UPDATE 6/17/2024: A contractor will be working to remove debris and fallen trees from the canal from 6/17-6/21 from Sand Island (MM 71.2) to the Minsi Trail bridge (MM 69.8). Use caution when navigating this section as access may be limited.
This section of the D&L Trail continues to follow the towpath with views of the historical Bethlehem Steel site across the river and its current transformation. About halfway between Bethlehem and Freemansburg, there is a picnic area and canal lock #43 at Charlie Brown’s Clearing. In Freemansburg, the trail passes the Freemansburg Canal Education Center in the historic mule barn. This is the site of Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor fall field trips about life as a canal locktender family.
The Bethlehem Sand Island Trailhead and Freemanburg Trailhead are both also near Lehigh River Water Trail access points. Please refer to Wildlands Conservancy’s Lehigh River Water Trail website for more information on trips along the water trail.
