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In and On the Water
However you like to play around the water, South Jersey has dozens and dozens . . . and dozens of lake, rivers, streams, creeks and ponds that are liquid playgrounds.



Mick's Canoe Rental
You don’t need your own canoe to paddle through the Pinelands as long as Mick’s Canoe Rental is around. The livery service, located smack in the middle of the Pinelands, has canoes, kayaks (and of course life vests) so you can explore the Oswego and Wading rivers. If you want to spend the night, you can book campsites at state parks and private campgrounds through their website. They’ll even come and get you at the end of your trip.
 
Mullica River
No surprise that segments of the Mullica River have been designated part of the Wild and Scenic River System of New Jersey. Although not necessarily wild, as it winds through the Pine Barrens, the Mullica is very, very scenic with landscapes that vary from thick pine forests to sandy banks to marshy wetlands. With numerous camp sites, launches for boating, trails galore and thousands of species of plants, birds and wildlife, the 55-mile Mullica is an outdoor treasure.
 
Oswego Lake
Deep in the Pine Barrens is the 92-acre Oswego Lake, a hidden gem that many people don't know about. But to paddlers, Oswego is nirvana.  The combination of its tree-lined setting and canoe/kayak trips that can go on for hours and hours make it a favorite for beginners as well as experienced paddlers. 
 
Paddle Shack Canoe & Kayak
When it comes to canoeing and kayaking, if you can name it, Paddle Shack Canoe and Kayak shop has it. They rent. They sell. They give lessons. And because they know that once you try it out you’ll be hooked, they even have a “Paddle Shack Partners” membership program – sort of a frequent paddler plan – that gives discounts and special percs for members.
 
Tuckerton Seaport Museum
Cruise along the boardwalk that winds through Tuckerton Seaport 40 acres and you’ll not only travel into different centuries, you’ll discover the culture of the men and women whose lives are defined by the Barnegat Bay. Throughout the Seaport’s wetlands, maritime forest, and 17 original and re-created buildings, including boatbuilding centers, museum exhibits, and a real working wooden charter boat.
 
Adams Canoe Rental
The rivers of the Pinelands reveal their secrets when you see them up close and personal – wildlife, birds, foliage – and Adams Canoe Rental can set you up with everything you need for an afternoon of water-borne fun. Overnight trips are available for hearty souls who can’t get enough “canoe”-dling.
 
Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
It sits 11 stories high, weighs 45,000 tons, has 33 guns and is the most decorated battleship in the history of the American Navy. Having fought valiantly in every military conflict from World War II through Vietnam, the Battleship New Jersey now dominates the southern end of the Camden Waterfront, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of the sailors who served on board.
 
Crystal Lake Park
There are lots of surprises hidden in the 338-acre Crystal Lake Park such as upland forests, fields and wetlands and plant species that are rarely found in this section of New Jersey. Bring your binoculars so that as you hike the winding trails, you can spot the resident birds -- eagles, osprey, herons, egrets and other winged water birds.
 
Double Trouble State Park
There’s double the fun awaiting you at Double Trouble State Park. Part historic site (many of the buildings from its 19th century roots as a cranberry production center are still preserved) and part natural playground (its 7,800 acres include trails, bogs, swamps, and Cedar Lake for fishing and boating), means you’ll want to spend twice as long exploring every nook and cranny.
 
Lake Absegami
Deep in the heart of Bass River State Park, you’ll find Lake Absegami -- 67 acres of cool, refreshing fun. During the summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for a cool dip and with playground equipment nearby. Boating and canoeing are also permitted in areas of the lake. The Natural Area surrounding the Lake is a nature-watcher’s dream, especially for birders who want to add songbirds to their life list. Nature trails wind through the Absegami wetlands forest, thick with Atlant
 
Lake Kandle Campground and Swim Club
No wonder there isalways a waiting list for one of the 120 campsites at Lake Kandle campground. There are so many amenities and activities here -- a fully-stocked lake for fishing and boating, a huge new pool, paddle boats, a playground, ball courts and a jam-packed activities schedule -- that it takes the whole season to do it all. Which works out well since all the campsites are full-season rentals.
 
Sunset Beach
As soon as someone comes up with the words to describe the sunsets at Sunset Beach, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile, “spectacular,’ ‘breathtaking,’ and ‘mesmerizing’ will have to do. Located at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, the skies over Sunset Beach are slathered with scarlet, fuschia, pink and gold. With the patriotic flag-lowering tradition and the year-round abundance of birds and waterfowl, a visit is a remarkable experience.
 
The Wetlands Institute
Pssst. Want to know where all the action is on the Jersey shore? The Wetlands Institute. You read right. Spread out over 6,000 acres of pristine salt marsh, TWI is buzzing with activity. For one thing, the place is world-famous for its research with diamond-back terrapins. Then there are all the trails, the observation tower, hands-on exhibits, an aquarium, and land and water-based activities that will get everyone excited about protecting the environment.
 
Winding River Campground
Even in camping it all comes down to location, location, location. And you can’t get a location much better than Winding River Campground’s. Situated along the Great Egg Harbor River, the campground’s 105 trailer sites and 28 tent sites (as well as their 2 rental cabins) get the benefit of cool river breezes as well as lots of opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and tubing down this Wild and Scenic River.  
 
Camp Dark Waters
Camp Dark Waters serves its community of campers and staff by running recreational activities that are fun and nurture the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional life of young Friends and others. Based on the Quaker testimonies of Peace, Education, Simplicity, Stewardship, Equality, and Integrity, Camp Dark Waters' diverse community builds new friendships in a "family" atmosphere.
 
Dennis Creek Wildlife Management Area
The Dennis Creek WMA covers most of the marsh area west of Route 47 and the areas north and south of Dennis Creek in Cape May County. This WMA exemplifies New Jersey's finest salt marshes, but also encompasses tidal wetlands and a few fields and forested areas. The WMA aims to preserve the abundance and availability of the tidal food web for fish, shellfish, and local wildlife. Species native to the area include black ducks, snow geese, teal, shorebirds, deer, woodcock, and marine fish.
 
Greenwich Lake Park
The 40-acre spring-fed Greenwich Lake is stocked with trout and open year-round for fishing. The park's boat launch is open on weekends only during the summer season. Visitors also can enjoy watching wildlife in the natural surroundings, use picnic tables and grills and a playground. A picnic shelter and restrooms are available.
 
Memorial Lake
Named for its surrounding park that features several war and public service memorials, Memorial Lake is just one of many reasons for visit Woodstown.
 
New Jersey Kayak
Your source for Professional Coastal See Touring Kayak Instruction and Adventure Kayak Tours, NJ Kayak’s professional American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructors provide for your every need from novice to advanced.  Surrounded by The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ Kayak's waterfront marina is positioned on Barnegat Bay and offers miles of scenic coastal sea touring exploration.
 
Cove Campers Summer Camp
If you are dreading the kids’ traditional summer chant of “I’m bored,” the Cove Campers Summer Camp is for you . . . and them. The half-day environmental education program will have kids clamoring for more. During their sessions at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, kids entering grades 3 – 6 will have the chance to engage in all kinds of hands-on activities that will introduce them to the wonders of nature and the importance of keeping it safe.