Sunday, May 26, 2019

Kayaking from Quaker Bridge to Batsto Lake

Kayaking with Pinelands Adventure: Quaker Bridge to Batsto Lake

I love kayaking and try to do it as often as I can. Pinelands Adventure is an outfitter in the Pine Barrens that rents canoes and kayaks. They offer a bunch of guided kayaking trips, hikes, and bus tours as well.


I love kayaking and try to do it as often as I can. Pinelands Adventures is an outfitter in the Pine Barrens that rents canoes and kayaks. They offer a bunch of guided kayaking trips, hikes, and bus tours as well. Some ones that look interesting are their cranberry farm tours and the Pine Barrens Ghost Town tours.

I did one of their self-guided kayaking trips, the Quaker Bridge to Batsto Lake trip. Self-guided just means that you're renting the kayak through them. This trip is recommended for those who have been kayaking before.

Beginning at the historic site of Quaker Bridge, this path leads you through a dense forest of Pitch Pine, Red Maple, and Atlantic White Cedar to the colonial village of Batsto down the Batsto River.  The river is fairly narrow and there will be stretches where to navigate you have to make quick or sharp turns.  There's two "beaches" on the route that many people choose to stop at to eat or take a break.

Depending on the season, you can see some wildlife like turtles, beaver, otters, foxes, and deer. I really didn't see any so take your time and be quiet if you want to see anything.

The recommended time for doing this trip is about 4 hours which obviously varies based on the current, water level, how many breaks you take, etc. It took me a little over 3 hours to complete.

Cost if going through Pinelands Adventures
$75 Canoe (one or two people)

$50 Kayak (single only)

$85 Tandem Kayak

$37.50 BYO Canoe or Tandem Kayak

$25.00 BYO Single Kayak

What does Pinelands Adventures provide?
-Kayak
-Life Vest
-Drop-off at Quaker Bridge
-Pick-up from Batsto Lake

You supply your own food, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Do not forget the sunscreen and bug spray-while a large part of this kayaking trip is shady, several parts are without covering and you're likely to get burned. Since this is the Pine Barrens, parts will be very buggy.