Kayaking in NJ offers a wide variety of scenic and wildlife experiences, with a range water from easy flat water to the more intermediate, challenging rivers and beach areas.
Kayaks come in several shapes, including single and double, and sit-ins and sit-on's.
Sit-on kayaks have a slightly wider hull where paddlers sit higher up from the bottom.
Most sit-on-tops are built for recreational paddling, beginning paddlers, novice canoeists, and for people who have flexibility problems with the traditional kayaks.
Many public Kayak launch sites require permits to launch a kayak. Please contact the launch site in advance of your trip to find out about their launch policy.
Lake Hopatcong
Jefferson Township
973-663-2935
Lakeview Marina Website
Being on New Jersey's largest lake means that there are plenty of places for kayakers to paddle and explore.
Lakeview offers Kayak rentals, and has a boat ramp for launching kayaks.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Columbia, New Jersey
800-543-0271
Delaware River Rentals Website
Located in the northwest corner of New Jersey, the park runs along 40 miles of the Delaware River, including where it cuts through a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains to form the famed “gap.” The park is a magnet for kayak enthusiasts.
Delaware River
Kittatinny to Belvidere
(908) 496-4458
Kittatinny Point Visitor Center Website
Comparable to the upper sections of the Delaware, you will paddle through a few more, and bigger, waves to add to the excitement. Count at least 7 sets of class II rapids throughout this trip.
The Kittatinny Ramp is near the visitor center, 100 yards upstream from the ramp, kayaks and canoes can be walked down to the river from the parking area.
Belvidere New Jersey Ramp is located on Front Street in Belvidere, NJ 50 yards South of the Delaware River Bridge. The ramp opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM with a locked cable.
Kayak East Tours
They offer tours for the novice up to experts, along the Delaware River, Statue of Liberty, Graveyard of Ships, Splitrock Reservoir, Meadowlands and more. They supply the boat, paddle, life jacket (PFD) and instruction.
Kayak East Website
1-866-529-2532
Hackensack River Water Trail
Laurel Hill County Park
Secaucus
Laurel Hill County Park Website
201-968-0808
Launch and retrieve kayaks at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. River access is free and available to boaters with craft up to 24 feet in length. They offer fifty-two canoes and kayaks for rental.
Kayak on the Hudson River in Hoboken
Hoboken Cove Boathouse Website
[email protected]
Launch from the The Hoboken Cove Boathouse. All of their activities are free and open to the public. The kayaking season at Maxwell Place begins in late May and runs through September (weather permitting). They have free kayaking programs during the season. Kids under 16 can paddle with a parent or an adult over 18. They supply the kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. Located at the intersection of Frank Sinatra Drive and Maxwell Place on the Hoboken waterfront.
Meadowlands Commission's River Barge Park and Marina
260 Outwater Lane
Carlstadt, NJ
(201) 460-1700
River Barge Park & Marina Website
A 5.5-acre tract on the Hackensack River. The marina's launching ramp provides the first public boating access to the river's western shore in Bergen County. The park includes a boat ramp, docks, paddling and rowing launch points, a 17-slip marina, a scenic promenade with picnic tables, and paths lined by native plants.
There is also a launch point for canoes, kayaks, and sculls.
Merrill Creek Reservoir
34 Merrill Creek Road
Washington, NJ
(908) 454-1213
Website
Paddle past the red pine and cedar-lined shore forests and fields amongst wildlife and water fowl, where you will find mergansers, king fishers, pileated woodpeckers, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, muskrat, hawks and herons.
kayaks must be launched from the boat ramp on the east side of the reservoir. The Boat Ramp is open from Sunrise to Sunset. The ramp will remain open year round, unless it is inaccessible due to ice
Monksville Reservoir
Ringwood, NJ
(973) 962-7031)
Near Ringwood State Park, the undeveloped shores of this lake create a peaceful location for paddlers looking to get away from it all. In the northwest corner of the reservoir you can float through flooded standing timber, and experience in the now-weathered trunks.This horseshoe shaped reservoir with steep forested banks isolate you from the outside world as you paddle and enjoy the beautiful natural settings all around. It's especially scenic in the autumn when great walls of color make it especially beautiful.
For kayak tours, check out Kayak East
Launch site:
Greenwood Lake Turnpike (CR 511) at Long Pond Ironworks State Park, located just south of the New York / New Jersey border by Ringwood just north of the Wanaque Reservoir. Parking is available at the north boat ramp
Overpeck Park Kayak Center
40 Fort Lee Road
Leonia, NJ
201-957-3085
Overpeck County Park Website
The park straddles Overpeck Creek, forming a lake. and is one of the best places to learn, because it’s protected and calm. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.
Passaic River
Two Bridges Road
Lincoln Park
Bordered on both sides by The Great Piece Meadows, this section of the river is isolated where you will see plenty of wildlife such as hawks, herons, fox and deer. Do it in the fall with a great backdrop of all the fall colors.
Enter the Pompton River, proceed for a few yards, then turn right onto the Passaic River.
Warning: On the Passaic river, do not go beyond the first bridge where the two rivers meet. Â There is a waterfalls that can be dangerous.
Launch Site:
Off Route 80, Exit 52, Lincoln Park/Fairfield/The Caldwells. Stay right at fork off exit and at stop sign turn left onto Two Bridges Road. Go 0.2 miles to stop sign. Park across road in dirt lot.
Passaic River
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Somerset County
Somerset County Kayak Website
Bordering the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, this section of the Passaic river boasts some beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. Along with numerous bird species found here it is also home to the endangered Bog Turtle as well as beaver, deer, fox and many more animals. They offer a variety of Kayak trips from beginners to intermediates
South Branch of the Raritan River - Ken Lockwood Gorge
The Ken Lockwood Gorge, just north of High Bridge, is one of the State's most picturesque wildlife management areas The river is mostly Class 1 except for the short stretch in starting in Califon known as Ken Lockwood Gorge.
The paddling the gorge is for the moew experienced kayaker. It consists of about 3 miles of class III mixed boulder garden and ledge rapids.
There are no boat liveries on the South Branch so you must come prepared with your own boats and shuttle system.
Suggested access points: Put-in: 40.706402 ,-74.861801 Take out 40.681801 ,-74.877899
Hoffman's Crossing Bridge has a gravel parking spots and is the typical put-in. You can also put in about 1/4 mile downstream on river left. There is a State Park parking area with a few spots.
For take out, paddle down to Lake Solitude. There is a gravel parking spot along river road at the head of the lake,
Split Rock Reservoir
Splitrock Road
Boonton, NJ
Website
The Split Rock reservoir is a scenic water body ringed by hills and rock cliffs, with several islands. It's approximately 4 miles at it's widest point, with a dam/bridge on the south side, and a large island about halfway in.
The reservoir and surrounding land is owned by the State of New Jersey and the public may access the water body for kayaking from the public access parking area located near the dam.
Directions: Route 80 to exit Hibernia 37. Go north on Green Pond Road for 6.7 miles. (Pass Lake Telemark on left). Turn right onto Upper Hibernia Road (across from Marcella Community Center on left). After 1 mile, turn left onto Split Rock Road. Drive 1.2 miles to parking lot and put in location which is shortly after crossing over the dam. Split Rock Road is unpaved, with many potholes. Drive carefully.
Swartswood Lake
Newton, NJ
(973) 383-5230
Website
Swartswood Lake Boat Rentals Website
Paddle the perimeter of this glacially-formed lake for 5-6 miles and get to see two small islands, an old grist mill, a few homes and perhaps a Bald Eagle
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
Wallkill River Website
(973) 702-7266
Experience the great diversity of habitats that makes the refuge unique. Paddle through beautiful floodplain forests, wet meadows which are maintained by seasonal flooding, and under tall rock cliffs. Access points are where Rt. 642 crosses the Wallkill River in Wantage, Rt. 565 (Glenwood Road) in Vernon, New Jersey, about one-half mile north of the Rt. 23/Rt. 565 intersection.
Wawayanda Lake
885 Warwick Turnpike
Hewitt, NJ
973-853-4462
Website
Paddle this lake in the fall and experience this glacially formed lake in an Atlantic white cedar swamp and mixed oak-hardwood forest at it's best with scenic fall foliage. It is also home to many animals including deer, beaver, black bear and river otter.
Launch Site: From Route 23 north to Union Valley Road, Follow Union Valley Road about 6 miles to stop sign, At stop sign, proceed to second traffic light, Turn left, proceed ahead approx. 2 miles, to fork in road, bear left about 1/2 mile to Warwick Turnpike, turn left on Warwick Turnpike, proceed 4 miles, the park entrance is on the left, proceed approx 1.5 miles, and turn left into first parking area. Go past the first parking area and follow road to boat ramp parking area.
White Lake Natural Resource Area
120 Stillwater Rd
Hardwick, NJ
Website
(973)937-8748
White lake is a NJ spring fed lake treasure! This easy paddle with exceptionally clear blue water down to the white bottom will feel like your in another land.
Continue down the driveway past the parking lot to drop your boat at the launch, and then park your vehicle back at the lot. Restrooms: Portable toilet in the parking lot.
The park offers a limited number of kayaks by reservation only (free).
This 394 acre preserve is owned by the County of Warren. White Lake itself is a deep 69-acre spring fed water body. Beneath the clear blue water lays a chalky marl bottom composed of freshwater mollusk shells and clay. Set out on your kayak or canoe and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the lake..
The White Lake Natural Resource Area has been officially designated as a National Geographic Geotourism Destination.