National park · United States
Washington Crossing Historical Park
Visit the park for a short walk to Bowman's Hill Tower (30 min, $5 entry) or a longer hike along the Delaware Canal (2 h, $5 entry); go in spring or fall to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Bucks County ↗A car is the practical way to cover the county; SEPTA Regional Rail reaches the river towns and Doylestown but not the parks.
- Bucks County ↗I-95 and the Delaware River bridges carry tolls; check current rates before you cross.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- Approx. 500 acres ≈ 2 km² (check).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Washington Crossing Historical Park preserves the 1776 Delaware River crossing site and offers historic buildings, Bowman's Hill Tower views, and riverside trails, making it a compact blend of American history and outdoor recreation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 2026
Approx. 500 acres ≈ 2 km² (check).
Why go
- Historic site of Washington’s 1776 Delaware crossing.
- Scenic views from Bowman's Hill Tower.
- River‑side trails along the Delaware Canal.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet.
- FebFew visitors.
- MarMild, blooming trees.
- AprComfortable temps, foliage.
- MayWarm, trails dry.
- JunHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- JulHot, crowds rise.
- AugHot, humidity.
- SepCooling, fewer tourists.
- OctPleasant, fall colors.
- NovCool, quiet.
- DecCold; reenactment on 2nd Sunday.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River birds (herons, ducks)Mar–Sep · Common along the canal. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From New York City
Drive north via I‑95 (≈1.5 h) or take a commuter train to Trenton then drive 15 min.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Philadelphia
Drive west on I‑295 (≈45 min).
45 min
Open the page →
From Newark, NJ
Cross the bridge to the Pennsylvania side, then follow signs to the park.
≈30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Crossing section | Historic crossing site, McConkey Ferry Inn, Memorial Building. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Thompson's Mill section | Bowman's Hill Tower, Thompson‑Neely House, Memorial Flagstaff. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult entry | US$5 | person | — |
| Senior entry | US$4 | person | — |
| Youth entry | US$2 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$4
- US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Washington Crossing Historic Park official site before you go.
Park rules
- Opening hours
- Tue‑Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun noon–5 PM; closed on major holidays except Christmas Day.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; not on historic buildings.
- Drones
- Not permitted without park authority permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Washington Crossing Inn
Small inn adjacent to the park, basic rooms.
Near the park
The Woods B&B
Bed‑and‑breakfast a few minutes off I‑95.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot and short paths at both sections are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Bowman's Hill Tower stairs are not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect historic sites.
- Dispose of waste in provided bins.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Washington Crossing Historical Park?
Adult $5, senior $4, youth $2; tickets sold at the entrance.
What are the best hikes in Washington Crossing Historical Park?
The short walk to Bowman's Hill Tower (30 min) and the flat Delaware Canal Trail (1–2 h) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Washington Crossing Historical Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Is the park open on holidays?
Closed on most major holidays except Christmas Day, when a reenactment occurs.
Can I bring my dog?
Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails but not inside historic buildings.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Washington Crossing Historical Park
Loading…
Was this useful?