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Sojourn Overview and General Information

2025 Delaware River Sojourn: June 14-20

Stay tuned! We'll start to share details about the 2025 Delaware River Sojourn - our 30th!! - over the winter.

Getting on Board: 

  • You may choose to paddle the entire Sojourn or you may register for the section(s) or day(s) of your choice. Spaces are limited, so register early!
  • Sojourn days (meeting time - off river) are typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We aim to paddle an average of 10 miles a day.
  • And remember ... we paddle rain or shine! Should there be unsafe high water, alternate activities will be offered and planned meals/camping will still be provided.
  • By registering, you are granting the Sojourn permission to use your image in future Sojourn promotional and educational materials.

Registration Fees:

The Delaware River Sojourn is a non-profit event and is planned and priced as a package. It typically costs more to put on the Sojourn than what we take in, and contributions of time, goods, and services from our many sponsors and supporters allow us to keep participant costs as low as possible. The Sojourn Committee is ever appreciative of the donations, grants, and in-kind services that it receives.

2025 Fees are TBD. Registration fees for 2024 were as follows:

ADULT (Over 15): $100/day
CHILD (15 and Under): $70/day

There is also an American Canoe Association (ACA) insurance fee of $10 per person for the entire trip, except for current ACA members. Please complete the online waivers before the event.

*** NEW FOR 2024 - Before the event, please fill out an online ACA Waiver & an online Rental Boat Waiver (if using a rental boat from our livery, Northeast Wilderness Experience (NEWE))***

Fees Include:

  • Guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and PFD; tandem kayaks come with seats), shuttle/livery transportation to and/or from launch and take-out sites, educational programs, meals, and camping sites.
  • Participants may bring their own boats and must bring their own camping equipment.
  • Registration fees are by the day and include up to three meals and one night of camping. Extra fees may be incurred if you plan to take advantage of the offer to camp and have dinner the night before your paddle as well as the night after your paddle is over (for example: joining for 4 days/5 nights, instead of 4 days/4 nights).

Please Note:

  • The Sojourn reserves the right to assign rental boats to individuals based on height and weight.
  • Registration in 2025 will be online only.
  • Detailed Day Plans are typically available by late May. The Overview document (typically available March/April) includes information on: stretches to be paddled; camping locations; some program details; where to meet and park; and Sojourn shuttle details.

First-Time Paddlers Discount:

Note: Stay tuned to see if we offer this discount in 2025

How it works:

  • Must be an ADULT first-timer (over 15) on the Delaware River Sojourn.
  • The discount is $25 off (roughly 25%) of the registration fee for your first day of paddle on the Sojourn.
  • This offer is limited to 40 total requests.
  • Offer given on a first-come basis, with priority to first-time paddlers who are planning to join the Sojourn for more than one day. 
  • To request this discount, you must contact Dejay Branch to be approved before you register. He can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
  • Let Dejay know in your email why you're interested in the discount and how many total days you plan on participating. Dejay will reply with your approval and will send you an invoice for your total registration, minus the discount.
  • Once you receive the invoice, you can pay through Paypal. Given other time commitments (Dejay has a full-time job), this process may take several days.

Boating Equipment: 

  • You may use your own river-worthy boat (canoe or kayak) or rent one- or two-person kayaks from the Sojourn (shuttle transportation and rental costs are already included in the sojourn registration fee).
  • The registration fee is the same if you bring your own vessel. The shuttling/handling of the boats is costly to the livery we use, which is why the fee is the same regardless if you bring your boat or not.
  • If renting a tandem kayak, two paddling participants are allowed per boat and seats will be provided.
  • If bringing a canoe, up to two participants are allowed per boat, except that non-paddling children under age 12 may ride as a third person in a parent's canoe.
  • Life jackets and paddles are provided with rentals.
  • All participants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times on the river.
  • Aluminum and wooden canoes are not recommended.

Shuttles and Gear: 

  • Leave your vehicle at the rendezvous/registration site each day.
  • Shuttles will transport you and your boat to and from the put-in or take-out.
  • Your camping gear will stay with your vehicle.
  • We paddle rain or shine, so bring rain gear, extra sweaters, hat, sunscreen, eyeglass retainers, sunglasses, and a long sleeve shirt. Wear river shoes, river sandals, or old sneakers. Bring waterproof containers for gear. Bring a camp or folding chair for evening/campfire programs.

Check out this list of items to bring on the Sojourn (updated May 2024)

Meals and Camping:

  • Two to three meals are provided daily during the Sojourn. In 2024, on travel days between campsites, dinners will be on-your-own.
  • Sorry, we cannot accommodate special diets, although we do offer vegetarian meal options. 
  • Camping is provided at commercial and state campgrounds (included in the registration fee). All sites have toilets (flush or pit), drinking water, and emergency access. Some sites may not have showers, and in those cases, we try to secure access to off-site showers when possible.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the river. We fully abide by the alcohol policies of the campgrounds in which we stay.

There are excellent Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) all along the Delaware and in the Delaware Valley. You don't have to camp if you don't want to!

The Sojourn has compiled this list of B&Bs and Restaurants, all within a 20-30 minute drive of 2024 Sojourn registration locations. 

For other accommodations contact:

Safety First:

  • Sojourn organizers make every effort to provide participants with a safe trip, and we are insured and sanctioned by the American Canoe Association.
  • Our Safety Team consists of National Canoe Safety Patrol members who go through and maintain yearly swift-water rescue training.
  • Every sojourn participant must sign a waiver and follow the instructions of the safety staff. Failure to follow instructions and/or engaging in unsafe activity will result in termination of your trip without refund.
  • Canoe/kayak and safety instruction is provided each morning. Attendance at morning safety instruction is mandatory.

View the Delaware River Sojourn 2024 Safety Plan 

Paddling Info & Resources from the American Canoe Association (ACA)

"A Paddler's Guide to the Delaware River" by Gary Letcher