Staff Picks! Michele’s Top 5 Spots to Kayak in NJ

New Jersey has no shortage of waterways available for our enjoyment, from lakes and rivers to bays and the ocean. Now that the sun is shining warmly, we’ve got some tips on where to make the most of your summer on New Jersey’s waters.

1. Horse Shoe Cove (Monmouth Hills, NJ)

Paddle around Sandy Hook Bay, though the tides make this spot better suited to more experienced paddlers. Located in Gateway National Recreation Area, with beaches all around, there is plenty to see and do before or after paddling here.

2. Liberty State Park (Jersey City, NJ)

Paddle around New York Harbor for truly spectacular views of the city skyline Statue of Liberty. Follow up your paddle with a rest in Liberty State Park or a walk through the Liberty Science Museum.

3. Hopatcong Lake State Park (Landing, NJ)

Lake Hopatcong is a great experience for a paddle day. Full of life and boating on summer weekends, Hopatcong is NJs largest freshwater lake. Follow up your paddle with lunch or dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants.

4. Elsinboro Point (Salem, NJ)

Paddle the beautiful Delaware River from this sandy launch site. Head north towards the Supawna Meadows Wildlife Refuge (2,200 acres of tidal marshes) or Fort Mott (built in 1896!) to add some nature or history to your paddle.

5. River Barge (Carlstadt, NJ)

Put in at River Barge for a paddle up or down the Hackensack River where you’ll get to see some of the beautiful wetlands that make up NJs Meadowlands. The Hackensack River is also a great spot for bird lovers, with over 120 different species of birds in the region.

For more great places to paddle in NJ and around the country, check out Paddling.com’s interactive locations map here.