Stretching 70 miles through the heart of Central New Jersey, the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park follows the historic towpath of a 19th-century waterway that once carried coal barges between New Brunswick and Bordentown. Today, this 6,595-acre linear park is one of the most popular multi-use trails in the state, drawing hikers, cyclists, joggers, and kayakers to its flat, shaded corridors year-round.

The canal towpath offers an exceptionally smooth, crushed-stone surface that runs alongside calm, mirror-still waters—ideal for families with strollers, casual cyclists, and anyone seeking an easy but scenic outing. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle long, uninterrupted stretches of the canal, passing beneath stone bridges and through wooded sections alive with great blue herons, turtles, and white-tailed deer. Fishing is popular too, with largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish regularly pulled from the canal’s waters.

Established as a state park in 1974, the canal corridor connects a string of charming towns including Lambertville, Princeton, and Kingston, making it easy to break up a ride or walk with a stop for coffee, lunch, or antique shopping. History buffs will appreciate the preserved lock tender’s houses and hand-built stone bridges that dot the route.

Spring and fall deliver the best conditions—wildflowers line the banks in April and May, while October transforms the canopy into a tunnel of red and gold. Summer brings lush shade but also humidity and mosquitoes, so pack accordingly. This is a trail park without established campgrounds, so plan it as a day trip.