HikerMcDade Recreational Trail: choose a Delaware River section
McDade is a flexible way to plan a river-country walk in Pennsylvania. Start with an entrance and a turnaround, not the full trail name: the corridor has enough access points that two McDade outings can be completely different days.
- Route type
- Trail network
- Distance
- Check selected route
- Cumulative ascent
- Not verified
Choose a section from the NPS mileage table. For example, Eshback Access to Jerry Lees is listed as 1.8 miles one way, about 3.6 miles returning; the whole corridor is not one short loop. Cumulative ascent has not been verified for this outing. A source’s elevation change or summit height is not used as total climbing.
Sources reviewed 2026-10-13 · Independent HikerQuests planning guide
Start here
Choose a named access from the official table, such as Eshback Access and Jerry Lees, and check parking arrangements for both.
Terrain & what to see
Sections vary in difficulty and the trail is shared with bicycles in permitted areas. Keep awareness of other users and leave room to pass.
The corridor alternates among river views, fields, forest and historic landscapes. Choose the section for the experience your group wants.
Before hiking
Check seasonal closures and pet restrictions. NPS lists the Conashaugh–Pittman Orchard section closed December 15 through July 15 for nesting eagles; do not plan a through-walk across it during that period.
Landscape & trail notes
The named entrances make the corridor useful for repeat visits. You can build a collection of separate walks without claiming completion of the entire trail.
After the hike
Put both access names in a shared plan. For an out-and-back, count the return distance; for a one-way walk, arrange transport before starting.