Newark Reservoir — paved rim circuit with hill approach
Delaware · Park loop
From the signed lower visitor entrance follow the public paved reservoir access path up to the rim. Complete one circuit on the signed asphalt rim path and return down the same access path. Stay outside fenced water-supply areas and wetlands; Redd Park natural trails are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Newark · Delaware
- Ride length
- About 1.8 miles including approach and rim circuit
- Ride format
- Loop
- Surface
- Asphalt approach and rim path
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Sustained climb from the lower entrance to the reservoir rim; level-looking rim does not make the approach flat. Walk the climb/descent if needed.
- Starting location
- Newark Reservoir public visitor entrance, 240 Old Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE
Municipal rim features 61+66 total about 1.096 miles; approach feature 26 about 0.352 mile is traveled twice, about 1.801 total. No missing link drawn.
Municipal mapped main-trail/access-path reference, not a surveyed street crossing, parking lot or stall. Directions uses the separately named public entrance.
Newark Reservoir — paved rim circuit with hill approach — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Newark Reservoir public visitor entrance, 240 Old Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE.
City facility record identifies public visitor parking at 240 Old Paper Mill Road. The older layer lists 60 spaces; nearby playground references may describe the same lot, so do not add counts. Park only in current designated open spaces.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: About 1.8 miles including approach and rim circuit. Format: Loop.
Ride: From the signed lower visitor entrance follow the public paved reservoir access path up to the rim. Complete one circuit on the signed asphalt rim path and return down the same access path. Stay outside fenced water-supply areas and wetlands; Redd Park natural trails are excluded.
Municipal rim features 61+66 total about 1.096 miles; approach feature 26 about 0.352 mile is traveled twice, about 1.801 total. No missing link drawn.
Surface and effort
Asphalt approach and rim path. Sustained climb from the lower entrance to the reservoir rim; level-looking rim does not make the approach flat. Walk the climb/descent if needed.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Sunrise to sunset. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. Current city reservoir rules open the multi-use trail sunrise–sunset. Fresh municipal trail GIS explicitly designates bicycle use and asphalt for approach 26 and rim features 61/66. Future capital repair schedules are not current closure evidence. Follow actual maintenance barriers and water-supply restrictions. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.