Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ

Lake Profile:
Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ
180 Acres
Caution: Motorboats

October 11th 2009

I gotta say I think Fall is my favorite time of year. This lake might not have been this enjoyable in the summer months. For starters its heavily populated, there are houses dotted along most of the river. Each of them with motor boats and or canoes & kayaks spewed across the back of them. This must get real active in the summer months in fact so active that a paddle for an outsider like myself  might not be as enjoyable as it was on this day. Once you launch from the convenient little dock you can go left to explore the small bridge although the lake ends just after it or you can head across it towards the peninsula. If you look at the togo map you'll see it practically cut the lake in half. I paddled this day with my wife and It was very windy so without being anchored you wont stay put long. It was a cold day too we had to make sure we were layered up because this wing made it feel a lot colder than what it was. We made our way through the middle of the lake and paddled quietly as to not to disturb the neighbors as we got closer to the shoreline. Some folks were out on their poonton boat, dogs aboard and everything. One of the Labs sat up front in captain pose. 

I usually bring a rod with me to throw some soft plastics but no takers this day. I know the lake must be full of bass, probably taking shelter under all the lilly pads. 

Once you make your way pass the tip of the peninsula it looks like a different lake all together. the view of the Allamuchy mountains in the backdrop of the lake is spectacular. 

You can spend hours here just exploring every nook of this place and as beautiful as it was I don't see myself coming back here frequently. There isn't that feel of wilderness because you practically in someone's back yard so you feel like an outsider, well because you are. 

Directions:

From Route 80 West take the Waterloo Exit 25 and go North on 206 till you get to South Shore Rd and make a left.  you'll be lead to the lake but also to a couple of parking areas to your left. When you see this the lake entrance for the launch is directly to your right. There's parking at the opposite end of the launch or you can drop off your canoe and drive back down to the parking area.