Bulls Island
🌉 A Forested Island Between a Canal and the Delaware River — With a Footbridge to Pennsylvania — Bulls Island Recreation Area, an 80-acre forested island in the Delaware River, part of D&R Canal State Park, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath, pedestrian bridge to Lumberville PA, kayaking, fishing (American shad run), picnicking, scenic corridor — Hunterdon County, NJ
There’s a forested island in the Delaware River where New Jersey meets Pennsylvania. On one side flows the Delaware — wide, wild, and full of shad every spring. On the other side runs the Delaware & Raritan Canal — a 19th-century engineering marvel turned linear park. Bulls Island sits between them, shaded by sycamores and connected to Pennsylvania by a historic pedestrian bridge.
The bridge walks you from New Jersey to Lumberville, Pennsylvania in three minutes. Two states, two canal systems, one river, and a footbridge. The D&R Canal towpath stretches 70+ miles in one direction. The Delaware Canal towpath continues on the Pennsylvania side. You can walk or bike between states all day.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Towpath Trail | The Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath — 70+ miles of flat, scenic, multi-use trail along the historic canal. Walk, jog, or bike through one of the longest linear parks in the eastern US. The path runs from Milford to New Brunswick |
| Pedestrian Bridge | The Lumberville–Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge connects Bulls Island to Lumberville, Pennsylvania across the Delaware River. Walk or bike between states. The bridge links New Jersey’s D&R Canal towpath with Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal towpath |
| Kayaking & Canoeing | Boat launches for both the Delaware River and the D&R Canal. The canal is calm and perfect for beginners. The river offers current and scenery. Commercial tubing and kayak outfitters operate nearby |
| Fishing | The Delaware River at Bulls Island is famous for the spring American shad migration (April–May) — one of the great fish runs on the East Coast. Also: smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and panfish year-round |
| Picnicking | Large picnic area with tables, grills, and a playground under the sycamore canopy. A beautiful spot for a Delaware River picnic — the river visible through the trees |
The Delaware & Raritan Canal
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Canal | Built 1830–1834 to connect the Delaware River to the Raritan River — a 44-mile water highway across New Jersey. Once carried more tonnage than the Erie Canal. Closed to commercial traffic in 1933, now a state park |
| The Towpath | Mules once pulled barges along this path. Now it’s a 70+ mile multi-use trail — one of the finest linear parks in the Mid-Atlantic. Flat, shaded, and following the canal’s gentle curves through farmland and forest |
| Two Canals | The Delaware Canal on the Pennsylvania side mirrors the D&R Canal on the New Jersey side. Both followed the river. Both are now parks. Bulls Island sits where they face each other across the Delaware |
| Historic Towns | The towpath connects a string of historic river towns: Frenchtown, Stockton, Lambertville — each with restaurants, antique shops, and galleries. Lambertville-New Hope is the most famous crossing |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | 🐟 American shad migration — the river alive with fish. Wildflowers on the towpath. The sycamores leafing out. Perfect cycling weather |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 🍂 River valley foliage. The towpath through golden tunnel of trees. Crisp cycling and walking weather. The river reflecting autumn color |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Tubing and kayaking season. Long days on the towpath. Swimming holes. River town restaurants and ice cream. Hot but the canopy provides shade |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet towpath walks. Eagle watching along the Delaware (wintering bald eagles). The bare sycamores reveal their white bark architecture |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still camp here?
Public camping is no longer available at Bulls Island. The area now operates as a day-use recreation area. Nearby camping options include state parks and private campgrounds in the Delaware River valley.
Can I walk to Pennsylvania?
Yes — the pedestrian bridge takes about 3 minutes. Walk or bike from New Jersey to Lumberville, Pennsylvania. You can continue on Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal towpath for a cross-state loop. No toll, no vehicle traffic.
🌉 Two States. Two Canals. One River. And a Footbridge Between Them.
A forested island where New Jersey meets Pennsylvania. The Delaware River on one side, a 19th-century canal on the other. Walk to Pennsylvania in 3 minutes. Bike 70 miles on a towpath. And watch the shad run every spring.
