Paddling at Swartswood Lake offers great fishing, great exercise, and great fun for customers of all ages! Swartswood is a large natural glacial lake set inside New Jersey's very first state park, with plenty of open water and quiet shoreline to explore. Take it nice and slow, fish for bass, pickerel, and perch, or race your friends across the lake!
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! Thanks for a brief, but fun 2026 and we look forward to seeing everyone again in early May 2027!
Paddle Lake Swartswood offers kayak rentals for our guests to explore beautiful Swartswood Lake in Swartswood State Park, NJ. We have a fleet of adult single and tandem kayaks available for 60-minute rentals. The rentals are only available on weekends and holidays, though, so book now before we fill up!
Rentals at Swartswood Lake are a concession that is administered by the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, State Park Service.
Guests will be able to rent kayaks in 60-minute intervals and we ask that you return to shore before 55 minutes, so we can prepare for our next rental session.
All boats are on location at Swartswood State Park. If you put "1091 E Shore Dr, Swartswood, NJ 07877, United States" in Google Maps it will bring you directly to our parking lot. Then you'll see signs directing you to our lakeside operation.
Bring sunscreen, hats, water, snacks, fishing poles (and licenses). We have paddles and life jackets, so don't worry about those, unless you have a preference for one you own.
No swimming from the boats. Customers must remain seated in their kayak for the full rental period. Swimming is permitted only at the park's designated guarded beach area during posted hours.
Please plan to check-in at least 10 minutes before your scheduled reservation time with our receptionist, who will be located on premises by the lake. This gives us time to validate your reservation, prepare your kayak, give the safety and rules speech, and fit your life jacket.
The owners of this concession also operate Paddle Lake Ashroe, about 15 minutes away in Stokes State Forest, and Dingmans Campground, about 30 minutes away in Pennsylvania! If you are interested in camping check out our website: www.dingmanscampground.com, or give us a call at 570-828-1551 to find out more information.
Cancellations made more than 7 days from the reservation will be refunded minus a $10 cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled within 7 days of the reservation will not receive a refund. If we close for weather, we will reach out and reschedule your rental, or provide a full refund.