Kittatinny Canoes
The Delaware is a comparatively calm river, so it's a good trip for intermediate kayakers. Adults and teenagers with some boating experience will find it especially enjoyable. Kittatinny Canoes, located in Barryville, NY, is the largest of several companies that offer canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and tubing trips on the Delaware. The landing spot for an intermediate-level kayaking trip from Barryville is in Matamoras, PA, about 17 miles downriver. The trip takes about seven and a half hours. Reservations are recommended
There are several other locations and landing sites, so families can tailor their trips to the experience levels of the family members. Rates and other necessary information can be found on the website. For beginners, basic kayak instruction and a guided kayaking tour are offered twice per month.
What to Expect on the Kayak Trip
At the Barryville location, the employees supply each member of the family with all the necessary gear, and answer any questions. The open-cockpit touring kayaks come in one-person or two-person versions. Life vests are required by law, and Kittatinny provides them for everyone. After a brief safety lesson, off everyone goes down the river.
On certain weekends, a dam upriver might be released, which causes the water level to rise and the rapids to be rougher. Information on dam releases can be obtained when making reservations.
Many areas of the river are calm and lake-like. Kayakers can drift and let the current carry them along, or the kayaks can race quickly through these sections. In the more demanding areas, there are rocks and waves. It’s important to know how to maneuver around the rocks and to ride with the waves so they don’t flood the craft. Having an experienced river traveler in the party is beneficial.
Preparing for the Kayak Trip
The doors open early, around 7 a.m. It’s good to get there early, because the river becomes quite crowded later in the day. The sun is extremely strong on the river, so kayakers should wear sunscreen —even on a cloudy day. Reapply the sunscreen several times during the trip. Your shoulders and knees will thank you!
Anything in the kayak is sure to get wet. It’s a good idea to bring a rope to tie coolers and water bottles to the boat—just in case. And, of course, plenty of water is a must for those who plan to be out on the river all day.
Natural Beauty of the Delaware River
The scenery on the Delaware River is spectacular. Bald eagles nest in the surrounding woods. Deer, hawks, and smaller wildlife are abundant. A large fish called the shad resides in the river, along with smaller species such as trout.
Manmade features include an old railroad bridge, and a stone wall that used to enclose a canal. There are several small islands, and plenty of spots on the shore to land for lunch or a rest.
The End of the Kayak Trip
When the kayaks reach a large island and the river veers off to the right, kayakers have got a few miles left to go. They will travel by some sheer cliffs and go under a bridge.
After that, the landing site is on the right bank. The landing spot is well-marked, and there will probably be a few Kittatinny buses parked in the adjacent parking lot.
The company’s employees will help get the kayaks on shore, collect life vests, and take the name of each party to ensure everyone a spot on the bus back to Barryville. There’s a general store and restrooms to use while waiting for the bus to leave. Then, it’s onto the bus and back to the car with memories of an exciting day to take home.
