always a good idea to find a trailhead that is visible to the public and surrounded by homes, or in a well visited area like a park. Avoid parking in secluded and isolated areas that may be prone to vandalism. Overnight parking is not allowed at all D&L Trailheads so here are some things to consider and steps to ensure that your car is safe while you enjoy the D&L Trail. If you’re concerned about leaving your car for an extended period of time, you may want to consider a shuttle option via a ride share service or an outdoor outfitter in the area.  

No matter where you park your car along the D&L Trail, if you’re planning to leave your car overnight, we recommend you reach out to the local landowner to alert them. Although the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) does not own the D&L Trail, we do serve as a convener for local landowners including local government, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations. If you need help figuring out who the landowner is for the trailhead you’re looking to park at, reach out to us via phone or email and we can get you the right contact information.  

Make sure you provide the landowner with the make and model of your car so their staff and local police can keep an eye on it and prevent towing if possible. You’ll also want to make sure the landowner has your contact information. Always share your trip itinerary with your friends and family, and at the very least leave a copy of your itinerary in your car so the police can find you in case of an emergency. It should be easy to locate, but not legible from the outside. 

The DLNHC has an Interactive Map that covers the entire length of the Corridor and D&L Trail, which you’ll find to be very helpful for planning your trip, and for directions to various trailheads, towns and points of interest along the Trail.   

To find a specific trailhead go online to delawareandlehigh.org/map/. Once there, click on a trail section and scroll down to the “Trailheads” section on the pop up on the right side of your screen.  You’ll be able to read more about that trailhead including closure information and get directions via google maps.

Happy trails!  

Written by Charles Stonewall, Trails & Conservation Associate

Charles is responsible for providing support to staff and programs in the Trails & Conservation Department. He joined the DLNHC team in January of 2023. If you have trail questions, contact [email protected].