WATERCRAFT LAUNCHES WITHIN THE UPPER DELAWARE SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL RIVER

There are 16 public watercraft launches within the boundary of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and two more just a couple miles downriver from the southern boundary. Some allow the launching of all watercraft, including motorboats, while others are only for non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, and rafts.

New York does not require launch permits for non-motorized boats to use its NY Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC) boat ramps within the park, but Pennsylvania does. If you live in Pennsylvania or use your non-motorized watercraft primarily in Pennsylvania, you must obtain a launch permit to use the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) ramps within the park. This requirement is for all types of watercraft including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, rafts, and sailboats without a motor. See the PFBC’s Registering / Titling a Boat web page for more details.

But what about out-of-state tourists with their own non-motorized boats? If your state requires such permits, they are valid in Pennsylvania for up to 60 days (but who would ever know how long you’ve been there?). If your state does not require a permit, you cannot use the PFBC boat ramps unless you get a PFBC launch permit, but who in the hell is going to do that for a launch or two while on vacation? Thus, you can play it safe and stick to the New York ramps or simply ignore the PFBC regulations and just play dumb if caught. I used the PFBC ramps on the Upper Delaware, the Lower Delaware, and in the Delaware Water Gap for three weeks and never saw anyone from the PFBC at any ramp. In fact, I don’t recall seeing a cop of any type during the entire three weeks I was in the area.

The only chance of getting caught is when launching or taking out. Nothing can happen to you on the river because nobody knows where you launched from. If approached by authorities, just play dumb. The worst that can happen when launching is that you’ll be sent packing to the New York side of the river, and when taking out I doubt a PFBC official is going to deny you access when you don’t have a ride farther down the river. You’ll probably be told not to do it again. After all, you’re just a dumb tourist with no clue. I have no problem giving this advice, though keep in mind that this is for paddling within the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River only, not on other lakes and rivers within Pennsylvania. Also remember that a launch permit is not for paddling on the water, just for using the boat ramps.

Motorized boats owned by Pennsylvanians or New Yorkers must be permitted in their respective states. Out-of-state motorboats must be permitted in their state of residence, and these permits are honored in both Pennsylvania and New York.

For location information, photos, and descriptions of the launches, see the following web pages here on National Park Planner:

Hancock, NY, DEC Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Buckingham Boat Ramp (PA)
All boats allowed

Lordville Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Long Eddy Boat Ramp (NY)
All boats allowed

Kellams Bridge Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Callicoon Boat Ramp (PA)
All boats allowed

Damascus Boat Ramp (PA)
All boats allowed

Skinners Falls Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Narrowsburg NY DEC Boat Launch (NY)
All boats allowed

Narrowsburg PFBC Boat Launch (PA)
All boats allowed

Ten Mile River Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Lackawaxen Boat Launch at the Zane Grey Museum (PA)
All boats allowed

Highland NY DEC Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Barryville NY DEC Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Mongaup Canoe Launch (NY)
Non-motorized watercraft only

Sparrowbush Boat Ramp (NY)
All boats allowed

Matamoras Boat Ramp (PA)
All boats allowed

Miles between boat ramps on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

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