New Jersey has approximately 240 rivers, streams, and creeks. Each is special in its own way, but some are more spectacular than others. The following 12 New Jersey rivers truly stand out, whether for their size, popularity, location, or other special features. Read on to learn more about these outstanding Garden State waterways and enjoy the incredible photographs!

1. Hudson River
Gigi_NYC
Flickr/Daniel Piraino
The Hudson River lies on the eastern border of our state, between New York and New Jersey. The 315-mile river starts in the Adirondack Mountains and empties out into the Atlantic Ocean. The southernmost portion of the river is a tidal estuary, where salt and fresh water meet.
2. Delaware River
Wikipedia/Wolle8Ball
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
The Delaware River, another one of the best rivers in New Jersey, runs along the state's western border through NY, NJ, PA, and DE. Beginning in the Catskills, the Delaware River runs over 300 miles to the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Passaic River
Wikipedia/Lithium6Ion
Wikipedia/Dan Spiess
The 80-mile Passaic River in Northern New Jersey, unfortunately has been known to flood. It runs through some of the most industrial areas in the state and nevertheless offers the spectacular Great Falls.
4. Navesink River
Flickr/cogito ergo imago
The 8-mile-long Navesink River is actually an estuary, and a popular spot for boating, swimming, fishing, and crabbing. Additionally, the neighborhoods along the Navesink are some of the wealthiest in New Jersey.

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5. Ramapo River
Flickr/Stanley Zimny
This name may sound familiar to you, as there is the Ramapo Mountain State Forest.. The 30-mile Ramapo river runs from Orange County, New York, to Bergen County, New Jersey. The river is a popular destination for fly fishing for trout.
6. Raritan River
Wikipedia/John Bohnel
Beginning near Bridgewater, this 30-mile river ends in South Amboy. The lovely town of Clinton lies along its banks and it is a major source of drinking water for Central New Jersey.
7. Tuckahoe River
Wikipedia/Tim Kiser
One of the few blackwater rivers in the northeastern United States, the Tuckahoe River drains an area of the southern Pinelands and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It runs approximately 26 miles through Belleplain State Forest and the surrounding towns.
8. Hackensack River
Wikipedia/Jim Henderson
The approximately 45-mile Hackensack River runs from New York through the New Jersey Meadowlands. In this shot, you can see American Dream in the background - a massive retail and entertainment complex located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in the town of East Rutherford. The name of the river comes from the Lenape word Achinigeu-hach, or Ackingsah-sack, meaning flat confluence of streams or stony ground.
9. Manasquan River
Wikipedia/Nightscream
According to some, the 26-mile Manasquan River marks the boundary between North and South Jersey. Additionally, Nienstedt Island, the inspiration for the novel Treasure Island, is located on this river.
10. Rancocas Creek
Wikipedia/Lithium6Ion
Moving right along with New Jersey’s famous waterways is Rancocas Creek. Extending over 50 miles long, this creek is navigable for about 10 miles upstream from its mouth before the CR 635 bridge places a barrier to boat traffic. The drawbridge can be opened in an emergency, but it requires manual labor.
11. Mullica River
Wikipedia/MWanner
Once known as Little Egg Harbor River, the 50.6-mile-long Mullica River is noted as a spawning ground for striped bass. Its estuary on Great Bay is considered one of the least-disturbed marine wetland habitats in the northeastern United States.
12. Great Egg Harbor River
Wikipedia/Admiral capn
The 55-mile Great Egg Harbor River is one of the major rivers in the Pinelands, and a popular canoeing destination. The river is noted for its tea-colored "cedar water", the product of the iron and tannin content of the fallen cedar leaves along much of its length. The National Park Service considers it one of the top 10 places in North America for birding.

Whether you’re into swimming, boating, fishing, or sightseeing, you can probably enjoy your hobby at one of these 12 amazing rivers in New Jersey! If you have another favorite New Jersey river, please share it with us in the comments section below.

If you’re looking for other outdoor activities in The Garden State, check out these 18 epic outdoorsy things to enjoy!

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Lysa Allman-Baldwin | December 23, 2022

Where else can we go to enjoy rivers in New Jersey?

If you’re looking for more rivers in New Jersey to enjoy, you might consider upping your game a bit and checking out some of the state’s charming river towns. Each one is delightful and provides yet another distinctive look at New Jersey’s famous waterways. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Hoboken – Located about 25 minutes east of Newark
  • Lambertville – Located about 30 minutes north of the capital, Trenton
  • Haddonfield – Located about 45 minutes southwest of Trenton

 

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There are lots of great places to go hiking in New Jersey. Lace up your boots for some of these exciting spots:

 

What are some cool places to visit in New Jersey during the winter months?

If you don’t mind braving the cold weather, you’ll find numerous awesome places to visit in New Jersey during the winter months. Check out some of these must-visit spots:

 

 

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