When it comes to creating beautiful natural settings, Mother Nature usually does the best job. But the man-made Lake Oswego comes in a close second. Originally constructed to create a reservoir for a downstream cranberry operation, Lake Oswego in Penn State Park is considered by many to be one of the prettiest spots in South Jersey.

Surrounded by the Pine Barrens, the 92 acre lake is edged by copses of white cedars, pine trees and the occasional maple tree. Picnickers can claim a bench and then whip out the binoculars for some after-lunch bird watching. Hikers can walk or bike along trails that wind around the lake.

But for paddlers, Lake Oswego is pure bliss. Load in your canoe or kayak (if you have an electric outboard motor, you can use the Lake, too.) and then paddle around the lake or head out to Harrisville Lake or Martha Pond, trips which should take experienced paddlers around 4 hours or so. And don’t let the fact that you don’t own a canoe or kayak stop you. There are a number of liveries in the area that provide service to Lake Oswego including Belhaven Canoe Rentals (800 445 0953), Micks Canoe Rental (609 726 1380), and Pine Barrens Canoe Kayak Rentals (800-732-0793), that can hook you up with the equipment you need. 

If you prefer to stay put, stand on the Lake’s sandy shoreline and cast your line for pickerel, catfish or sunfish swimming around. Better yet, just slather on the sunscreen and lay back and soak up the sun.
Or go for a walk along the bank of the lake.  Look closely and you'll see evidence of the Lake's cranberry-related origins. Look for tiny, glossy-green leaves of low-growing green cranberries (they don't  start turning red until around the middle of August.) If you visit in October and November, when the fruits are ripe, be aware that wild cranberries are quite tart. The blueberries, however, are sweet and ready to eat.