Frequently Asked Questions

History and the Crossing Reenactment

How can I learn more about Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776?
The Crossing the Delaware Tour is a great way to explore the crossing! We also have numerous educational resources:

When can I register to participate in this year’s crossing reenactment?
Registration is done on our website and typically opens in the late summer to early fall. If you’d like to receive an alert when registration opens, please contact info@washingtoncrossingpark.org.

I have another question about the crossing reenactment.
Please review our crossing reenactment page for more details. That page is usually updated several months before the reenactment each year. If you have questions that aren’t answered there, please email info@washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Facilities and Maintenance

What is happening to the buildings?
The park is undergoing a large-scale renovation project to rehabilitate numerous historic and modern facilities.

Is the elevator open at Bowman’s Hill Tower?
The elevator is not available, but visitors may climb the stairs to the top.

How do I rent a park pavilion?

  • The Greene, Sullivan, and Washington Pavilions can be booked online through Reserve America.
  • The Moore Pavilion, located near the Thompson-Neely Grist Mill in the Upper Park, is administered by nearby Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. To inquire, please email the Preserve at events@bhwp.org.
  • The Glover Pavilion, located near the Thompson-Neely Farmstead in the Upper Park, may be booked for Scout use by emailing info@washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Why is the grass long?
Washington Crossing Historic Park is currently undertaking a reduced mowing approach to land management. This is not a temporary strategy, but rather a long-term sustainability land use practice. This approach is great for encouraging native and local wildlife, and it saves energy and taxpayer money. Less mowing means less fuel and more time for staff to concentrate on repairing and maintaining historic structures and other projects to beautify and enhance the park. Native flowers like milk weed, butterfly weed, bee balm, and cone flower (echinacea) are just a few that thrive with less mowing. Native grasses/warm season grasses and wildflowers also have larger root systems that help maintain soil, deter erosion and help sequester carbon. Encouraging native wildflowers also helps pollinators like monarch butterflies, ruby throated humming birds, and native and honey bees. In addition, less mowing creates a habitat for opossums (which eat ticks) and foxes (which eat mice and other small rodents that also carry ticks).

Areas that are undergoing this reduced mowing approach include:

  • The carnival field on River Road
  • The Valley of Concentration across the street from the Visitor Center
  • The fields north of the soccer fields
  • The area between the Delaware Canal and the sheep pastures at the Thompson-Neely Farmstead
  • A small stretch along the Delaware Canal

Areas that will continue to be mowed include:

  • The Visitor Center and Historic Village area
  • The Greene Pavilion area and parking lot near the Valley of Concentration
  • The parking lot and surrounding area near the gate along Route 532
  • Picnic areas, including the picnic area at Bowman’s Hill Tower, the Sullivan Pavilion, and Scout picnic areas

I have another question about facilities and maintenance.
Please contact washingtoncrossingsp@pa.gov.

Tickets and Tours

Which sites are currently available for tours?
Sites that have tickets available on our ticket page can be visited or toured. If there is no link or ability to purchase tickets, that site is being renovated or is otherwise closed for tours. Thank you for your patience while we undergo renovations.

Do I need a ticket to take a self-guided tour through the Historic Village?
No, self-guided tours are available free of charge. A guided tour of the Historic Village (called the Crossing the Delaware Tour) is available daily during the regular season, and tickets can be purchased on our website.

Do I need a ticket to visit Bowman’s Hill Tower?
Yes, timed tickets are required to climb Bowman’s Hill Tower. You can learn more or purchase tickets on our website.

I have another question about tickets or tours.
We have much more information on the Buy Tickets page. If that page does not answer your question, please email info@washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Swimming, Tubing and Boating

Can I swim at Washington Crossing Historic Park?
No. There is no swimming at Washington Crossing Historic Park or in the Delaware River from the park.

Can I launch a tube from Washington Crossing Historic Park?
No. There is nowhere you can tube at Washington Crossing Historic Park, and tubes cannot be launched into the Delaware River from the park.

Can I launch my canoe, kayak or paddleboard?
Yes. Only unmotorized watercraft can be launched from the boat ramp located off River Road near the park Visitor Center. All non-powered boats must display a boat registration or launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or a launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania State Parks.

I have another question about swimming, tubing or boating.
Please contact washingtoncrossingsp@pa.gov.

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park

What is the Friends of Washington Crossing Park?
In partnership with Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park offer guided interpretive tours and educational programming in the park. The group also organizes the Crossing reenactments, General Washington’s birthday celebration, sheep shearing at the Thompson-Neely House, Memorial Day and Independence Day commemorations, a fall harvest day, several fundraisers and more. This website is also maintained by the Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

How do I join the Friends of Washington Crossing Park?
You can become a member on our website. Memberships are valid from April 1 through March 31 each year and must be renewed annually.

How can I stay up-to-date on Friends news, special events and fundraisers?
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, which are managed by the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Or add your name and email address to the form at the bottom of this page to receive monthly e-newsletters from the Friends. You can unsubscribe from e-newsletters by clicking “unsubscribe” in the footer of any email from the Friends.

Other Questions

Is hunting permitted in the park?
No, the park is located in Deer management area 4,  Wilderness Management Unit 5D. There is archery only hunting in the area across from the 532 Gate, this area is DCNR land but is managed by Delaware Canal, hunters must have the appropriate permits, tags and licenses.
https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/StateGameLands/Pages/default.aspx
www.pgc.gov

Is camping permitted in Washington Crossing Historic Park?
Scout camping is permitted in designated areas for groups of 25 or less; Please email: info@washingtoncrossingpark.org for more information. Insurance and a formal agreement are required.
For general information and locations that offer public camping at other PA state parks please visit Where to Camp in Pennsylvania State Parks

How can I host a special event at Washington Crossing Historic Park?
Please email info@washingtoncrossingpark.org.

Can I take commercial photographs at Washington Crossing Historic Park?
Yes, commercial photography (all photography that is taken by a professional photographer for a photoshoot or event or any photo that will be commercially published in print or online for marketing purposes) is permitted with a permit please contact washingtoncrossingsp@pa.gov for more information. For commercial filming please contact Film in PA for a permit.

Can I launch a drone at Washington Crossing Historic Park?
Drones and unmanned aerial systems are not permitted at Washington Crossing Historic Park in order to balance public safety, privacy concerns, view-shed and sound-shed protection, and FAA rules and regulations.

Is the Pennsylvania park affiliated with the New Jersey park?
Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania is managed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey is managed by the New Jersey State Park Service. Though both sites commemorate Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 and offer recreation and historical information, they are separate state parks.

Is the Pennsylvania park affiliated with Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve?
Washington Crossing Historic Park is a close neighbor to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, but they are separate institutions. Tickets/tours for one site are not valid for the other.