Washington Crossing State Park
Park Overview:
This is the place out of the history books where the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776.
Park Description:
Established in 1912, Washington Crossing State Park is the site where the Continental Army landed after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. Within the 3,500-acre park are a 140-acre natural area containing fields in various stages of secondary succession and a mixed hardwood forest. In addition, the park includes a visitor center museum, the Johnson Ferry House, an observatory [open Friday nights seasonally] and a nature center, plus facilities for picnicking.
Trails Overview:
Originally preserved for its historical significance, the park is also well known for its trails and wildlife habitat. A wide variety of migrating birds use the stream and ravine as a resting place and for nesting. Many bird species winter in the park, creating a perfect location for bird observation year round.
With 15 miles of hiking trails there are plenty of places to walk in the park Use the Web Map link on this site for a trail map.
Click for detailed descriptions of hikes in the park.
Park Acreage:
3575.00 acresMunicipality:
TitusvilleThis is the place out of the history books where the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776.
Established in 1912, Washington Crossing State Park is the site where the Continental Army landed after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. Within the 3,500-acre park are a 140-acre natural area containing fields in various stages of secondary succession and a mixed hardwood forest. In addition, the park includes a visitor center museum, the Johnson Ferry House, an...
Park Acreage:
3575.00 acresMunicipality:
TitusvilleContact Information
Web Link:
NJ DEP, Division of Parks and ForestryPhone:
(609) 737-1517Fees:
Some times and places; check with parkDogs in park:
Dogs on leashTrip Reports
rate experienceNJDEP News Release, October 14, 2009
DEP PRESERVES SCENIC ACRES
ALONG THE
(09/P24)
“With its breathtaking beauty and spectacular views of the
The DEP’s Green Acres program purchased the Goat Hill Overlook property for
$4.5 million from Constructural Dynamics Inc. of
In addition to views of the
The Goat Hill Overlook acquisition is part of the Green Acres’ Crossroads of
the American Revolution land preservation initiative, which links Revolutionary
War sites across the state to help interpret
The DEP's Green Acres program purchases land to protect environmentally
sensitive open space, water resources and other significant natural and
historical areas. Land acquired by Green Acres becomes part of the statewide
system of parks and forests, wildlife management areas and natural areas. Green
Acres provides funding to county and municipal governments and nonprofit
organizations to acquire open space and parks in their communities.
Since its inception in 1961, the program has protected more than 640,000
acres of open space, in addition to funding the development of hundreds of
parks throughout
For those who wish a little background about the depiction of Washington's crossing the Delaware, here's an article from the New York Times, December 25, 2011, about a famous painting and an updated interpretation:
"There are few images as enduring in American history as the one of General George Washington standing tall, next to the Stars and Stripes, in a rowboat gliding past mini-icebergs as he leads his troops across the Delaware River on Christmas Day 1776 to start a surprise attack on Hessian forces during the Battle of Trenton.
In his 1851 portrait, “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” among the best-known of American paintings, the artist, Emanuel Leutze, did not shy away from imbuing the scene with a dose of glory, inspiration and heroism.
He also did not let the facts get in the way of his masterpiece — the original hangs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The only thing wrong with this historical image is the history part, said Mort Künstler, as he recently put the finishing touches on his own version of Washington’s crossing. As it rested on an easel in Mr. Künstler’s studio on Long Island, the painting looked nothing like the Leutze version.
“I’m not knocking the original: it’s got great impact and Leutze did a heck of a job,” Mr. Künstler said. “I give Leutze higher marks for a good painting than for historical accuracy, but why can’t you have both?”"
The newstory continues by clicking here.