There are numerous trails, parks and other recreational opportunities in every direction from Port Jervis. For maps of many of the trails and parks, check out National Geographic's maps of the Delaware Water Gap (737) and the Shawangunk Mountains (750) as well the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference maps on the marketplace page. You can also purchase many of these georeferenced maps on the Avenza app.
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
7 minutes from downtown
The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is a National Park Service unit along the river, comprised of federally owned land and privately owned properties, protected by conservation easements. Visit the Zane Grey Museum, the historic Roebling Acqueduct, the Delware and Hudson Canal, or raft or kayak down this section of the scenic Delaware. The National Park Service operates a river campground in the park. Free camping permits are available by contacting the Zane Grey Museum at (570) 685-4871. Request a free guide & map from the Upper Delaware Council. Learn more on the National Park Service website.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
9 minutes from downtown
The Delaware Water Gap is another National Park Service unit located along the Delaware River. The namesake of the park, the gap the river creates in the Kittatinny/Blue Mountain Ridge, is an hour from Port Jervis at the southern end of the historic Old Mine Road. Several Hudson River School artists painted the Water Gap, including George Inness, Asher Brown Durand and Thomas Doughty. Visit the Peters Valley School of Craft store, Historic Millbrook Village, Historic Walpack Center, one of the stunning waterfalls in the park, kayak the Delaware River, or hike one of the many trails in the park. Learn more on the National Park Service website.
Boehmler Pond
14 minutes from downtown
Boehlmer Pond in adjacent Deerpark Township, is owned by the town. There are hiking trails that go around the perimeter of this 26 acre pond. The pond's outlet is Gold Creek, which empties into the Neversink River in Port Jervis. Kayak on the pond, hike the trails, or have a picnic at this peaceful pond. Get directions here.
High Point State Park
7 minutes from downtown
This twenty-four square mile state park, just across the border in New Jersey is situated on the Kittatinny Ridge. High Point Monument, a 220 foot tall granite obelisk, was built in 1930 as a war memorial at the state's highest point, at 1804 feet. Go swimming at Lake Marcia, hike on the Appalachian or Shawangunk Ridge Trail, or climb to the top of the monument for an even better view of Port Jervis and the Poconos and Catskills. In the winter, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing here. Visit the park's page for more information or view a trail map of the park here.
Huckleberry Ridge State Forest
4 minutes from downtown
The 1450-acre Huckleberry Ridge State Forest consists of eleven separate parcels of land. There are 17 miles of blazed trails, as well as numerous unmarked trails in the forest. The red Lenape Ridge Trail, connects Port Jervis and the Delaware River Heritage Trail with the ridge. Primitive camping is allowed in the State Forest. For more information, view the Department of Environmental Conservation's website. View the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference's trail map of the forest.
Graham Mountain State Forest
19 minutes from downtown
The 161-acre Graham Mountain State Forest is located on the Shawangunk Ridge, just north of Huckleberry Ridge State Forest. The Long Path and Shawangunk Ridge Trail, the red-blazed Graham Fire Tower Trail and the white Ravine Trail traverse the forest. On the east side of the forest, near the trailhead is the fire tower, which visitors to the forest can climb. The white ravine trail descends down to the Shawangunk Ridge Trail/Long Path along a rocky ravine and a small cascading creek. View the trails on this New York-New Jersey Trail Conference map.
D&H Canal Park
13 minutes from downtown
The D&H Canal Park is a 249-acre park in Cuddebackville that is home to the Neversink Valley Museum. The park is located on a bend of the Neversink River. This is where the Neversink finishes it descent off of the Allegheny Plateau, east of Roses Point. After meeting the Basher Kill, in the Port Jervis trough, the Neversink continues flowing west through the trough to its confluence with the Delaware River in Port Jervis. The old Delaware and Hudson Canal traverses the park, as well as a gravel trail along the old canal bed. The trail continues 16 miles to its northern terminus near Phillpsport.
Gobblers Knob State Forest
17 minutes from downtown
The 303-acre Gobbler's Knob State Forest is home to a section of the Long Path and Shawangunk Ridge Trail on the Shawangunk Ridge. Primitive camping is allowed at the forest. For more information and a map visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's page on Gobbler's Knob.
Bashakill Wildlife Management Area
19 minutes from downtown
The 3,107-acre Bashakill Wildlife Management Area is home to the largest freshwater wetland in this part of New York. It is home to fifteen miles of trail on both sides of the Basher Kill. The trial on the west side follows the Delaware and Hudson Canal, while the east side uses the old Ontario and Western railroad. The WMA is a great place for birding. It is home to over 200 species of birds, including ducks, herons, bald eagles and osprey. There are a number of places to launch kayaks or canoes, as well. Visit the Bashakill WMA page on the Department of Environmental Conservation's website for more information.
Neversink Unique Area
20 minutes from downtown
6,580-acre Neversink Unique Area is home to a gorge along the Neversink River as well as several waterfalls. The Nature Conservancy designated the Neversink River as one of the "Last Great Places" in the United States, Latin America and the Pacific. Hike along the 11 miles of hiking trails, go whitewater kayaking through the gorge or fly fishing on the river. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's website for more information. See their public access for fishing on the Neversink River on their site.
Mongaup River Wildlife Management Area
11 minutes from downtown
The Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) contains 6,313 acres of state owned land plus an addition 5,542 acres of land with state conservation easements. Mongaup Valley WMA is a Bird Conservation Area. Stop at one of the eagle-viewing blinds on Mongaup Falls Reservoir or Rio Reservoir. Kayak or Canoe on Cliff Lake, Swinging Bridge Reservoir, Mongaup Falls Reservoir or Rio Reservoir, go fishing on the Mongaup River, go whitewater kayaking on the Mongaup River or go hiking on the Mongaup River Trail. For a longer hike, park near the power lines along Wilson Road and head west down the hill to the river. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's website for more information.
Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area
25 minutes from downtown
The 1,036-acre Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area (MUA) is located around Hickok Brook and Hickok Pond. There are over five miles of trails and a number of designated campsites near the pond. Primitive camping is also allowed at Hickok Brook MUA. The peaceful Hickok Pond is perfect for canoeing or kayaking or picnicing along its shores. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's website for more information.
Delaware State Forest
14 minutes from downtown
Delaware State Forest is a 83,519 acre forest made up of separate tracts in Pike, Monroe, Northampton and Carbon Counties in Pennsylvania. The nearest trailhead is along Bluestone Boulevard, north of Millrift. From here you can hike down to the Delaware River or to Buckhorn Fire Tower. Across the train tracks, at the bottom of the Falls Trail is a small sandy beach on the Delaware River. The sixty-foot Buckhorn Fire Tower affords visitors views of the Catskills, Poconos and the Kittatinny/Blue Mountain Ridge. For more information and trail maps visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources's website.
Stokes State Forest
15 minutes from downtown
The 25 square mile, Stokes State Forest, is located along the Kittatinny Ridge, south of High Point State Park. Visit Sunrise Mountain for a beautiful view from the ridge, visit the beautiful hemlock-lined Tillman Ravine, go swimming at Stony Lake, or rent a cabin along Lake Ocquittunk. For more information and maps or to reserve a campsite, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website.
