Overnight Canoe Trips on the Delaware: Camping on the River

An overnight canoe trip on the Delaware River is one of those rare outdoor experiences that feels genuinely remote — even though you're less than two hours from New York City. You paddle all day, pull your canoe onto a riverbank island, set up camp under the trees, cook dinner by the fire, and fall asleep to the sound of the river. Then you wake up and do it all over again.

Chamberlain Canoes runs overnight trips ranging from a single night to a 4-day expedition, covering anywhere from 14 to 49 miles of the Delaware. Here's everything you need to plan yours.

How Overnight Trips Work

The structure is simple: we outfit you with a canoe, paddles, and life vests, shuttle you to your upriver launch point, and you paddle downstream over one or more days. At the end of your trip, our shuttle picks you up at the takeout point.

In between, you're on your own — in the best possible way. You pick your own campsites, set your own pace, and decide how far to paddle each day. There are no guides hovering over you and no scheduled checkpoints. It's your trip.

Trip Routes

We offer overnight routes from 14 to 49 miles. The right choice depends on how many days you want to spend on the river and how hard you want to paddle:

• Eshback → Smithfield (14 miles) — 1–2 days. A great intro to overnight paddling. Enough distance to feel like a real trip without being grueling.
• Bushkill → Kittatinny Gap (16 miles) — 1–2 days. Similar distance, different scenery.
• Eshback → Kittatinny Gap (20 miles) — 1–2 days. The most popular overnight route. A comfortable pace with plenty of time to explore.
• Dingman's Ferry → Smithfield (20 miles) — 2 days. Launches from further north for different scenery.
• Dingman's Ferry → Kittatinny Gap (26 miles) — 2–3 days. More remote upper sections.
• Milford → Smithfield (28 miles) — 3 days. A proper multi-day wilderness trip.
• Milford → Kittatinny Gap (34 miles) — 3–4 days. Deep into the quiet upper Delaware.
• Matamoras → Kittatinny Gap (49 miles) — 4 days. The full Delaware Water Gap experience, end to end.

Where Do You Camp?

Camping on the Delaware River is managed by the National Park Service. You'll camp on designated river islands and campsites along the banks within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Sites are first-come, first-served — no reservations.

These are primitive campsites: no electricity, no running water, no bathrooms beyond pit toilets at some locations. That's the appeal. You're camping on a river island with nothing between you and the stars.

We provide a campsite map so you can plan your stops. Pro tip: on busy summer weekends, claim your spot by mid-afternoon.

What to Pack

You need to be self-sufficient for the duration of your trip. A canoe can carry a surprising amount of gear, but pack smart:

• Tent and sleeping bag (or hammock if that's your style).
• Camp stove and cooking supplies — fires are permitted at designated sites, but a stove is more reliable.
• Food and water for the entire trip, plus extra. River water is not safe to drink without treatment.
• Dry bags — essential. Pack everything in dry bags. Even experienced paddlers get splashed or caught in rain.
• Headlamp or flashlight — no lights on a river island at night.
• Bug spray — summer evenings on the river mean mosquitoes.
• First aid kit — you're remote. Be prepared.
• Trash bags — pack out everything you bring in. Leave no trace.

Do I Need Experience?

Some paddling experience is recommended for overnight trips, especially the longer routes. You don't need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable paddling a canoe for several hours and navigating gentle current.

If you've never canoed before, we'd suggest starting with a day trip first to get a feel for the river and the boat. Once you're comfortable, the overnight trips are an incredible step up.

Best Time for an Overnight Trip

June through September is prime overnight season. Water is warm, days are long, and the weather is generally cooperative. Early summer (June) tends to have higher water levels and faster current. Late summer (August–September) has lower, warmer water — great for swimming but slower paddling.

Fall overnights (September–early October) are a hidden gem — fewer people on the river, stunning foliage along the ridgelines, and cool evenings perfect for campfires. Just pack warmer layers.

Why the Delaware for Overnight Trips?

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is one of the last undeveloped river corridors in the eastern United States. For 40+ miles, there are no roads along the river, no houses, no cell towers — just forest, water, and wildlife. It's the closest thing to a wilderness canoe trip you'll find within driving distance of the Northeast's major cities.

The water is rated among the cleanest in the country. The fishing is excellent. And you will almost certainly see bald eagles, great blue herons, and deer — possibly bears and otters too.

Plan Your Overnight Trip

See our overnight trip routes, pricing, and camping details, or give us a call at (570) 421-0180 and we'll help you pick the right route for your group.