Ultimate Guide to Exploring New Jersey's Scenic Lakes and rivers
New Jersey's scenic lakes and rivers offer an easy escape when you want fresh air, peaceful views, and a memorable day trip without traveling far.
- New Jersey's scenic lakes and rivers offer opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping, and relaxing outdoors.
- Northern New Jersey destinations include Lake Marcia, the Delaware River, Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Lake Wawayanda, and White Lake.
- Central New Jersey's Spruce Run Recreation Area has 1,290 acres, 15 miles of shoreline, and facilities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping.
- Southern New Jersey's Batsto River and Mullica River are popular choices for canoeing, kayaking, paddling, and exploring the Pine Barrens.
- The best destination depends on your preferred activities, travel location, atmosphere, and need for nearby lodging or camping.
You can spend the day boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, or relaxing along the water, but choosing the right destination depends on your plans, location, and preferred atmosphere.
Start with these standout lakes and rivers, along with practical ideas for planning your visit.
Top Scenic Lakes and Rivers to Visit in Northern New Jersey
Discover Northern New Jersey’s most picturesque lakes and rivers, where serene views, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty come together for the perfect day trip.
Lake Marcia - High Point State Park
Photo courtesy New Jersey State Park Service
Lake Marcia at High Point State Park is a must visit for its serene mountain setting, crystal clear spring fed water, and the unbeatable backdrop of New Jersey’s highest peak.
It’s one of those rare spots where families can swim, sun, and picnic while enjoying sweeping views that feel almost alpine.
With its clean beach, calm atmosphere, and easy access to scenic trails and the iconic High Point Monument, Lake Marcia delivers a refreshing, peaceful escape that feels worlds away yet remains wonderfully accessible for a perfect summer day.
Places to Stay Near Lake Marcia
High Point Country Inn
Wantage, NJ
This mid-century motel sits atop a hill looking out across a beautiful valley adjacent to New Jersey's High Point State Park. The landscaped grounds include picnic tables, a fire pit and BBQ facility.
Reviews/Booking
The Minerals Hotel
Vernon, NJ
Nestled at the base of a scenic mountain range, Minerals Hotel offers 175 comfortably-appointed rooms surrounded by 4-season recreation including Mountain Creek Ski, Bike & Water Park, horseback riding and an aerial ropes course.
Hotel Website
Grand Cascades Lodge
Vernon, NJ
Ideally situated in the scenic mountains of northwestern New Jersey and just 47 miles from Manhattan, this elegant retreat offers spacious designer guest rooms with gourmet kitchens, fireplaces and balconies.
Hotel Website
Campgrounds
High Point State Park Sawmill Campground
There are 50 family campsites along Sawmill Lake with fire rings and picnic tables. All sites can accommodate approximately 2 tents, and some can also accommodate small trailers. Pit toilets that flush are within walking distance.
High Point State Park Campgrounds
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 overpass.
The clean, clear waters of the River and its cold tributary streams support a landscape rich in fish and wildlife and the scenic vistas of the Delaware Water Gap.
Popular recreational activities include: kayaking, canoeing, tubing, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Delaware River Boat & Tubing rentals & River tours
Delaware River Tubing
778 Frenchtown Road
Milford, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
They offer outfitting and tours for Delaware River tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting
Places to Stay Near the Delaware River
Belvidere Hotel
Belvidere, NJ
A quaint hotel in the charming town of Belvidere that brings the best of towns shops and restaurants to your doorstep.
Hotel website
Rosemary Inn
Columbia, NJ
Located on seventeen acres, explore the property's nature trails or cuddle up with a good book within the rustic interweaving of the inn's deco.
Hotel Website
Campgrounds
Delaware Water Gap -
Worthington State Forest
2 Old Mine Road
Columbia NJ
The park has 78 tent and trailer sites along two miles of river frontage. Each site contains a picnic table and a fire ring. Showers, modern toilet facilities and drinking water are available.
Visit their site to learn more
Camp Taylor Campground
Columbia, NJ
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.
Visit their site to learn more
Greenwood Lake
Photo Courtesy: Luke Gordon from Greenwood Lake, NY
Greenwood Lake is a seven mile long lake straddling the border on New York & New Jersey with West Milford, on the Jersey side;
A popular lake for boating and swimming. There are two public beaches for swimming on the New York side of the lake.
Learn More about Greenwood Lake..
Places to stay on Greenwood Lake
Waterstone Inn
Greenwood Lake, NY
The Lake side B & B Inn is quietly nestled between the Mountain and the beautiful Greenwood Lake. Near the Appalachian trails, fruit orchards & wineries. Also one of the largest water parks in Mountain Creek. Rooms are large with jacuzzi tubs.
Hotel Website
Lake Hopatcong- Sussex & Morris County's
Lake Hopatcong 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 recreational 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.
Learn more about Lake Hopatcong...
Places to Stay Near Lake Hopatcong
Quality Inn
Ledgewood, NJ
Located just two miles from Hopatcong State Park, the hotel is minutes from points of interest like Waterloo Village, Wild West City theme park, Land of Make Believe amusement park and Centenary College.
Hotel website
Whistling Swan Inn
Stanhope, NJ
An elegantly B&B restored 1905 Queen Anne Victorian mansion. Nestled in the village of Stanhope, NJ in the Skylands region of the state, the inn offers distinctively decorated rooms and suites, furnished in antiques and reproductions. Suites with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs for two. Massage services are also available
Hotel Website
Campgrounds
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
159 Weldon Rd,
Jefferson Twp, NJ
3,200 acres of near wilderness and recreational areas, with over 20 miles of multi-use trails. One of the Reservation s outstanding features is Headley Overlook, one of the highest points in the Morris County Park System.
Visit their site to learn more
Lake Wawayanda - Hewitt, NJ
Photo Courtesy: State of New Jersey Division Parks and Forestry
The lake is known for its scenic forested hills, many trails (including part of the Appalachian Trail), and tranquil atmosphere.
Swimmers love that the lake is crystal clear, offering glimpses of fish as they swim by. Visitors can also rent a variety of boats, including canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats.
Lake Wawayanda Campgrounds
Wawayanda State Park
885 Warwick Turnpike,
Hewitt, NJ
For Group Camping Only. Minimum group size 7 campers.
Visit their camping site
White Lake Natural Resource Area - Hardwick, NJ
Photo courtesy njhiking.com
White Lake is a deep 69-acre spring fed water body. Beneath the clear blue water lays a white chalky bottom which is composed of freshwater mollusk shells and clay.
Visitors can enjoy, hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, fishing, hunting (by permit only), and picnicking.
Visit their site to learn more
Campgrounds Near White Lake
Great Divide Campground
68 Phillips Road,
Newton, NJ
They offer cabins and cable TV hookups. Prefer to 'unplug'? Choose a primitive campsite and enjoy sleeping under the stars. Their amenities include an olympic-sized pool, private lake, and a full schedule of family-friendly activities.
Visit their site to learn more
Top Scenic Lakes and Rivers to Visit in Central New Jersey
Discover Central New Jersey’s top scenic lakes and rivers, where tranquil waters, lush shorelines, and hidden coves offer the perfect escape for kayaking, fishing, and peaceful picnicking
Photo Courtesy: State of New Jersey Division Parks and Forestry
Popular with picnickers, swimming, fishing, boating, camping and hiking.
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.
Visit the site to learn more...
Places to Stay Near Spruce Run Recreation Area
Riverside Victorian Bed Breakfast - Clinton, NJ
A 6 room 1882 historic inn located in the heart of Clinton, one block from the village shops, major attractions, and casual restaurants.
Reviews/booking
Hampton Inn - Clinton, NJ
A 131 room hotel located at the top of a hill overlooking beautiful landscape of Hunterdon County.
Hotel website
Campgrounds
Spruce Run Recreation Area
68 Van Syckel's Road,
Clinton, NJ
67 tent and trailer sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Flush toilets and showers are within walking distance.
Visit their site to learn more
Top Scenic Lakes and Rivers to Visit in Southern New Jersey
Discover Southern New Jersey's scenic lakes and winding rivers, where peaceful waters, outdoor recreation, and breathtaking natural beauty create unforgettable destinations for every season
Batsto River - Burlington County
Photo Courtesy Mwanner, Wikipedia
A 22 mile long tributary of the Mullica River flowing through the Pine Barrens and Wharton State Forest.
It's 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.
Learn More..
Places to Stay Near Batsto River
Isaac Hilliard House Bed and Breakfast
Pemberton, NJ
A charming circa 1749, four unit B & B with a swimming pool.
Hotel website
Mullica River - Camden County Emptying into Great Bay
Photo Courtesy: Mwanner, Wikipedia
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.
Learn more..
Mullica River Boat Rentals and River Tours
Pinelands Adventures Tours & Rentals
1005 Atsion Road,
Atsion, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Campgrounds Near Mullica River
Belhaven Resort & Campground & Boat Rentals
Green Bank, NJ
Belhaven Lake RV Resort! Belhaven Lake RV Resort is a southern New Jersey RV park / resort campground offering seasonal RV camping in the Pine Barrens.
Visit their site to learn more
Wharton State Forest Campgrounds
Hammonton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
About New Jersey's Scenic Lakes and Rivers
What are the best scenic lakes and rivers to visit in New Jersey?
Popular destinations include Lake Marcia, the Delaware River, Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Lake Wawayanda, White Lake, Spruce Run Recreation Area, the Batsto River, and the Mullica River. Each location offers a different mix of swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, paddling, picnicking, lodging, and camping.
Which New Jersey lakes are best for swimming and boating?
Lake Marcia, Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, and Lake Wawayanda are among the strongest choices for swimming and boating. Lake Marcia has a beach and calm water, while Lake Hopatcong offers boating, fishing, sailing, ice fishing, and ice skating throughout the year.
Where can you go kayaking or canoeing in New Jersey?
The Delaware River, Batsto River, Mullica River, and Lake Wawayanda are good choices for kayaking, canoeing, and other paddling activities. The Batsto River is especially suited to visitors looking for a Pine Barrens setting and a less accessible, more solitary outing.
Which New Jersey lakes and rivers are best for camping?
High Point State Park, Worthington State Forest, Spruce Run Recreation Area, Wawayanda State Park, Great Divide Campground, Wharton State Forest, and Camp Taylor offer camping near scenic lakes and rivers. Available facilities vary, with options that include tent sites, trailer sites, cabins, primitive camping, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings.
What is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey?
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. The approximately four-square-mile lake is located in the state's northern mountains and offers boating, sailing, swimming, fishing, winter ice fishing, and ice skating.
