Official Site of The State of New Jersey

News & Updates

November 25, 2022
In consultation with the National Park Service, the New Jersey State Park Service is pausing the effort to designate the "wishbone" section of the Rancocas Creek as a National Water Trail.

In July 2022, the State Park Service’s original application was deferred by the National Park Service. At that time, and given discussions with the National Park Service, the intention was to resubmit a modified application by November 2022. During the nomination process, the State Park Service worked closely with the National Park Service, along with local and county stakeholders with property ownership in this section of the river. Upon closer inspection it was determined that significant additional work would need to occur to recognize the significance of and ensure safe passage along this section of the tidally flowed portion of the river.

The State Park Service plans to investigate future opportunities to nominate other sections of Rancocas State Park through its trail system that could highlight the Rancocas Creek. However, if other landowners adjacent to the Rancocas Creek want to pursue a broader section of the waterbody for National Water Trail designation, the State Park Service is available to work with those landowners.