Scenic Lakes and Rivers of New Jersey
With Things To Do

Wanaque River, Passaic, NJ

When NJ residents and visitors think about swimming, fishing, boating and other water sports, the first thought that usually comes to mind is the Jersey Shore. NJ is more than the Jersey shore.

There is a treasure of relatively unknown freshwater lakes and rivers in New Jersey that have excellent boating, fishing, swimming and touring.

North Jersey Lakes and Rivers

The Delaware River

The Delaware River is the most popular river in New Jersey for recreational use. The New Jersey non-tidal section of the river runs from the border of New York/Pennsylvania downstream south to Trenton, just north of the Rt 1 over pass. The clean, clear waters of the River and it's cold tributary streams support a landscape rich in fish and wildlife and the scenic vistas of the Delaware Water Gap. It is also a vital natural resource for drinking water with over 15 million people — about 5 percent of the nation's population — relying on the Delaware River Basin for their drinking water. Popular recreational activities include: kayaking, canoeing, tubing, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Boat & Tubing rentals & River trips
Kittatinny Canoes (rentals, river trips, campsites)
Dingmans Base
2130 State Route 739
Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
800-356-2852
Website

Campgrounds
Delaware Water Gap - Worthington State Forest
Old Mine Road
Columbia NJ
(908) 841-9575
Website
There are 69 tent and trailer sites. Most sites have easy access to modern toilets and showers. Primitive camping sites are available only for boaters and canoeists traveling from one access point to another.

Camp Taylor Campground
Columbia, NJ
Website
Located on 400 acres adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Appalachian Trail, New Jersey's most majestic terrain. The heavily wooded mountain ridges provide large shaded sites with a remote wilderness setting and miles of hiking trails. They offer a variety of primitive, electric and water sites.

Deleaware River Area - Places to Stay

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Greenwood Lake

Photo Courtesy:  Luke Gordon from Greenwood Lake, NY, USA - 7 November023, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3343964

Lake Hopatcong, located in Sussex & Morris Counties, is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. About 4 square miles in area, the lake is in the state's northern mountains A very popular lake with year round activities including boating (boat power boating and sailing) swimming, fishing including winter ice fishing & ice skating. They have an excellent marina and Sunday Sailboat regattas.

Greenwood Lake Area - Places to stay

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Lake Hopatcong

Photo Courtesy: Borough of Hopatcong & Brad Guice

Lake Hopatcong, located in Sussex & Morris Counties, is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. About 4 square miles in area, the lake is in the state's northern mountains A very popular lake with year round activities including boating (boat power boating and sailing) swimming, fishing including winter ice fishing & ice skating. They have an excellent marina and Sunday Sailboat regattas.

Lake Hopatcong Area - Places to Stay

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Spruce Run Recreation Area

Photo Courtesy: State of New Jersey Division Parks and Forestry

Spruce Run Recreation Area, located in Clinton, NJ, (off Van Syckel's Road) is popular with picnickers, swimming, fishing, boating, camping and hiking. Operated by the state, it covers 1,290 acres with 15 miles of shoreline for recreation. Spruce Run is the third largest reservoir in the state after Round Valley and Wanaque reservoirs.

Campgrounds
Spruce Run Recreation Area
68 Van Syckel's Road
Clinton, NJ 08809
(908) 638-8572
Website
67 tent and trailer sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Flush toilets and showers are within walking distance. Open April 1 through October 31.

Spruce Run Recreation Area - Places to Stay

Central Jersey Lakes and Rivers

Frenchtown Area - Delaware river

Photo Courtesy: Frenchtown Business & Professional Association

The Victorian village of Frenchtown offers many river attractions. It's a scenic place for boating & tubing river trips, and to walk or bike the riverside canal paths.

Boat & Tubing rentals & River trips

Delaware River Tubing
2998 Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29)
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908-996-5386
Website

Get MY Boat Kayak Rentals
736 Frenchtown Road
Route 12
Milford, New Jersey 08848
Website

Frenchtown Area - Places to Stay

South Jersey Lakes and Rivers

Batsto River

Photo Courtesy: CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=524461

The Batsto River, located in Burlington County, is a 22 mile long tributary of the Mullica River flowing through the Pine Barrens and Wharton State Forest.. It is a popular recreation river for canoeing and kayaking for all skill levels and for summertime swimming. The Batsto River is known for having more variety than any other river in the Pine Barrens. Though of the four rivers that flow through the Wharton State Forest, it is the least accessible. It's ideal for people who seek solitude.

Mullica River

Photo Courtesy: CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=524492

Mullica River is a 51 mile-long river flows from central Camden County, near Berlin and east-southeast across the state, crossing the Wharton State Forest. Near The Forks it connects with the Batsto River (above) and widens into a navigable river for 20 miles and emptying into Great Bay 10 miles north of Atlantic City. This is an excellent trip for paddling enthusiasts.

Boat Rentals and Campgrounds For the Batsto & Mullica Rivers

Pinelands Adventures
1005 Atsion Road
Atsion
609- 268 - 0189
Website

Bel Haven Canoes, Kayaks & Tubes
1227 Route 542
Green Bank, NJ 08215
(609) 965-2205
1-800-445-0953
Website

Camp Grounds
Wharton State Forest
Reserve America
Atsion Village, NJ
1-855-607-3074.
Website
Atsion office is open seasonally from April 1st-October 31st. Housed in the former general store of Atsion Village

Batsto & Mullica Rivers - Places to Stay

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