Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Trail in Manasquan Reservoir County Park, NJ

Hike Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Trail Manasquan Reservoir County Park, NJ

Class 1 5.1 miles Minimal gain 2-4 hrs Loop May 16, 2009
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Trail GPX Track

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Manasquan Reservoir County Park is a popular park for kayaking, biking, etc. The Monmouth County Park System does an excellent job maintaining these parks and trail systems. The primary trail for the park is the Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Trail, which wraps around the entirety of the reservoir. It's a mostly flat, multi-use, and super well-beaten trail that passes a variety of New Jersey ecosystems: swamps, forests… suburbs. I started from the main parking lot on the south side of the reservoir near the visitor center.

A sign points to the start of the trail, and I decided to do the loop heading clockwise. The trail mileage markers go in this direction, so I assume it's the way the park system intended the trail to be hiked. After an initial straight section, the trail passes over a narrow land bridge separated by a bog on the left and the reservoir o the right. It continues through the forest and then passes by the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center. The hike then parallels Georgia Tavern Road as it heads north, nice views of the reservoir from here.

After leaving the noisy road again, the Perimeter Trail continues east through the woods, another long section of forested hiking. The remainder of the hike continues on a wide trail, weaving around the east side of the reservior, before leading back to the visitor center. Toward the end there is a split in the trail, where I recommend keeping to the right. This direction leads close to the reserovoir one more time, while the other option does not.

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Starting along the Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Loop Trail.
Starting along the Manasquan Reservoir Perimeter Loop Trail.
The start of the trail is flat and straight.
The start of the trail is flat and straight.
Some constructed bridges.
Some constructed bridges.
And some nice viewpoints just off the trail of the Manasquan Reservoir.
And some nice viewpoints just off the trail of the Manasquan Reservoir.
Another bridge along the trail.
Another bridge along the trail.
Image 5 from gallery
A view of the swampy south side of the reservoir.
A view of the swampy south side of the reservoir.
Passing over a land bridge next to the reservoir. The trail leads all the way around.
Passing over a land bridge next to the reservoir. The trail leads all the way around.
View back.
View back.
Image 9 from gallery
Approaching the Environmental Center.
Approaching the Environmental Center.
Passing the Environmental Center, now paralleling the road.
Passing the Environmental Center, now paralleling the road.
Nice views, despite the noisy road.
Nice views, despite the noisy road.
Leftover trees still standing from when the reservoir was created.
Leftover trees still standing from when the reservoir was created.
Now heading east, a long, flat section of trail again.
Now heading east, a long, flat section of trail again.
View back, cute little swamp visible.
View back, cute little swamp visible.
The trail is wide, but weaves around  a bit and isn't straight the whole time.
The trail is wide, but weaves around a bit and isn't straight the whole time.
Another nice view of the reservoir.
Another nice view of the reservoir.
Image 18 from gallery
Passing a road leading to the dam, inaccessible to the public.
Passing a road leading to the dam, inaccessible to the public.
A view toward the dam through a fence.
A view toward the dam through a fence.
Continuing through the forest.
Continuing through the forest.
Image 22 from gallery
A view toward a constructed portion of the dam.
A view toward a constructed portion of the dam.
A nice viewpoint before reaching the trailhead.
A nice viewpoint before reaching the trailhead.
Cute little lily pads.
Cute little lily pads.
View back at a final view of the reservoir just before reaching the trailhead again.
View back at a final view of the reservoir just before reaching the trailhead again.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!