Exploring the Serenity of Pine Barrens
Canoeing and Kayaking

A guide to boat rentals and tours for Pine Barrens Canoeing and Kayaking

Many outdoor enthusiasts regard Pine Barrens canoeing or kayaking in the Pine Barrens as one of the best ways to experience the Pine lands up-close.
Here is information on how to go about it.

Where to find the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Imagine a triangle between New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City with a million-acre chunk of arid pine forests, cedar swamps, and twisty little rivers right in the middle. It’s a place called the New Jersey Pine Barrens, also known as the Pine lands, where you can paddle for two days and not see a single house.

The scenery is gorgeous - huge pines, cedars and oaks; birds singing; the clear brownish red cedar water of the river often times, the only sign of humanity in this vast forest as you quietly glide through the Pines.

A number of privately owned canoe/kayak rental agencies or "liveries," are located throughout the area, offering trips down such rivers as the Mullica, Batsto, Oswego, the Wading, and Cedar Creek.

A trip down one of these Pine lands waterways can last from 1 to 9 hours, depending on the route you choose and the river conditions. Some liveries offer overnight trips. Most of them are open from May to November.

Pine Barrens Guided Canoe & Kayak Trips

Jersey Devil Adventures
847 S White Horse Pike
Hammonton, NJ
An outdoor outfitter offering kayak rentals, canoe rentals, expedition services, guided tours, paddling instruction, and more!
They offer guided Mullica River trips for for all levels of paddlers from novice to experienced adventurers.

Pine lands Adventures
1005 Atsion Road
Shamong, NJ 08088
Take a 3-hour trip winding down the Mullica River to a beaver pond with one of Pinelands Adventures' trained guides. Participants will get an introduction to Pine Barrens plants and animals while exploring the river.This is a great trip for individuals, families, scout troops, or groups. Participants must be able to canoe or kayak for at least 2 hours and able to walk on uneven terrain.

Pine Barrens Canoe & Kayak Launching Sites

Mullica River (at Crowley's Landing)
Route 542
Crowleytown, NJ
39آ 34' 41.2464" N, 74آ34' 11.1432" W
No Fees. Excellent conditions
Parking is excellent. Launch Area Surface
Rest rooms available

Batsto Lake
Batsto River Rd,
Hammonton, NJ 08037,
Latitude: 39.644861 Longitude: -74.652034
This is the main take out for downriver trips on the Batsto river. Launch site is half way up the lake. The Batsto River has a very gentle flow and the best average water level of the pine barren rivers. This is an excellent up-river paddle.
Fees: None

Wading River - Lower (at Beaver Branch)
Off County Route 679
New Gretna , NJ
39آ 37' 12.9144" N, 74آ 27' 24.102" W
Limited dirt parking. Launch Area Surface: Sand
No rest room facilities

Wading River - Hawkins Bridge Put-in
Off Hawkins Bridge Road
(N39 42.831 W74 33.916)
Directions: Garden State Parkway North to 50 exits to Rt 9 drive to stop light in New Gretna, make a left on Maple Ave turns into rt 679 follow total of about 6.5 miles to Bodine field entrance another two miles to merge with Rt 563, left turn for evans bridge, right/straight about 3/4 mile to godfrey bridge campground entrance. From 206 east on rt 30 to rt 542, about 11 miles to rt 563 about 4.5 miles to Evan Bridge parking just over bridge on right.
Access to launch area requires a drive down a dirt road about 2.5 miles

Wading River - Pull outs
Godfrey Bridge
39آ41'23.22 N, 74آ32'45.77 W (3 miles from Hawkins)
Evan Bridge
39آ 40'29.98 N, 74آ32'26.49 W(6 miles from Hawkins)
Bodine Field
39 39'14.09 N, 74آ 31'29.20 W (9 1/2 miles from Hawkins)
Beaver Branch
39آ 39'2.32 N, 74 31'7.70 W (10 miles from Hawkins)

Pine Barrens Canoe & Kayak Rentals

Al & Sam's Canoe and Boat Rentals
2626 West Weymouth Road
Newfield, NJ
Maurice River on the Parvin State Park, They rent kayak / canoes for the day or paddle the wild & scenic Maurice river. They will drop you and your party off and pick you up at a predetermined location down the river. They offer 3 different pick up points you may choose from determined by the amount of time / distance you would like to paddle and your paddling experience. If you enjoy fishing, just bring a rod and tackle, we have special kayaks set up for fishing. They have night crawlers available for bait for purchase.

Micks Pine Barrens Canoe & Kayak Rentals
3107 Route 563
Chatsworth, NJ
Micks rents canoes and kayaks for trips on the rivers of Wharton State Forest. They are the closest canoe and kayak rental service to the Wading and Oswego Rivers.

Pine lands Adventures - Pine Barrens Canoeing and Kayaking,
1005 Atsion Rd.
Shamong, NJ
Staying at a nearby campsite and want a canoe or kayak brought right to you? You can rent a canoe or kayak for use at Atsion Lake Cabins, Atsion Lake Family Campsites, or Goshen Pond Campsites

Pine Barrens Camping Sites & Reservations

Wading Pines Camping Resort
85 Godfrey Bridge Road
Chatsworth, NJ
Located right on the Wading River, their wooded sites accommodate every style of camping, from tent sites to spacious pull-thrus with hookups which include everything from 50-amp electric through free cable TV!
For non-campers, they also have a variety of 16 rental cabins, many with waterfront locations. Paddle downstream to one of the many secluded picnic spots along the riverbanks. If you prefer to stay "closer to home", you can picnic at their private island in the river.
Canoe & Kayak rentals are available along with a choice or trips lasting from one to five hours.

Wharton State Forest Camping
Nestled in the heart of the Pinelands National Reserve, Wharton State Forest offers a chance to experience the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem with a variety of natural and historic activities. Visitors may enjoy scenic hiking trails, canoeing or kayaking, exploring historic Batsto Village, swimming and picnicking at Atsion Recreation Area during the summer, fishing, bicycling, bird watching, camping, and more.