When you mention New Jersey to many people the first thing that comes to mind is refineries, highways, smoke stacks, the Sopranos and “What exit?”. Little do most realize that there is a wonderful abundance of scenic and wild rivers that wind through some of the most beautiful forested areas in the Northeast. I frequent a number of these rivers, especially the Mullica, Egg Harbor, Oswego, Batsto and Wading rivers which all flow through the Pinelands, or “The Pine Barrens.”
The Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, is a heavily forested area of coastal plain stretching across southern New Jersey. The name “pine barrens” refers to the area’s sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil, to which the crops originally imported by European settlers didn’t take well. These uncommon conditions enable the Pine Barrens to support a unique and diverse spectrum of plant life, including orchids and carnivorous plants. The area is also notable for its populations of rare pygmy Pitch Pines and other plant species that depend on the frequent fires of the Pine Barrens to reproduce. The sand that composes much of the area’s soil is referred to by the locals as sugar sand.
Despite its proximity to Philadelphia and New York City, and the fact that the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway run through it, the Pine Barrens remains largely rural and undeveloped. The Pine Barrens also helps recharge the 17 trillion gallon Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer containing some of the purest water in the United States. As a result of all these factors, 1.1 million acres (4,500 km²) of the Pine Barrens were designated the Pinelands National Reserve (the nation’s first National Reserve) in 1978, and it was designated a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve in 1988.
For anyone in the region or anyone planning on visiting New Jersey, I highly recommend getting out on any number of the rivers and enjoy a truly wonderful paddling experience. Just look at some of the images and videos in my galleries to see just how beautiful New Jersey can be.
The following books are great resources on the rivers of New Jersey, highly recommended:
Books
Garden State Canoeing: A Paddler’s Guide to New Jersey
by Ed Gertler
“Ed Gertler has been down every mile of every New Jersey river, and if I did that, I would insist on sharing every bit of knowledge, tips, joy and suffering that entailed. He does. Minor errors in maps and details are not fatal. This is an unprecedented and fabulously useful guide for people who actually want to get into their kayaks and canoes and head down a river. It provides thorough information on where to start, what to expect, how long it will take, what you will see.” – Amazon link.
Paddling the Jersey Pine Barrens
by Robert Parnes
“Explore the diverse natural wonders of the Jersey Pine Barrens, the unique ecosystem covering more than a million acres in southern New Jersey. From easy afternoon paddles to extended trips deep into remote wilderness areas, Paddling the Jersey Pine Barrens takes canoeists and kayakers on a journey through the state’s most spectacular landscape. Included are waterways known for their scenery, historical importance, and wildlife. In addition to detailed river descriptions, there is extensive information about the region’s geological, social, environmental, and botanical history. Paddling the Jersey Pine Barrens is designed to help you select the best of the waterways that course through the Pinelands. Inside you’ll find: an overview of what to expect and how to prepare; detailed maps showing access points and routes; information on each waterway’s character, difficulty, and the best times to paddle; lists of local paddling organizations and information resources. ” – Amazon link.
Little Rivers of New Jersey
by James and Margaret Cawley
“Exploring the Little Rivers of New Jersey–first published in 1942–has become a classic, every canoeist’s traveling companion and a delight to countless other people who enjoy in imagination or memory the outdoor world of New Jersey. By way of the little rivers, James and Margaret Cawley introduced generations of canoeists and armchair explorers to a quiet, beautiful world of forests and fields, songbirds and wildflowers, towpaths and villages rich in history. Today, you can still explore this “other New Jersey” via the state’s little rivers and many miles of canal–through the Pine Barrens, state and county parks, farmlands, suburbs, and crowded cities.
In this fourth edition, the Little Rivers Club has brought the Cawleys’ work up to date. This group of experienced canoeists dedicated themselves to re-exploring familiar waterways and adding new ones.Faithful to the Cawley spirit, this edition includes new maps, many new photographs, a directory of canoe liveries, tips on planning a trip, a loving portrait of the Cawleys, and, best of all, twenty-four beautiful waterways to discover” – Amazon link.