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PARK ADVISORY: Construction on a new Visitor Center and other exciting park improvements has begun.During this time, the pedestrian bridge on Route 29 will be closed. The main park entrance on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road will remain open.
Experience General George Washington's historic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night in 1776.
Washington Crossing State Park is the site of General George Washington’s historic 1776 Christmas night crossing of the icy Delaware River. For almost ten hours, boats and ferries moved continuously back and forth carrying men, horses and cannon to the Jersey side. By midnight a strong storm had developed, hurling sleet, hail and snow at the rebel army. Landing at Johnson’s Ferry, the Continental Army still faced an arduous nine mile march to Trenton as the storm continued with a vengeance. Reaching Trenton in the early morning of December 26th, the American Army surrounded, defeated and captured over 900 Hessian mercenaries and secured a morale boosting victory of immeasurable proportions.
This circa-1740, gambrel-roof farmhouse and tavern near the Delaware River was built by Garret Johnson on his 490-acre tract. James Slack operated the ferry service in 1776. In addition to using the ferry service, General Washington and other officers probably used the house at the time of the Christmas night crossing of the Delaware. The keeping room, parlor, pantry and bedchambers are furnished with local period pieces and reproductions similar to the furniture used by the Johnson and Slack families from 1740 to 1780. The site also includes an 18th-century kitchen garden. Living history demonstrations are frequently held on weekends.
Johnson Ferry House Hours: Thursday - Saturday 11am -12 Noon 1pm - 4pm
For more information visit Johnson Ferry House web page.
Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum
The Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum contains the Swan Historical Foundation’s collection featuring over 500 artifacts from the American Revolution. The museum has two galleries, one focusing on New Jersey’s role in the Revolution and the other discussing “The Ten Crucial Days” surrounding Washington’s Crossing and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The NJN produced film “The Ten Crucial Days: The Road to Liberty” can be viewed in the auditorium.
Visitor Center Museum Hours: Daily 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
School and group programs available. Please call the Visitor Center at 609-737-0623
Swan Historical Foundation Collection
An impressive collection of over 500 authentic Revolutionary War artifacts, on loan from The Swan Historical Foundation, Inc., is housed in the exhibit galleries of the Visitor Center Museum. This collection serves to remind visitors of the perilous struggles that men and women endured during this era.
Nature Interpretive Center
The nature interpretive center houses a collection of live and preserved wildlife specimens, nature dioramas, terrariums, lightboard identification games, coloring pages, a computer learning station, nature charts, Native American artifacts, children's books, outdoor bird feeders and a diverse pollinator garden.
The Trail Stewards meet monthly to preserve and improve the Park's extensive trail system. In addition to trail maintenance, the trail stewards also work on invasive species removal and the protection of native plants. Become a Trail steward by simply visiting https://www.wcpa-nj.com/stewards to sign up and view the calendar of events.
Nature Center Hours: Closed.
Visitor Center Museum Education programs.
School and group programs available. Please call the Visitor Center at 609-737-0623.
Observatory
Located within the park, on the same road as the nature interpretive center, the John W. H. Simpson observatory is operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton, Inc. (link is external). The observatory is open Friday nights April through October from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. To find about attending a Friday night session or for more information about the association call 609-737-2575.
Cross-Country Skiing
During the winter months, when weather conditions are favorable, cross-country skiing is permitted on the 13 miles of ungroomed trails.
Hiking
The park has 13 miles of trails for hiking. Walking and jogging are very popular in the park throughout the year.
Horseback Riding
Two and a half miles of trails are available for equestrian use in the Phillips Farm day use area. The Phillips Farm parking area is designated for horse trailers. There are no horse rental facilities in the park.
Mountain Biking
Five miles of trails in the Phillips Farm day use area are available for mountain bike use.
Snowshoeing
The park offers 13 miles of trails that can be used during the winter months for snowshoeing.
Trails
There are 13 miles of moderate trails to enjoy throughout Washington Crossing State Park. These trails are not ADA accessible.
Online reservations can be made at www.camping.nj.gov (link is external).
Group campsites:
Four group campsites are located in the Phillips Farm area of the park. Each site contains picnic tables, fire rings and a composting toilet. These are designated as primitive campsites with no water or electric utilities available on site. Total combined capacity of all four sites: 115. We highly recommend that group leaders carefully estimate their group size so not to overestimate as refunds cannot be made.
Camping Parking lot GPS 40.31541, -74.85652
The Park has two picnic areas with tables and grills located at Knox Grove and Sullivan Grove. These facilities, which are situated in attractive settings, are ideal for family and small group picnics. The Knox Grove picnic area also includes playground equipment. Charcoal fires must be confined in metal grills provided onsite or brought in by the picnicker.
The park offers a group picnic area at Greene Grove for larger groups by reservation. It can accommodate 125 people and includes restrooms, a shelter, playfields and playground equipment. Open from April 1st - October 31.
Groups of 20 or more people shall reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance. Such group use is not permitted on holidays except as authorized by the superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are handled by the individual park area offices.
Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card or by mail using the group picnic reservation form. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany the application.
The Open Air Theater is currently closed.
The open air theater may be available for use for certain activities by submitting a special use permit application. Contact the Park Office for more information.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal subject to New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife laws (link is external). Various species of fish are found in the river including bass, shad, catfish and several different types of panfish. The Delaware and Raritan Canal is stocked with trout by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife during the spring months.
Bow hunting is permitted in designated areas on a seasonal basis through annual registration in the park’s deer management program and is subject to regulations of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. (link is external)
Trails leading from the nature interpretive center take visitors through a mature mixed oak-hardwood forest, young woodlands and successional fields. A nature blind offers quiet observation of birds, deer and other mammals. The natural area supports the spring avens, a rare woodland herb of the rose family.
A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters.
To learn more about Special use Permits click here.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
Washington Crossing State Park recreational and historic facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the Park Visitor Center at 609-737-0623 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]
Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]
Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!
Swimming
No swimming.
Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.
Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.
