FREE
River Runner

Delaware Water Gap / Dingmans Boat Launch

FREE
Connector Shuttle

Stroudsburg / Milford

Service Starts in 36 days and 13 hours!
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Check Delaware River Conditions

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SATURDAYS ONLY IN 2024

River Runner. Delaware Water Gap / Dingman's Boat Launch

This shuttle, sponsored by the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, provides access to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's four Pennsylvania river access points, numerous trailheads as well as Shawnee Inn, Villa's at Fernwood, Shawnee Playhouse, downtown Delaware Water Gap, to just name a few. Service starts Saturday, May 25, 2024 and continues each Saturday until August 31, 2024.

Click on the links below for the shuttle schedules.

River Runner - North
Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride to
Milford Beach Boat Launch

Effective SATURDAYS ONLY May 25, 2024 through August 31, 2024

Fun Fact: The Delaware River flows SOUTH from Milford to Delaware Water Gap (then on to Philadelphia and the Atlantic Ocean).
Use this schedule for portage North to float back to your starting point.


thumb_up = River Access || thumb_down = NO River Access

Saturdays Only

Kittatinny Point thumb_upplace 8:00 AM 9:00 AM - - - -
Delaware Water Gap / PnR thumb_down place 8:10 AM 9:10 AM 10:10 AM 11:15 AM 12:15 PM 1:15 PM
Shawnee Inn thumb_down 8:19 AM 9:19 AM 10:19 AM 11:24 AM 12:24 PM 1:34 PM
Smithfield Beach thumb_up place 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:35 AM 12:35 PM 1:35 PM
Buskill Access thumb_up place 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:05 AM 1:05 PM 2:05 PM
Dingmans Access thumb_up place 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 12:35 PM 1:35 PM 2:35 PM
Milford Beach thumb_up place 9:50 AM 10:50 AM 11:50 AM 12:55 PM 1:55 PM 2:55 PM

  1. Kittatinny Note: If parking at Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride on holiday weekends, secure your equiptment at Kittatinny and take the Hiker Shuttle back.
  2. Shawnee Inn river access is for Inn guests only. A private company operates from this access point and it is not open to the general public.

River Runner - South
Milford Beach Boat Launch to Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride

Effective Saturday, May 25, 2024 and every Saturday through August 31, 2024


thumb_up = River Access || thumb_down = NO River Access

Saturdays Only

Milford Beach thumb_up 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 AM 1:05 PM 2:05 PM 3:05 PM
Dingmans Access thumb_up 10:10 AM 11:10 AM 12:10 PM 1:15 PM 2:15 PM 3:15 PM
Buskill Access thumb_up 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 12:30 PM 1:35 PM 2:35 PM 3:35 PM
Smithfield Beach thumb_up 10:50 AM 11:50 AM 12:50 AM 1:55 PM 2:55 PM 3:55 PM
Shawnee Inn thumb_down 10:56 AM 11:56 AM 12:56 PM 2:01 PM 3:01 PM 4:01 PM
Delaware Water Gap / PnR thumb_down 11:05 AM 12:05 PM 1:05 PM 2:10 PM 3:10 PM 4:10 PM

  1. Kittatinny Note: If parking at Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride on a holiday weekend, secure your equipment at Kittatinny and take the Hiker Shuttle back.
  2. Shawnee Inn river access is for Inn guests only. A private company operates from this access point and it is not open to the general public.

Connector Shuttle. MCTA / Stroudsburg / Delaware Water Gap & Milford

This shuttle provides access to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area starting at MCTA, then Stroudsburg High School Parking Lot by the Stroudsburg Park / Pool, Martz Bus Terminal in Delaware Water Gap and then on to the Park and Ride in Delaware Water Gap. Service starts May 25, 2024 and goes through August 31, 2024.

Click on the links below for the shuttle schedules.

Connector Shuttle - East
MCTA / Stroudsburg / Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride

Effective May 25, 2024


Saturdays Only

MCTA 7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM
Stroudsburg High School 7:45 AM 8:45 AM 9:45 AM
Martz Terminal DWG 7:55 AM 8:55 AM 9:55 AM
Kittatinny Visitors Center 8:00 AM9:00 AM-
Delaware Water Gap / PnR place 8:10 AM 9:10 AM 10:10 AM

Connector Shuttle - West
DWG Park and Ride / Stroudsburg / Swiftwater

Effective May 25, 2024


Saturdays Only

Delaware Water Gap / PnR place 2:10 PM 3:10 PM 4:10 PM
Martz Terminal DWG 2:15 PM 3:15 PM 4:15 PM
Stroudsburg High School 2:25 PM 3:25 PM 4:25 PM
MCTA 2:40 PM 3:40 PM 4:40 PM

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About the River Runner Shuttle

About the Program

MCTA has partnered with the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for the past nine years to provide free public bus service along the Pennsylvania side of the river. The River Runner is a free Saturday shuttle with boat and bicycle portage between May 25 and August 31, 2024 from Stroudsburg, PA area to Milford, PA and back.

Contact Information

MethodLink
Phone(570) 243-3400
Emailtrip@gomcta.com
FacebookTransit in the Park

How to Ride

The River Runner is free to board. Pick the location you'd like to board and your destination using the schedule and map above. Be at the stop about 5 to 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, with your gear ready to load. MCTA can transport bicyles, canoes, kayaks, children (who may be properly behaved), and dogs (who are properly behaved). Passengers are required to load and secure their belongings, MCTA operators will check the equipment to ensure it is properly stowed.

Putting equipment on the trailer takes some time. There will be times the bus is late. We apologize in advance, but please be aware that this may happen.

Coming with a large group (10 or more people)? Please call ahead to let us know so we can be properly prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. And there is no service on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday either.

No. However, you may contact livery services such as Dingmans Campground, Kittatinny Canoes, Edge of the Woods Outfitters, Chamberlain Canoes, Adventure Sport, or other outfitters who may transport you for a fee.

Yes and yes.

No, MCTA provides the straps. You secure your boat using the provided tie down straps. The bus operator will assist you and inspect (and fix, if necessary) before pulling away.

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Float down the River

The Delaware River flows south from Milford to Delaware Water Gap (and further south to the Atlantic Ocean). Most boaters select a stop down river of where they want to get on the river and use the River Runner North. They arrive back at their vehicle at the end of their float. Example: Park at Smithfield Beach, take the shuttle to Bushkill and float down to Smithfield.

Distance / Approximate Time on River*

Milford Beach to Dingmans Launch

River MilesHours
83.2

Dingmans Launch to Bushkill Launch

River MilesHours
104

Bushkill Launch to Smithfield Beach

River MilesHours
104

Smithfield Beach to Kittatinny Point

River MilesHours
62.4

*Times are approximate based on flow of river and assumes watercraft with paddles. Times do not apply to floats with tubes without paddles.

Easy Steps to Use the Shuttle With Boats

Park

Drive to the take-out point where you intend to finish your trip. Unload your vehicle at the shuttle stop, park your vehicle in the appropriate lot. Be ready to board at least 5 mintues before the shuttle is scheduled to arrive.

Load

Load your craft on our trailer and secure with our tie down straps. The bus operator will re-check and tighten any tie down straps. Do not store items in your boat. All loose items can be stored on the bus or trailer. Please note the bus may be late and / or full.

Ride

Know where you're going. Tell the driver which stop you want to put-in the river. Disembark from the vehicle with all your items and watercraft. Don't leave anything behind. Remember the bus number, just in case...

Float

Enjoy your trip down the Delaware! Float back back to where your vehicle is parked. Leave when you're ready. Special note: If you're coming from Milford area or points north, click this box.


Small Craft Portage

Through 2023, MCTA transported thousands of kayaks and canoes up and down the Delaware River. Our free boat portage service is most helpful for those who use the river for boat recreation.

Our trailers are designed to haul up to 10 kayaks, canoes, and smaller inflatable craft, along with personal flotation devices, oars and paddles, coolers and camping equipment. If you have access to, and the ability to use the proper equipment, you can take a trip anywhere from 2 to 32 miles on the Delaware River.

The best part is that we take the chore of the relay vehicle. You park and load our bus and float back to your vehicle.

There is limited portage service from Kittatinny up-river. As an alternative on holiday weekend Saturday, we recommend the following: (1) Park at the Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride; (2) Take the River Runner north to your choice of stop; (3) Float back to Kittatinny; (4) Leave your boat(s) in a secure location; (5) Take your small gear on the Water Gap Hiker Shuttle back to the Delaware Water Gap Park and Ride and (6) Drive back to Kittatinny for your boat. Why was this change made? Crossing the Delaware with a trailer cost $13.50 per trip. By not attaching a trailer, we can afford to run more trips to reduce parking issues at Kittatinny and Dunnfield Creek.

Safe and Secure

All of our bus operators are specially trained to drive this route and have at least a CDL Class B license. Our trailer equipment is checked regularly throughout the season to ensure safe operation. Each vehicle is provided the proper maintanence to meet all state standards.

Current River Conditions

Delaware River Gage at Montauge, NJ

Gage height, feet: Loading

Discharge, cubic feet per second: Loading

Water Temperture: Loading

Reminder: the NPS requires every boater to have a personal flotation device.

Overnight River Trips

There are a limited number of overnight camping locations approved by the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. You can use the River Runner for an extended overnight trip by parking at the Dingmans Boat Launch location and completing your trip at Smithfield Beach (or vice versa) on a weekend service. Be sure to check the schedule and be off the river to catch the shuttle back to your vehicle in time. Check the National Park Service for important information about camping along the river.

River Resources

Waterprooof river recreation mapsets are available for the Delaware River using this link to the Delaware River Basin Commission. Also, A Paddler's Guide to the Delaware River may be a useful book for those looking for the most information about the river. For an extended trip on the river, consider participating in the 2024 Delaware River Sojurn.

Find Other Adventures

Large Groups and Points North Note:

The trailer gets full, especially on gorgeous, sunny days. If you're coming from the north (e.g. Dingmans Ferry, Milford, Summit, NJ, upstate NY) and have a group of people AND water craft with you, consider doing this: drop your gear at your put-in point (with a few folks to watch it) and stage your relief vehicles at your take-out point. Use our shuttle to ferry the drivers back to your put-in point. Seats are always available on the shuttle for passengers, but limited space for boats on the trailer. We know everyone wants to ride the shuttle - that really is the highlight of our day, of course - but this movement will make your trip more enjoyable if you don't have to worry about having space on our trailer for your equipment.

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Biking and Hiking along the Delaware River

McDade Trail in close to Smithfield Beach

The McDade Trail

The McDade Trail offers a unique view of the Delaware River and the surrounding area for the 30+ miles from Milford to Hialeah. Hiking and biking are acceptable uses of the crushed stone trail. Numerous small bridges span the gaps between gullies and small streams. Expansive views welcome vistors who make the journey to key locations.

Plan Your Visit at DEWA
Dingmans Falls

Waterfalls and Other Gems

For the intrepid visitor, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area on the Pennsylvania side has a number of great places to visit, accessible by hiking or cycling. Dingman's Falls is one of the tallest on the US East Coast. Raymondskill Falls are tucked into an area known for its incredible views. A number of trailheads exist radiating perpendicular to the McDade Trail on the other side of US 209.

Plan Your Visit at DEWA
kayaking on the Delaware River

Wild and Scenic River System

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection.

Discover our wild river
NJ / PA Marker on I-80 Bridge

Hiking Resources

There are so many possiblities when taking a hike in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area / Worthington State Forest. In addition to planning an extended over night hike on the Appalachian Trail, many day hikes from easy to difficult can be found. If you are a beginner hiker, you may find this resource from HobbyHelp useful or this one from Nature Sport Central..

Plan Your Hike
Dunnfield Creek

Delaware Water Gap Borough

So you got to Dunnfield Creek and Kittatinny and there's no parking - you were given info about this great place to park and ride back over using the Pocono Pony. But you got there just as the shuttle left and now you want to know what to do. We've got the answer! Use this link for a map of I-80 Exit 310 recreation opportunities! Of course, it isn't the Red Dot Trail, but there is still a lot to discover!

Discover DWG

Pennsylviania House Representative Rosemary Brown's Legislative Report

This video is a review of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Monroe County Transit Authority's services in Monroe and Pike Counties.

Transit in the Park 2023 Shuttles Map

Use this link to open a Google map of the shuttle routes