Upper canoe launch on the Lower Delaware River at Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville, Pennsylvania

See the Boat Launches web page for an interactive location map.

TYPE

The Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area Canoe Launch is for hand-launched watercraft only.

LOCATION

Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area, a unit of Delaware Canal State Park, is located on PA-611 in Raubsville, Pennsylvania. If using Google Maps, search DELAWARE CANAL STATE PARK LOCKS 22, 23.

What is now Delaware Canal State Park was originally Roosevelt State Park. The name was changed in 1989. Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area is the only unit that retained a semblance of its old name. You may also see the park referred to as Delaware Canal State Park Locks 22 and 23, which is what is on the sign at the entrance.

FEES

While there is no specific fee to use the canoe launch at Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area, a fee-based launch permit is required from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). This requirement is for all types of watercraft including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, rafts, and sailboats without a motor. This applies even to out-of-state paddlers who are in Pennsylvania on vacation unless their home state already requires launch permits for non-motorized boats and their boat has one attached. Those from states that do not require such permits must get one from the PFBC. If you have three months before your vacation, you can get a permit by mail. There are also retail stores in Pennsylvania where launch permits are sold. See the PFBC’s Registering / Titling An Unpowered Boat web page for details (scroll to the bottom for Launch Permits).

BOAT RAMP DETAILS

There are two canoe launches at Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area, and both are difficult to access. When you pull into the park and cross the bridge over the canal, take the first right to get to the parking lot. The canoe launches are located on either side of the restroom building. The one closest to the parking lot is the steepest and requires walking up / down stairs. I ended the first day of my trip on the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River at Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area and used this launch but only because it came first—I didn’t even know about the second launch at the time. Luckily I was the cameraman on the trip, so I made my friend carry the kayak up the steps so that I could get photos of his struggle.

Exiting the Lower Delaware River at Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville, Pennsylvania

The next day when I continued my trip, I launched from Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area as well, only this time I used the downriver canoe launch. It is still steep, but not quite as steep as the upriver launch.