Tag Archives: canoeing

June 10, 2017 · 5:05 pm

Penbryn WMA Paddle – Winslow, NJ

Penbryn Wildlife Management Area Paddle – Winslow, Camden County, NJ
Distance: Aimless paddling on this good size lake racked up a mile of distance.
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: 1 of 10
Total score: 4 of 10

Note – You can also hike here, as previously covered

Website – Penbryn WMA
Open – Sunrise to Sunset.

Terrain – Lakeside

Boat ramp – 39°45’55.40″N, 74°56’10.49″W

Directions: Penbryn Road, Winslow, NJ (Note – in my GPS, it comes up as Berlin.) It’s just before the railroad track.

Parking: Roadside parking. If parking in the small pull off areas, be careful that you aren’t blocking the boat ramp.

Standouts – Nice views of the lake. Nice marsh at the back.

Map – Large map can be found at Penbryn WMA

Description: A few weeks ago, my Scouts had their weekly meeting, this week on how to use a canoe. Instead of practicing in a field, they decided to head to nearby Penbryn Lake to practice.

Well, sometimes you head out to teach the new Scouts how to paddle around a lake and stumble into a gorgeous sunset.

But first, the proprieties must be observed. There is a rough boat ramp (it drops off pretty quick) at the corner of the lake near to Penbryn Road. From here, you can head out to explore the lake by canoe, kayak, or boat. It’s not a huge lake, but its good for 45 minutes of exploring. Bring your fishing rod, this is a popular local spot to fish.

Okay, now the sunset pictures.

Thanks to NJ Monthly for including a version of this shot as their “Instagram Shot of the Week” in their weekly email newsletter!

Best meeting of the year.

Overall – Not worth driving huge distance to get here, but its a pretty little lake to canoe around. I’ve also hiked here (can do about a mile) and had a great time and The Pres’s very first time fishing was here too. Pretty sunset not guaranteed.

Wishbone Trail paddle – Rancocas Creek – Mt. Holly to Hainsport, NJ

Wishbone Trail – Rancocas Creek National Water Trail paddle – Mt. Holly to Hainsport, Burlington County, NJ
Distance – roughly 8 miles
Time – usually 3 to 4 hours (took us just over 3)
Type – down the North Branch of Rancocas Creek, then up the South branch!
Difficulty: 7 of 10 (for paddling against the current the last mile and a half)
Total score: 10 of 10

Website – Ranococas Creek National Water Trail (proposed)
Open – Sunrise to Sunset.

Terrain – the river passes through the middle of town, as well as through forests and swamps.

Launches –
Mount Holly – Launch at 39°59’24.58″N, 74°46’46.55″W (end of Wollner Drive in Iron Works Park) OR just the other side of the dam at Iron Works Park at the footbridge at 39°59’31.00″N, 74°46’55.59″W. We chose the first put in, which required taking the canoe out to portage around the dam.

Take out – Hainsport at Walnut Ave and Spruce Ave – 39°59’5.79″N, 74°50’37.40″W

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Filed under Canoeing, Outdoors., pine barrens, South Jersey

Tagged as Burlington County, canoeing, Hainsport, kayaking, Mt Holly, New Jersey, NJ, Rancocas Creek, South Jersey, South Jersey Trails

July 27, 2015 · 12:03 am

Woodbury Creek Paddle – Woodbury to Thorofare, NJ

Woodbury Creek Paddle – Woodbury Creek Park, Woodbury, NJ to Riverwinds, Thorofare (West Deptford), NJ
Distance: 4.5 (including stop at Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, NJ)
Type: One way
Difficulty: 3 of 10.
Total score: 8 of 10.

Terrain – Wide, tidal river with marshes

Put ins – Woodbury Creek Park – 39°50’29.02″N, 75° 9’17.74″W (careful, slippery!)

Put in at Woodbury Creek.

Pull outs – Red Bank Battlefield – 39°52’4.67″N, 75°11’30.95″W

Riverwinds – 39°51’45.79″N, 75°12’28.11″W

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Filed under Canoeing, Fishing, Outdoors., South Jersey

Tagged as boating, canoeing, Gloucester County, kayaking, national park, New Jersey, Red Bank Battlefield, South Jersey, Thorofare, West Deptford, Woodbury, Woodbury Creek

July 20, 2015 · 5:57 pm

Great Egg Harbor River Paddle – Penny Pot to Lake Lenape, Mays Landing

Great Egg Harbor River Paddle – Penny Pot in Hammonton to Lake Lenape, Mays Landing, NJ
Distance: 16.9 miles total (we did 2.7 miles)
Type: One way
Difficulty: 6 of 10 – I’m sure much lower when flow is normal
Total score: 7 of 10.

Breakdown (according to the Atlantic County Park System):
Penny Pot to Weymouth – 9.9 miles (4 – 6 hours)
Weymouth to Camp Acagisca – 2.7 miles (2 – 3 hours)
Camp Acagisca to Lake Lenape – 4.3 miles (3 – 4 hours)

Terrain – Forest and swamp

Map –

Put ins –
Penny Pot – 39°34’31.64″N, 74°49’20.54″W (8th Street, just off Rt 73 – Hammonton, NJ)
Weymouth Furnace – 39°31’4.22″N, 74°46’44.69″W – Weymouth Road, just off Rt 322 – Hamilton Twp, NJ)
Camp Acagisca – 39°29’36.36″N, 74°45’59.39″W (Weymouth Road, Mays Landing, NJ)

Take outs –
Weymouth Furnace – 39°31’4.22″N, 74°46’44.69″W – Weymouth Road, just off Rt 322 – Hamilton Twp, NJ)
Camp Acagisca – 39°29’36.36″N, 74°45’59.39″W (Weymouth Road, Mays Landing, NJ)

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Filed under Canoeing, Fishing, Outdoors., pine barrens, South Jersey

Tagged as Atlantic County, Camp Acagisa, canoeing, Great Egg Harbor River, Hamilton Township, Lake Lenape, Mays Landing, New Jersey, Penny Pot, South Jersey, Weymouth Furnace

July 14, 2015 · 10:05 am

Atsion Lake Paddle – Shamong, NJ

Atsion Lake Paddle – Atsion Recreation Area, Wharton State Forest, Shamong, Burlington County, NJ
Distance: The lake is over a mile long and up to a 1/4 mile wide. Can also come in from the Goshen Pond area, which Dan kayaked in from (roughly two miles, one way). We did a mile and a half in two relatively short trips, and we didn’t even get more than halfway down the lake.
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: 4 of 10 – Middle of the lake lack of current can be a pain in the arms.
Total score: 6 of 10.

Fees – If putting in at Atsion, $10 on weekends and $5 on weekdays to get into the lake area (in season)

Rentals – A boat concession rents out canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats right at the put in at Atsion Lake. Cash only I believe!

Terrain – pine forests, marshes, beautiful lake.

Directions – Atsion Lake Recreation Area is located on Route 206 in Shamong, NJ. Drive straight down the driveway to the end of the parking lot, then turn left. The entrance to the boat launch is a small dirt road on your right (it’s labeled!). If bringing your own, drive down and drop your canoe/kayak off at the water, then come back to the lot to park. If renting, park your car before heading down the road.

Short road to boat launch.

Put ins – 39°44’23.37″N, 74°43’53.07″W (dock at Atsion Lake Recreation Area)
39°44’34.91″N, 74°45’25.66″W (Ephraim Road past Goshen Pond Camping Area) – Note – I haven’t done this in a canoe, so not sure if a canoe can make it down. A kayak definitely can.

Lake put in.

Standouts – birds and beautiful cedar water

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Willingboro Lakes Park – Willingboro, NJ

Unmarked trail – Willingboro Lake (County) Park – Olympia Lakes, Willingboro, Burlington County, NJ
Distance: 0.5 miles or so one way, 1 mile round trip (we did 1 1/3 mile with some backtrack)
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: 1 of 10.
Total score: 4 of 10.

Terrain – lovely ridge between two lakes

Trailheads – 40° 2.151’N, 74° 55.200’W (Gate at parking lot)

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Filed under Hiking

Tagged as birding, Burlington County, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, New Jersey, Olympia Lakes, South Jersey, Willingboro, Willingboro Lakes Park

February 28, 2014 · 4:31 pm

Medford Canoe Trail – Medford, NJ

Not actually on the canoe trail, but this is where you'll finish up!

End of the line – Kirby’s Mill.

Medford Canoe Trail – Medford, Burlington County, NJ
Distance: 2 miles (took about two hours, with a walk around and a portage)
Type: One way
Difficulty: 6 of 10, mostly for one really hard carry over where a tree was blocking the way and poison ivy coated the bank of the river. That was a fun one! Other than that, super easy.
Total score: 7 of 10.
Official Website: http://medfordcanoetrail.wordpress.com/

Terrain – Town of Medford and more nature than you’d have imagined.

Put ins – Medford Park, off of Gill Street – 39° 53.640’N, 74° 49.541’W (short carry – 2 miles total, will have to go over a tree) or Coates Street put in (by cemetery – much closer drop off, can avoid tree we had to go over) – 39° 53.869’N, 74° 49.079’W

Put in at Medford Park.

Take outs – Kirby’s Mill – 39° 55.007’N, 74° 48.357’W

Map: trailmap (click to view pdf file – source: Medford Canoe Trail website)

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Tag Archives: canoeing

Penbryn WMA Paddle – Winslow, NJ

Wishbone Trail paddle – Rancocas Creek – Mt. Holly to Hainsport, NJ

Woodbury Creek Paddle – Woodbury to Thorofare, NJ

Great Egg Harbor River Paddle – Penny Pot to Lake Lenape, Mays Landing

Atsion Lake Paddle – Shamong, NJ

Willingboro Lakes Park – Willingboro, NJ

Medford Canoe Trail – Medford, NJ

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