Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park: Blackwells Mills Day Use Area
Blackwells Mills, Franklin Township, Somerset County

Directions:

US 287 south; exit 12; turn left onto Weston Canal Road; right turn onto Mettlers Road passing by Colonial Park; right onto Amwell Road (Route 514); left turn onto Market Street and go through town of East Millstone; and onto Griggstown Canal Road; stop sign at the intersection of this road and Blackwell Mills Road; turn right and cross over the canal bridge.  There is a picnic area nearby at the Blackwell Mills Day Use Area.  (Nearby is the Six Mile Reservoir Site.)

Blackwell's had a large grist mill, fulling mill, store and several dwellings. A bridge crossed the Millstone River at Blackwells. Peter Schenck ground flour here in 1776.

Also here is the canal, a bridge tender's station and house (1835).

The Bridge tender's House, wooden bridge and mill site are reminders of the area's active past. Several annual events are held at the house. Picnic tables and grills are located around a large field with views of the river. This historic site provides access to the canal, towpath and river.

Griggstown and Blackwells Mills are located between the Millstone River and the D&R Canal and can be reached off Route 533, Millstone River Road in Hillsborough or from Canal Road in Franklin Township. Both historic sites provide access to the Millstone River as well as the canal and towpath.

The park office is a short walk south on Canal Road from Blackwells Mills. Trail heads for Six Mile Run Reservoir are near the office. Horse trailer parking is available.