Smithfield Beach

Smithfield Beach, located 3 miles north of Shawnee in Monroe County, PA, offers a concrete boat ramp providing access to the Delaware River within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This is a recreational fee area with amenities including picnic tables and restrooms (seasonal availability). The site is popular with both private boaters and commercial livery services launching guided river trips, making it a well-established access point for the region.

The Delaware River at this location is a major waterway—a stream order 8 river flowing 331 miles to the ocean with an average discharge of over 30,000 cubic feet per second. Paddlers should expect moderate currents (averaging 3.11 feet/second) and a relatively gentle gradient of 2.7 feet/mile, making it suitable for recreational kayakers and canoeists, though water conditions can vary seasonally. The river's large drainage area (13,521 square miles) means water levels are influenced by weather and upstream conditions.

Several campground options are available within 10 miles, including Worthington State Forest Campground and reservable sites at Alosa Campsites and Rivers Bend Group Campground, making Smithfield Beach an excellent basecamp for multi-day paddling trips. For current conditions and specific details about fees and seasonal operations, contact the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area at (570) 588-2451 or (570) 426-2452.