OT Where do you Kayak in NJ

[BigRnj]

Follow up post - in addition to looking on Craig's List, some marinas and outfitters sell a few of their older models each year. I know Harvey Cedars Marina sells a few most years. I'm partial to Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT (a bit on the big side) but I use it in from open ocean to still lakes

 

[Knight Shift]

From the Ramshorn launch point I actually never went much past Rt. 70 bridge maybe 200 ft. it just got too congested for my liking, never made it to the island. Boaters are usually respectful when they see a kayaker, but those damn jet skiers have no respect for anyone. They fly right up on top of you. And there's hundreds there everyday in the summer it seems. They really are a nuisance for boaters and kayakers alike. But I might just suck it up and take your recommendation and launch from Osprey to the island. Thanks for the recommendation. I like the Navesink as well but usually travel up Swimming river from the launch point on West Front St. all the way up past the Parkway. Then it gets too shallow and the greenheads get quite abundant. I do have a kayak set up for fishing, but only use that one a couple of weeks a year up in the Adirondacks.

One other question--have you ever launched from north of Allaire State Park or from Brice Park, or paddled this far upstream (to Allaire)? Many years ago, I recall that we had to get out of our canoe multiple times to go over/around logs blocking the river?

 

[HeavenUniv.]

NJBoating.org has this list of ramps all over New Jersey--http://crssa-ext.rutgers.edu/boatramps/

 

[HeavenUniv.]

For those of you looking for Rutgers boat flags (can also be used on ATV's, motorcycles, and golf carts), here they are---http://www.collegeflagsandbanners.com/rutgers_boat_flag_25921_prd1.html

 

[koleszar]

One other question--have you ever launched from north of Allaire State Park or from Brice Park, or paddled this far upstream (to Allaire)? Many years ago, I recall that we had to get out of our canoe multiple times to go over/around logs blocking the river?

You can paddle for a little bit above Brice Park into Allaire, some logs most navigable, a little carrying. Then it gets narrow and lots of logs. I was adventurous in my younger days and made it to some type of damn. I doubt it was the reservoir, but you loose any type of bearings back there, so don't know where I made it to. More carrying than kayaking though but I was in great shape back then and didn't mind the extra workout. There is a small park North of Allaire over on West Farms Rd.,the river looks navigable. But never tried it, so don't know how far north or south you can travel from that point.

 

[cicero grimes]

Glimmer Glass / Manasquan river.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Here is another site with New Jersey trip and ramp information. Nacote Creek is my favorite trip--you get to paddle through a little fishing village and research station at one point---http://www.paddling.net/places/NJ/

 

[Daniel Shays]

This is what I am talking about, Cedar Creek.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...BF50E006180E4509945EBF50E&fsscr=0&FORM=VDQVAP

 

[fg7321]

We bought our Kayaks at Costco- $249 each (with seat and paddle) great way to start out if we really get serious we will upgrade in a few years.

Thanks for all the great info as always on this forum!

 

[BigRnj]

The lake at Turkey Swamp park (Freehold, Monmouth County) is a good place for beginners

 

[CornerTavern]

I like to kayak on shark River and Manasquan inlet.

 

[KaKaKen]

do kayaks go fast or is it just like rowing a boat?

 

[m1ipabrams]

do kayaks go fast or is it just like rowing a boat?

well, all kayaks will be faster then a row boat, but by how much will depend on the kayak and the kayaker....

Longer, narrower kayaks should be able to attain a higher speed then a shorter wider kayak, but the narrower kayaks are less stable for novices.

 

[Knight Shift]

You can paddle for a little bit above Brice Park into Allaire, some logs most navigable, a little carrying. Then it gets narrow and lots of logs. I was adventurous in my younger days and made it to some type of damn. I doubt it was the reservoir, but you loose any type of bearings back there, so don't know where I made it to. More carrying than kayaking though but I was in great shape back then and didn't mind the extra workout. There is a small park North of Allaire over on West Farms Rd.,the river looks navigable. But never tried it, so don't know how far north or south you can travel from that point.

We picked up two inflatable Sea Eagle SE370 kayaks from Amazon. They are great. We packed 2 kayaks in the back of our Audi Q5 with gear and room to spare. The kayaks come with foot pumps and it took about 5-10 minutes to inflate each kayak. We paddled from the Manasquan River Wildlife area off of Ramshorn Drive, out into the open river to about River Road in Wall. The trucking bridge for the old quarry was torn down many years ago. Also checked out Brice Park- there are signs posted that no vessels can be launched from the park. Looked like a lot of trees across the river at that point.

Our next trip will be from the upper Manasquan by Howell High School down to Allaire State Park.

The Sea Eagle kayaks are an excellent way to kayak if you don't have a roof carrier or pickup truck.

 

[koleszar]

We picked up two inflatable Sea Eagle SE370 kayaks from Amazon. They are great. We packed 2 kayaks in the back of our Audi Q5 with gear and room to spare. The kayaks come with foot pumps and it took about 5-10 minutes to inflate each kayak. We paddled from the Manasquan River Wildlife area off of Ramshorn Drive, out into the open river to about River Road in Wall. The trucking bridge for the old quarry was torn down many years ago. Also checked out Brice Park- there are signs posted that no vessels can be launched from the park. Looked like a lot of trees across the river at that point.

Our next trip will be from the upper Manasquan by Howell High School down to Allaire State Park.

The Sea Eagle kayaks are an excellent way to kayak if you don't have a roof carrier or pickup truck.

What a coincidence. Friends of ours just bought two inflatable paddle boards. They just took them out to the Shark River this weekend. They said they were great. He brought them over to our house and inflated them for me because I couldn't believe they get ridged enough to stand on. Sure enough they do. I was amazed. If I didn't already own 5 kayaks 1 touring(it's light carbon fiber), 1 fishing(very heavy), 2 ocean and 1 whitewater(no longer use got too fat) this is definitely the way to go. Easily portable and light. You have to tell me about your next trip I live less then 10 min. from the high school.

 

[RU22]

Swartswood Lake, Little Swartswood Lake and Lakes in Kittatinny State Park.

 

[Knight Shift]

Jersey Paddler closed last week after 50 years in business. Online retailers are killing brick and mortar businesses.
http://www.app.com/story/money/business/main-street/2016/06/17/jersey-paddler-closes/86045132/

 

[RU4ever]

Barnegat Light

 

[fg7321]

We picked up two inflatable Sea Eagle SE370 kayaks from Amazon. They are great. We packed 2 kayaks in the back of our Audi Q5 with gear and room to spare. The kayaks come with foot pumps and it took about 5-10 minutes to inflate each kayak. We paddled from the Manasquan River Wildlife area off of Ramshorn Drive, out into the open river to about River Road in Wall. The trucking bridge for the old quarry was torn down many years ago. Also checked out Brice Park- there are signs posted that no vessels can be launched from the park. Looked like a lot of trees across the river at that point.

Our next trip will be from the upper Manasquan by Howell High School down to Allaire State Park.

The Sea Eagle kayaks are an excellent way to kayak if you don't have a roof carrier or pickup truck.

Where is the access point?

 

[Knight Shift]

Where is the access point?

the Manasquan River Wildlife area.
Can you see this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1396779,-74.0981061,21z

 

[HeavenUniv.]

That really stinks about Jersey Paddler. They had everything,knew everything,were very helpful to newbies,the annual show at the Convention Center was GREAT--some years I went more than one day. I used to live in Columbia,SC which is a HUGE paddling area and the stores there were OK,but not near Jersey Paddler. If people are looking for stores in the state,REI and LL Bean have some locations in New Jersey,in addition to Campmor and Ramsey Outdoors.

 

[fg7321]

the Manasquan River Wildlife area.
Can you see this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1396779,-74.0981061,21z

Yep thanks I can see that...what about the launch from yellowbrook road have you done that?

 

[mikershoein]

Since the Flood is gone, head to the raritan.

 

[RUSK97]

That really stinks about Jersey Paddler. They had everything,knew everything,were very helpful to newbies,the annual show at the Convention Center was GREAT--some years I went more than one day. I used to live in Columbia,SC which is a HUGE paddling area and the stores there were OK,but not near Jersey Paddler. If people are looking for stores in the state,REI and LL Bean have some locations in New Jersey,in addition to Campmor and Ramsey Outdoors.

Losing Jersey Paddler is just tragic.

 

[Knight Shift]

Yep thanks I can see that...what about the launch from yellowbrook road have you done that?

Have not done that. In this thread, I posted a link to all launches in Monmouth. Here's a link for Yellowbrook:
http://www.jsska.org/launch-directory/manasquan-river-yellowbrook-road

 

[fg7321]

We have been out 4 weekends in a row best places so far are Assunpink Lake and the Manansquan River in Wall. Saw two eagles this am quite majestic . We went down river until Holly Blvd then turned back around and went back to the Wildlife Management Access .

Next trip is upriver from Manasquan wildlife management access road as far as we can go without trees blocking the way.

 

[RutgersMO]

Just bought two Kayaks live in Monmouth any places that are hidden gems?

PA?

MO

 

[_dave_]

Used to go on canoe trips on the Cedar Creek. Enter Double Trouble State Park, just off of GSP Exit 77. Sometime around 15 years ago they began to crack down on alcohol but don't know how lenient they are these days.

 

[Knight Shift]

We have been out 4 weekends in a row best places so far are Assunpink Lake and the Manansquan River in Wall. Saw two eagles this am quite majestic . We went down river until Holly Blvd then turned back around and went back to the Wildlife Management Access .

Next trip is upriver from Manasquan wildlife management access road as far as we can go without trees blocking the way.

Don't think you will get very far. Good luck with that.

 

[Rutgers1976]

Dick's is currently having a boat sale, just picked up a pair of 1 person kayaks for $179 each, regularly $299...we lost our kayak at the shore to Hurricane Sandy, just got back to finding replacements. All kayaking places in NJ are in play for us. We're near Rt. 78 at teh Union-Somerset-Morris border, but often go to the shore.

 

[FastMJ]

Anybody have any experience with Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks? Was considering getting the 370 linked below. Reviews are good, and this one is rated class 3. Can't deal with hassle of transporting a rigid kayak, and looking for portability. Sea Eagle has been around for quite a few years.

https://www.seaeagle.com/SportKayaks/SE370

I've had one of these for years and highly recommend. It can be taken on vacations in the trunk and is easy to set up. Never had any issue with leaking until last summer I dragged it over a sharp rock taking out but was able to patch it.

 

[Yeah Baby]

The point being that there are better places, closer. Round Valley is... a lake. Big whoop. We have one here, it's called Manasquan Reservoir - which, btw, has much more wildlife, including a couple nesting pairs of bald eagles.

What got your panties all in a bunch? Thread title asked where do you Kayak in NJ. RVR is one of the nicer places in the state. The Delaware River is also great. Neither are near Monmouth but the OP asked where in NJ so the answer was fair by RUSK97. I think all answers in NJ are fine. If anyone says something out of state then I will be pissed. LOL.