Manasquan Reservoir County Park
Directions
To reach the reservoir, take the Garden State Parkway Exit 98 to I-195 west. Proceed on I-195 west to Exit 28B, Rt. 9 North-Freehold. Stay in right lane when entering Rt. 9 north. At first traffic light, turn right onto Georgia Tavern Road. Follow Georgia Tavern Road for 0.3 mile. Continue straight for Environmental Center on right or turn right onto Windeler Rd. and continue 1.5 miles to the Visitor Center Reservoir Area on left.
GPS Coordinates:
- Visitor Center: 40.171747, -74.203407
- Environmental Center: 40.177964, -74.218478
Park Overview
The park offers a five-mile circular trail around a reservoir offering plenty of opportunities to observe plants and wildlife. The most popular park in this area.
Trail Overview
A 5.1-mile Perimeter Trail provides hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians with a scenic route around the reservoir. The wide trail with an even surface proceeds through young woods, wetlands, and grassy fields that border the reservoir, and it crosses dikes over several arms of the reservoir. The trail offers many opportunities to view waterfowl, including several endangered species
The 1.1-mile Cove Trail, a scenic nature trail open to pedestrians only, loops around the southwestern corner of the park. It offers walkers the opportunity to follow a narrow footpath rather than a wide, multi-use path.
Click for a detailed hike description in this park.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a brochure with trail map.
Park Description
This park - which encompasses 1,204 acres of land and water - surrounds the four-billion-gallon Manasquan Reservoir, completed in 1990. The reservoir is open for fishing year-round [state-issued license required], and boating is permitted from March to November [subject to a daily or seasonal launch fee]. These activities are from the Joseph C. Irwin Recreation Area Visitor Center on Windeler Road.
The Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, on Georgia Tavern Road, offers exhibits and programs related to wetlands ecology and wildlife and habitat protection, with emphasis on the importance of water resources. The center is open daily, except holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.