AMC Recommended Trips – Swartswood & Paulins Kill Lakes (Easy paddling in NJ)
Source: Quiet Water New Jersey: Canoe & Kayak Guide
What you’ll see: Coves & peninsulas for exploring abound on Swartswood Lake. Fishing and birding opportunities are numerous on both lakes and Paulins Kill Lake offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hemlock and hardwood forests on the east hillsides.
What you’ll experience:
- Area: Swartswood, 494 acres; Paulins Kill, ~250 acres.
- Maps: New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer, Map 23
- USGS Quadrangle: Newton West
- Both lakes can be accessed through Swartswood State Park, which offers camping, picnicking, playgrounds, and swimming.
- Nearby hiking and nature trails lead through upland forests and bogs.
What’s in the area:
- Fishing is good in both lakes, offering walleye and brown trout as the best catches.
- Mountain laurel and mulberry bushes grow in the shade of pine, oak, ash, birch, and hickory trees.
- Waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, water plants.
Getting There
- Access to Swartswood State Park is conveniently located near the junction of Routes 622 and 619 about 2.0 miles west of Route 94. From Route 619, drive west for 0.5 mile on Route 622 to the entrance for Little Swartswood Lake boat launch.
- Access to nearby Paulins Kill Lake is only a ten-minute drive from the junction of Routes 622 and 619. From Route 619, drive east for 1.9 miles on Route 622, turn left onto Junction Road and continue for 1.0 mile, then turn left onto Parsons Road. Caution: Immediately after turning onto Parsons Road, you will go under a very narrow railroad trestle that is little more than one car wide. Continue on Parsons Road for 0.4 mile to the roadside parking area and boat launch on the left. The small dirt clearing with a few shrubs and saplings is easily overlooked.
