Delaware River Trip Routes: Mileage, Times & What You'll See

The Delaware River offers something for almost every schedule and fitness level — a quick 2-hour paddle, a full-day 16-mile run, a multi-day expedition with camping, or a relaxed 4-mile tube float. Knowing the routes before you book means you show up with the right expectations and pick a trip that actually fits your group.

Here's a complete breakdown of every route Chamberlain Canoes runs, with honest notes on what each one is like and who it's best for.

What's the Tubing Route?

There's one tubing route: Kittatinny Point to Portland, PA. It's 4 miles and takes 3 to 5 hours depending on water levels and how much you stop to swim. The launch point is right at the Delaware Water Gap — one of the most scenic spots on the river, where the river cuts through a gap in the Kittatinny Ridge. You float through the gap and downstream to the Portland takeout, with forested banks on both sides the entire way.

The pace is slow and social. You're floating, not paddling, which means the time passes differently than on a canoe or kayak. Most groups stop multiple times to swim, eat, or just drift. Plan for a full afternoon rather than a quick trip. See the tubing page for availability and what's included.

What Are the Day Trip Options for Canoes and Kayaks?

There are four canoe and kayak routes, ranging from a short 2-hour trip to a full 5.5-hour day on the water. All of them are flatwater — no rapids, no technical sections.

• Smithfield to Kittatinny — 6 miles, ~2 hours.The shortest day trip and the best starting point for beginners or anyone who wants a taste of the river without committing to a full day. You'll paddle through a beautiful section of the Water Gap and finish near the same area as the tubing takeout. Good for groups with younger kids or anyone unsure about their paddling endurance.
• Bushkill to Smithfield — 10 miles, ~3.5 hours.A solid half-day that covers real distance without exhausting anyone. This is the sweet spot for most groups — long enough to feel like a genuine adventure, short enough to finish feeling good. You'll pass farmland and forested stretches before finishing near the Smithfield Beach area.
• Eshback to Smithfield — 14 miles, ~4.5 hours. A longer trip that puts you on the water for most of the day. Suited for paddlers who want to cover real ground and are comfortable with sustained effort. The scenery shifts as you move downstream through different sections of the recreation area.
• Bushkill to Kittatinny — 16 miles, ~5.5 hours. The longest single-day canoe or kayak route. This is a full day on the river and should only be booked by people who are reasonably fit and have some paddling experience or realistic expectations about how long 5+ hours on the water actually feels. An outstanding trip for the right group.

See the canoe page or kayak page for route details and pricing.

What Are the Raft Routes?

Rafting routes cover a similar stretch of river as the canoe trips, but the experience is different — you're in a larger, more stable inflatable boat that holds 4 to 8 people, and the pace is easier.

• Kittatinny to Portland — 4 miles, ~1.5 hours.The shortest raft trip and the fastest way to experience the Water Gap by raft. Same scenic put-in as the tubing route, but you cover the distance in roughly a third of the time since you're actively paddling.
• Smithfield to Kittatinny — 6 miles, ~3 hours. A mid-length raft trip that gives groups a proper afternoon on the water with time to swim and relax between paddling stretches.
• Smithfield to Portland — 10 miles, ~4.5 hours. The longest raft route and a full day on the water for larger groups. Good for corporate outings or any group that wants to make a real day of it without splitting into multiple smaller boats.

Full details and booking on the raft trips page.

What About Overnight Trips?

Chamberlain runs overnight canoe expeditions covering 14 to 49 miles over 1 to 4 days, with multiple put-in options depending on how far you want to go. You'll camp along the river between paddling days — the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has established campsites accessible by water.

These trips are for people who want more than a day on the river. You're committing to a real expedition: early mornings, longer miles, gear management, and camping. The payoff is an experience you genuinely can't get in an afternoon — the river at dusk, mornings with mist on the water, stretches of the Delaware that day-trippers never reach.

See the overnight canoe trips page for route options, what's provided, and how to plan.

What Will You See on the River?

The Delaware River through the Water Gap is protected as part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a federally managed stretch of land that runs along both banks. That protection means no development, no buildings, and no marinas breaking up the scenery. You're looking at forested ridges, open sky, and river the entire time.

Bald eagles are common on this stretch — not a rare sighting, but something you can reasonably expect to see. Great blue herons are almost guaranteed, often standing at the shoreline or flushing from the bank as you paddle past. Osprey, kingfishers, deer on the banks, and the occasional river otter if you're lucky.

The water itself is clear. This is one of the cleaner stretches of river in the eastern United States, and it shows — you can see the bottom in the shallows, and the swimming spots are genuinely inviting.

Which Route Is Right for You?

Here's the quick decision guide:

• First time on the river? Tubes or the 6-mile Smithfield to Kittatinny canoe route.
• Want a full day but not exhausted? The 10-mile Bushkill to Smithfield canoe/kayak run or the 10-mile Smithfield to Portland raft.
• Bringing young kids or want maximum stability? Canoe (shorter route) or raft.
• Just want to float and relax? Tubes. No question.
• Want to push yourself or cover serious miles? The 14- or 16-mile canoe routes, or an overnight.
• Big group that wants to stay together? Rafts.

If you're still deciding, the trip guide has more detail on what each trip includes and what to bring. You can also call us at (570) 421-0180 — we've been running these routes since 1968 and can help you pick the right one for your group.