There are great views along this route: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan skyline, and up-close paddling by the the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (keep clear of the restricted areas which are usually marked by buoys). The Upper Bay is busy with large vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, and cargo ships, so be very cautious while traveling across open water. Also, use good judgement deciding when to paddle because weather and other conditions can make the water's surface too treacherous for paddlers, Parking at the put-in site is usually available along nearby roads, but be attentive to restricted parking areas.

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

The Hudson River can suffer from tidal effects of the Atlantic Ocean and determine which direction to paddle. For this route, it's best to paddle during an outgoing tide. It can also be an out and back journey if one plans around the tides. The river is very wide and straight (compared to river standards), and this section is busy with large vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, and cargo ships - so be cautious. There are great views along the way: The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline. A permit is required to launch from the W. 79th St. Boat Basin (contact New York Parks Dept for details). Parking at the take-out site is usually available along nearby roads, but be attentive to restricted parking areas.

The first part of this run is a relaxing paddle on slow-moving water with only some small riffles to navigate, but the second half is where the excitement starts as the river travels down a steep gorge. After about 5.5 miles have passed, portaging on the right around multiple falls will be required. Additional falls, drops, and dams continue downstream, some of which may or may not be runnable depending on water levels so scouting beforehand is crucial. There are also strainers in the last mile to watch out for. The entire 11-mile run should only be attempted by expert paddlers but beginner paddlers can take out at Rte. 519 to avoid the challenging part of the river.

Surrounded by Delaware State Forest, Pecks Pond offers many canoeing possibilities and wildlife encounters. Numerous amounts of beds of water lilies are along the shorelines. The northern end of the lake is filled with vegetation in the summer, but there is still usually a channel to canoe through. There are multiple large and small islands that dot the lake and are very interesting to watch the wildlife that live on them.

Kayaking a short trip around the south end of Union Lake

Situated just south of the busy suburban area of Tom's River, this small creek provides paddlers an opportunity to get away and enjoy nature. Cedar Creek is slow, winding river that travels through mostly undeveloped, wilderness terrain of the Pines Barrens. The creek presents view hazards or obstacles with the exception of one portage around the dam at Double Trouble. There are also multiple access sites that provide the option of a shorter trip down the river if desired.

Raymondskill Creek is for expert paddlers only. It's a challenging course that offers waterfalls, slides, and heavy whitewater. One noteworthy section is called, "Flirting With Disaster" which is marked as a portage on this route due to its large falls and low water level at the bottom. Be sure to study this entire course in more detail and scope out each questionable section before attempting. Check water levels before traveling to the creek as it can vary depending on season. Be attentive to restricted parking areas at both take-out and put-in locations. Both locations also require a short carry (one quarter mile and another half mile) along poorly defined routes and may require some self-navigation or maneuvering to find a put-in and take-out spot that suits. This water route ends just before Raymondskill Falls.

Sandy Hook is a peninsula of land that juts out from New Jersey into the Atlantic Ocean and provides an interesting paddling destination. The trip starts from the southwest side of the peninsula and follows the shoreline in Sandy Hook Bay north around the tip and back along the eastern shoreline. The first part of the trip on the west side is mostly protected but the waters become much more exposed as you travel north around the tip. The eastern side is completely exposed and can become challenging depending on the tides and the wind. The scenery along the route is impressive with views of New York skyline in the distance, miles of scenic beaches, and lots of blue open water. If paddling all the way around the hook seems too daunting, launching and paddling shorter out-and-back distances is also a good option.

Carnegie Lake is privately-owned lake that was created for the Princeton University rowing team by damming the Millstone River. While the long and narrow lake is used for the college rowing team, it is also open to the public for boating and fishing. The lake is located in a suburban area but still has tree-lined shores and peaceful waters for birdwatching and enjoying nature. If paddling the water when the rowing teams are practicing, be sure to pay close attention as they move at fast speeds and are harder to maneuver than smaller boats, giving them the right of way.