I was impressed by this reservoir facility. It's really large with a ton of parking and dock space for fishing. There is a beautiful main house with clean bathrooms and lots of table space. Loved the big open windows that face out to overlook the water and the big indoor fireplace. They have a large selection of kayaks that you can rent and there are also various boats available to rent. We brought our own fishing rods, so I'm not sure if you can also rent them here. Definitely a cute spot to check out, and hopefully next time we have better weather and fishing conditions. read more

See all

Beautiful reservoir. Perfect for walking, running or biking. Family and pet friendly. Such a clean area as well! read more

Manasquan Reservoir - Reservoir - Bike Rentals Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

I absolutely love this reservoir! I've gone for walks here in the summer, winter, spring and fall. It's great any season. I've also kayaked here. You do need a life jacket, they won't let you go otherwise. There is a cool little visitor center too with wildlife that you can look at. The path looped around the entire reservoir. The road is flat and easy to walk on. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk the whole reservoir. read more

See all

BEAUTIFUL place to come to be one with nature!!! So I found this place on AllTrails as it was due to be a beautiful day and I wanted be out in nature so I decided to come here. 5 STARS all across the board!! This is a beautiful trail 5+mile walk around a beautiful lake. There are plenty of shaded spots to sit down and take in the scenery (or to give your pup a break from walking lol). There are benches throughout the park and plenty of parking. This is a flat, pretty much paved path (with the exception of small rocks in certain places). The path itself is very clean and the people on the trail were very friendly and spoke in passing. Overall- 5 outta 5 stars, I would definitely recommend coming here whether it's for a family stroll, walk/jog/biking or just wanting to be surrounded in nature. It's a beautiful place to be!! FYI- the path runs in a circle so you can walk straight through and not have to worry about back tracking to get back to your car. read more

See all

I've only been here one time, but I absolutely loved escaping my everyday life by being here for a few hours. Just being one with nature. There's a large 5 mile loop that takes you through forests and around the reservoir. Plenty of people biking, walking, and people can even go horseback riding through here. I came back in June 2020 soon after NJ state parks could reopen because of the pandemic and it was very crowded and difficult to find parking, but I was able to snag something. Since I parked on a separate side away from the main entrance, I didn't see what the other side of the park has to offer. Tip for after your visit: visit Ice Cream on 9 in Howell for a cold treat after you spend the day at the reservoir! It's less than 10 minutes away. You will thank me! read more

See all

Great park that I need to spend more time exploring. Boaters, bikers, hikers, naturalists and horseback riders are among the folks who would enjoy this resource. Boat launches and boat rentals are available, bike rentals as well. There are multiple parking lots, a nice visitor center with vending, restroom etc. I didn't make it to the nature center that has shorter hours. As other reviewers noted, the loop is just over 5 miles. My next trip back will hopefully be with my kayak and a good pair of shoes to do that trail. read more

Manasquan Reservoir - Come here for sunsets - Bike Rentals Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

See all

I was impressed from the beginning. We parked in the parking lot of the visitor center and walked down the reservoir which was serene and peaceful. It didn't hurt that we went on an almost perfect July day with little to no humidity and plenty of sunshine. There seemed to be plenty of space between us and the other visitors, so I didn't feel unsafe or at risk during the almost 5 mile walk that we took. Nice, even walk around the beautiful body of water. An added bonus is that most of the trail is covered by very welcomed shade from the abundance of trees along the way. We saw a few deer along the path which is always cool to see when they're in their natural habitat. I am very much looking forward to going back!! read more

Beautiful trail with nice views! I did the "medium" trail and it was 5 miles. It's mostly just a flat path with no elevation, good for beginners. It's shaded with a lot of trees. read more

See all

HOWELL: A really popular park, the Manasquan Reservoir is a great place to take your dog for a walk on the over 5 miles of trails that loop the water (dogs are not allowed in the water). The trail is shared with other pedestrians, cyclists, and even equestrians, so keep an eye on your surroundings for the safety of you and your pet. The trails are mostly flat with some small inclines and is wooded and vary between dirt and rock paths with various openings with views of the reservoir. There are even very small "beach front" areas to hang out! Waste bags are available at the start of the trail across from the parking lot. read more

Manasquan Reservoir - Bike Rentals Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

Great trails. Good for dogs and humans. Shaded paths. Exposure to the beautiful reservoir. Peaceful.

Having lived across the street from the reservoir for 25 years and hundreds of visits, I feel I'm pretty well qualified to rate it. I've used it so much and taken it for granted and just now it occurred to me to rate it. M.R. is a man-made body of water maybe 30 years old. There are trails surrounding the reservoir (5.2 miles) and some that branch out. There's picnic benches and garbage and recycle buckets placed strategically. Water activities are available between March and December and they include fishing, boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking. Swimming is verboten so don't even try. Don't try to wade either; regardless if fishing or walking. There are two buildings visitors can check out; the visitor center on Windeler Road and the Environmental Center on Georgia Tavern Road. No admissions are charged. There's a fairly large boat ramp on Windeler Road that you can launch your NON-gasoline powered boat from once you've paid the fee; electric motor, sail, and rowing only. Fishing is very good if you know how to fish this place. I never really got the hang of it but I've pulled out a few very large bass. You have to wear life jackets and when the rangers patrol (with their outboard boats) they will remind you to put them on, 93° not withstanding. I prefer fishing at dawn and dusk and you simply cannot do that here. You can launch at 6:30 but they will ask you to leave well before dusk. My favorite trail here is Cove Trail. It is off the beaten path and leads through a diversity of terrain. The Perimeter Trail is the one that primarily follows the contours of the reservoir and I would rate that as easy. There's only a few hills that you may huff and puff over but it's smooth and an easy walk. Cove Trail is less traveled and is therefore not as well maintained. Fallen timber across the trail will be removed eventually but the main trails obviously have priority. Cove offers three wooden bridges, a duck blind, nice scenery and water views, without the crowds. I'd rate this trail as easy to medium. I mentioned that Cove was not as well maintained. Unfortunately some idiot dumped a baby pool on this trail. The sun over the last couple of years has dried it out and now it's all broken up in pieces. Nobody from the park service has attempted to clean it up for the last couple of years despite being the eyesore you can imagine it is . I've included a picture of it. I've taken things in my own hands and so every time I pass it, I fill up a garbage bag. I'll do this until it's gone. I'm sure the park service will site budget cuts, manpower shortages, etc. Probably all true but the pool is still there. Other than that small item I just mentioned, the park is well worth going to. I've seen snakes, rabbits, foxes, skunk, possums, hawks, frogs, turtles, kingfishers, myriad of ducks and geese, and more. I usually see a deer every time I go. As of this writing, there are two eaglets being raised in their nest, visible from Georgia Tavern Road. read more

See all

How have I not visited this Monmouth county gem sooner? Great 5.1 mile perimeter trail to walk, run, or bike. The trail is well marked. Great views of the reservoir throughout. Good amount of parking, and you can rent bikes, kayaks, boats, or even go on a boat tour. read more

See all

I visited the Manasquan Reservoir this weekend for their annual Fishing Derby. The event was sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. The event itself ran from 2-5 PM, but you could go earlier to get a good spot on the dock and there are also a few staff members to show you how to fish. I hadn't fished in 10+ years and it was the first time for my 8 year-old so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity, at only $8 per person which includes a cups of worms and no fishing license required when you sign up for the event. The visitor's center is nice and well kept. All staff there were very nice. There were a few staff members there all of which were very patient and nice. What I loved was how accommodating they were of children. The bait shop had all the basics you need for fishing including knowledgeable staff members. There is a main dock there where you can fish as well as a smaller dock a little further that you need to take a trial/path to get there. There were a total of about 40 people there and I witnessed about 10 fish or so being pulled up during the 2.5 hours we were there. We didn't catch any but may have had better luck on a less crowded dock. Also you can rent boats to go out on the reservoir which is great. We did not venture much further than the dock and visitor's center but plan to on our next visit. Overall it was a great trip and I reached my goal, I got my little guy interested in fishing. I plan to go back on a later date, better equipped. There were a few vending machines near the visitor's center, though I am not sure if there is any other food available there. My suggestion would be to visit one of the many Walmarts nearby and stock up on the essentials before visiting the reservoir. Again, kudos to the staff there. They treated everyone, especially the children top notch. read more

See all

First time here. It was a nice five mile ride on the bike. Overall definitely a repeat.

Unfortunately we only had only one or 2 hours to spend here, but just from that short span, I have to say that I wildly recommend this beautiful reservoir. Amazingly, this huge reservoir was man-made, but the scenery created is very calm and natural. We did not take any trails or kayaking/canoeing in the water, but these water sports are available. We came on a shadeless, sunny yet pleasant Memorial day, and there was some crowd, but far from maddening. The boat rides are offered every hour, and we went to the 2pm one. The relaxing and informative $6 pp tour was completed in 45 minutes or so, and our knowledgable captain and cheerful tour guide showed us ospreys, eagles, herons, and anything in between! Some areas are part of the environmental center/water works so it's concrete and steel, but in most cases you feel like you are floating through a half-submerged forest. I for one always kind of wondered what it was like passing through this kind of breathtaking landscape. The boat has no roof, so bring sunscreens, hats, and water as needed.... I would bring a high zoom lens if you have one with your camera, as the boat respectfully cannot get too close to the shore or wherever the birds are nesting among the trees. Also, you can purchase the tickets ahead of time and come back at the scheduled tour start. Of course, don't expect a roller-coaster excitement, and what you see along the way depends on the weather, water, and wings of the day, but this to me is a very satisfying, relaxing and informative experience across a beautiful NJ nature waterscape. read more

See all

This park is part of the Monmouth County Park System & is a beautiful man made reservoir with an approximately 5 mile hiking trail around it & several shorter trails along the way. It is part of the Manasquan Watershed. First stop is the Visitor's Center on Windler Rd. In the visitor's center is a gorgeous fire pit that is lit in the winter. The view is fantastic any time of year. If you like to fish, this is the place! The reservoir is stocked & ready for your boat (electric motors only), kayak, or just your fishing pole. I highly recommend a visit to the Nature Center on Georgia Tavern Rd where there are several displays of the residents of the park, the ecosystem, & how it all works together. As with most of the parks in the MCPS, there are frequent fun & informative classes & events scheduled. Take a hike, listen & look around the lush woodlands. The park is home to many deer, fox, beautiful songbirds, various ducks, frogs, turtles & even resident bald eagles. Bicycles are permitted on most of the paths as well as dogs & horses. There are benches located along the main trail & a couple of duck blinds to see nature close up. Overall this is a very nice park & the rangers do try to keep it clean. There are garbage cans placed throughout the park (if only everyone would use them). Also, there are bathrooms at the visitor's center as well as the nature center & outhouses located along the trail in the less populated areas. This is definitely worth the trip on a nice day, or even in the snow. It is beautiful any time of year. read more

Manasquan Reservoir - Mountain laurel in bloom - Bike Rentals Near Me - Howell, New Jersey

Beautiful day for a visit. Earth Day celebrations everywhere today. Park isn't actually that crowded. Great spot if you want to get a 5 miler under your belt!! read more

The Manasquan Reservoir is absolutely gorgeous. You can rent boats (canoes and kayaks), visit the Environmental center and learn about the local wetland plant and wildlife, and my favorite of all: walk, bike, or horseback ride the 5 mile trail around the lake. Yes, horses are allowed! Dogs too, of course, but must be leashed. The trail is mostly shaded, consists of hills and just flat land, and takes you through deep forests, wetlands, and a beachy type area. Bring your camera because the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! The trail is well marked (miles) and maps are provided to show you "where you are" at each moment, and there are 3 parking lots (that I know of). Parking has never been an issue for me and I've gone on Sundays, which is probably the busiest day at the reservoir. It's also open year round, rain or shine, so if you are a hard core runner or biker, enjoy!!! I must say that if you haven't been to the gym in a while or are a bit out of shape, the trail is tiresome. I went with my mom yesterday and she is quite sore. My mom is 60 and works a job where she sits 8 hours a day. She had no problem ON THE TRAIL, she just has some mild muscle soreness today. So if you have kids or are recovering from an injury, just keep in mind that the trail is quite a work out. As i mentioned above, it goes in a circle, so there is no cut through. You have to do the 5 miles or you have to turn around. I'm 30 and I have lyme disease and I had no problems doing the trail. If you don't like the gym or want to get outdoors for a change, this is the place! If you walk or jog the trail every other day you are sure to lose weight!!! haha! Trash cans are provided and so are poopy bags if you bring your dog. I take my 2 year old Great Dane there often and we have had zero issues with other dogs or their owners. Bikers are also very curious, but just be on the look out, because some of them come down hills FAST! There are bathrooms at the visitor's center, and a few "jonny on the spots" as you walk the trail, so you are well covered if you have to pee! If you don't like "roughing it", make sure you go before you hit the trail. ;) I've been going to this place since I was in high school and it's just a lovely. Make some memories and come to the reservoir. I'll post pictures next time I go.... forgot my phone last time around! :) read more

See all

This is a place where you can buy bait and tackle & go fishing, you can also dock a small boat onto their water.there is also a great reservoir trail I believe it's 4 miles long. It's a great way to connect with nature.There is a children's playground,and I see people with bikes there also. On the one side there's a little nature center not by the main entrance that you can see local nature,and they do arts and crafts with kids on weekends. Also there's a place to see videos on a big screen.Fun, free place to take a little kids on weekends. read more

The best ever. My favorite place in NJ. So well maintained and a shockingly gorgeous view. Poop bags and disposal for the pets. Kayak and boat rentals and a pontoon boat tour. There is even a summer camp for the kids! I just wish they would post a MUST keep your dog on a leash AND no smoking because most people need a little reminder about basic rules. I've run by way too many cigar and cigarette smokers and seen one too many close calls with dog fights. read more

The Manasquan reservoir is a classic favorite especially for Howell NJ natives. I have so many memories from my childhood fishing and bike riding the reservoir. Now in my adult years I walk the trail to get my exercise in and enjoy the scenery and all the animals. One of the great things is its never over crowded and people are so respectful and move aside if you're passing. Love the reservoir! read more

Beautiful nature spot. Features an amazing playground for little kids. The view is, needless to say, gorgeous, and features several nice spots to eat and enjoy the view. Boat tours are fun, as well as kayaking on your own. Definitely recommend for a sunny day out! read more

Oh my Lanta! What a gorgeous central jersey gem! I go to the reservoir to have some "me" time. There is a 5 mile trail great for bikes or those good ole legs to run or walk, even with a furry friend! Lots to do and see!! They offer kayaks/row boats in the summer time to rent. There is a play ground and are many picnic tables, grass areas, sand areas to lunch on. They also have an exhibit full of water creatures, reptiles and plantlife. If you have a camera, bring it. It such a beautiful place for a photo shoot of any kind. The reservoir is perfect year round, just dress appropriately and you'll have such a wonderful day by yourself or with family! read more

We love the reservoir. The activities available are boating, fishing, kids playground, trails, wildlife and biking. You can rent a row boat, kayaks, and bikes. Free parking. Nice trails with nice views. read more

See all

It is a shame because the park itself is great but there are far too many cars getting broken into. If you go please make sure you do not leave any valuables in your car. read more

plenty of parking here, I love going on the bike trails. great views all around, it's a lot of fun here

My friend and I came here today to spend our Sunday afternoon kayaking. It was my first time and we chose the reservoir. It is a lot bigger than I thought! It is so peaceful here and we both enjoyed the experience. The water wasn't too hot or too cold, it felt very nice to dip our hands in on this scorching day! The customer service experience was okay, I felt that the staff could have been a little bit more helpful explaining some questions we had instead of appearing stand-offish. All in all, the scenery was fantastic and I will definitely add this to my list of activities to do again in the future. read more

Wonderful 5+ mile running trail around reservoir. There's a nesting pair of eagles to see if you know where to look.

Gorgeous views! Also a nice safe place to take the kids to play and for a short hike. It gets a little crowded on summer weekends but during the week sometimes we get the whole playground to ourselves read more

Had a very enjoyable time with family and friends learning about the reservoir and surrounding wetlands on a recent boat tour which left from the Manasquan reservoir visitor center. Affordable family fun for all, definitely recommend it. They also offer boat, Kayak and bike rentals read more