A water trail is a designated route along a lake, river, canal or bay specifically designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, single sailboats or rowboats.  Water trails are also found in tidal waters.   The trails, sometimes called “blueways,” are the aquatic equivalent of a hiking trail (or “greenway”). Water trails feature well-developed access and launch points; are near significant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest; and often include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels and campgrounds.

To be included on the Rancocas Creek Water Trail public access must be:

• Be open to multi-use and watercraft (tidal and non-tidal sections of the Rancocas Creek);
• Include numerous access sites that are open to the public;
• Have developed information and trail data that is publicly available and up to date (e.g., maps, guides, signage, and/or a website); and
• Be actively supported, managed and/or maintained by at least one organization or community that can serve as the source of the water trail information.

If you have water trail information that you’d like to see on this site, we’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to the Rancocas Creek Water Trail

The Rancocas Creek Water Trail is a 80 mile (128 km) long tidal and non-tidal multi-use water trail connecting people to the Rancocas Creek’s natural environment, , its 400 years of maritime heritage and to the communities and creek towns it touches in the Mid-Atlantic’s Southern New Jersey. From the Pine Barrens National Reserve headwaters to paddling on bucolic, placid non-tidal flat-water to paddling on open tidal waters, a variety of paddling experiences awaits you.  From kayaking, bird-watching, canoeing, fishing, relaxing, camping, hunting and just  floating down creek  to motorized vessels and jet skis on the Rancocas tidal reaches follow the Rancocas Creek Water Trail to learn what others already know: The Rancocas Creek is a gem, Hidden from Plain Sight.

Click here for maps of the water trail, creek front communities and other areas to explore and discover.

National Park Service National Water Trail Program