Easy ride going with the tide, keep an eye out for boats

Kayaking a short trip around the south end of Union Lake

Dense groves of Atlantic white cedars line the bank of of this river and can give the surreal feeling that you are at a different world. You will find some shady places to stop for lunch at the end of Martha Pond. From here the river narrows and accelerates slightly and a few blow downs require careful maneuvering.

Flowing through mainly pastoral country with fields and wooded hills, this section of the Delaware River runs from Riegelsville south to Yardley. There are historical features along the way, including George Washington's historic crossing of the Delaware and the canal. Near the beginning are the gorgeous Nockamixon Cliffs ridding 300 fee from the river. There are Class I and II rapids and also three wing dams along the route. Just past New Hope, Pennsylvania are the Class II Wells Falls, formed partially by a wing dam, with the clearest line down being on the left side of the chute.

The river is part of Wharton State Forest, in the NJ Pine Barrens. When the water is low you may have to maneuver over some hidden sand bars but overall it has a slow current without too many turns. You will glide past huge pines, cedars, and oaks while you experience birds singing all around you.

This paddle is made on a wide, continually meandering river graced by high banks where towering trees grow. Its trees and bushes are typical of northern New Jersey woods, and its banks are usually firm not sandy. It is an easy, pretty stream for beginners.

The unique charm of the Mullica River comes from it extensive savanna marshes and numerous high, sandy banks that offer ideal places to stop for a break. With its consistent beauty, ease of paddling, and isolation from development it is an enjoyable ride. The river is fairly narrow with twists and turns.

This is one of the lesser traveled stretches on the upper Batsto River. The trip takes you through a variety of habitats in the Pine Barrens. Sharp turns and combined with the current can make this run challenging and fun. This can be a challenging paddle when the river is low.

At the beginning of this run the river has a swampy nature and seems to attract a variety of water lovers including tubers. As you get closer to Lake Lenape the river widens and has a lot less traffic. The path on the river is kept clear for water activities, but there are a lot of stumps that you need to watch out for. There are numerous spots to stop and have lunch along the way or wait until you arrive at the lake.

Most of the land surrounding this stretch of the Delaware River from Portland to Riegelsville is privately owned. There are several islands along the route with Class I riffles. There is only one section of Class II rapids just below Belvidere, located on the New Jersery side of the river, named Foul Rift. This is a long ledge rapid and if necessary, portage is possible on the left. Most of the scenery is wooded hills and fields along this section.