Visitor Center - 732-919-0996    
311 Windeler Road, Howell 07731
Environmental Center - 732-751-9453    
331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731
Ranger Station - 732-938-6760
Winter Run Activity Center and 4-H Program Area - 732-919-0996 
270 Southard Ave, Howell 07731
See Supplemental Rules and Regulations for the Manasquan Reservoir.  

Park Brochure & Map | Tick Advisory        
Park opens daily at 7 a.m. November 1-March 31 and 6 a.m. April 1-October 31.  
Closing time is 9 p.m. through May 25; 9:30 p.m. May 26-July 20; and 9 p.m. July 21-August 17.      

Park features:

• 1,348 acres of land and water
• fishing
• 5-mile perimeter trail
• 1-mile nature trail
• playground
• ice-skating
• kayak and rowboat rentals

The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The Reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits. The 770-acre Reservoir is part of a larger 1,348-acre site that includes woods and wetlands, a 5-mile perimeter trail, fishing and boating areas, and a Visitor Center. A bicycle repair station with a tire pump and tools has recently been added by the main trailhead kiosk near the Visitor Center.

The site also features an Environmental Center, dedicated to providing experiences of learning and discovery related to wetlands ecology and wildlife and habitat protection through interactive exhibits, multi-media presentations, educational activities for schools and community groups, and wildlife observation areas.  Please note that the Environmental Center is currently closed for renovations. 

PLEASE NOTE:  

• Gatherings of organized groups or groups of 50 or more are not available at this site. A picnic shelter can be rented for a max of 50 people. Please see Picnic Area & Shelters for more information and nearby County Park System facilities where these groups can be accommodated.  
• Swimming is not permitted.

Visitor Center   
This Center is the site of all boating activities at the reservoir and features a boat rental area, bait shop, vending machines, restrooms, fireplace and program activity rooms. The bait shop is closed December thru February. The second level observation deck offer spectacular views of the site. 

Fishing
The Reservoir is open year round for fishing and is stocked with large and small-mouth bass, hybrid striped bass, tiger muskie, bullhead catfish and panfish species. A State fishing licenses is required for anglers age 16 and over. A license can be purchased at any local fishing supply/bait shop or by visiting the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife website.  Fishing licenses are NOT available for purchase at the Manasquan Reservoir.

Boating
The boat ramp is open for the season March 1 through November 30. Seasonal and daily boat launch passes are available at the cost of $7 daily or $50 seasonal. All vessels must be launched from the east ramp at the Visitor Center. Boating is a great way to explore this site, take advantage of the fishing opportunities, or simply relax. All boats (with electric motors), sailboats, kayaks and canoes must be at least 8' in length, are permitted on the Reservoir. All persons boating on the Manasquan Reservoir shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved type I, II, III hybrid inflatable, or V personal flotation device in serviceable conditions. New Jersey State Boating laws and Park System rules and regulations are in effect on the water. See our rules and regulations for the Manasquan Reservoir. 
 

Boat/Kayak  Rentals  
At the Visitor Center's bait shop (lower level), park patrons ages 18 and older can rent rowboats (1-hr $15.94 or 4-hrs $36.58); electric motor powered rowboats (4-hrs $47.83); and kayaks (1-hr single person $15.94 or 1-hr double person $21.57). A $10 deposit is required for 1 1-hour rental; a $20 deposit is required for 4 4-hour rental. Row boat rentals are offered from April 1-October 31, and kayak rentals from May 1- October 31. Availability is first come, first served. Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover accepted; deposits are cash only.  (Prices do not include sales tax. Updated 1/2025.)  

Boat rentals begin at 7 a.m. The schedule for the last rental of the day and when all boats must be returned is as follows:

Please note that the operation of an electric motorboat requires a NJ boating safety certificate.

Rigging 101

If you are an experienced sailor but do not have a sailing certification or would like to refresh your skills, please attend one of our free Rigging 101 sessions to learn how to rig our 15’ American sailboats. Sailors showing proficiency will have an opportunity to obtain a Monmouth County Park System sailing card, which will allow them to rent these boats during our drop-in sailboat rental times. FREE!  
  

Program meets at Manasquan Reservoir West Dock/Ramp on the following dates/times:

Private Sail Lessons

New to sailing, need a refresher, or just want to sit back and enjoy the experience? Catch the wind during a private sailing lesson in our 15’ American (2-4 people) or 12’ Pico sailboats (1 adult or 2 youth). An experienced sailing instructor will be with you on the boat (or coaching from a sailing safety boat or Pico) to answer all your sailing questions. Novice and experienced sailors looking for a refresher are encouraged to register. Learn proper sailing techniques, including how to read the wind, maneuver your sailboat, and how to be a captain! Be sure to call in advance for your private lesson. Sailors age 8 and up can join with an adult.

• Lessons Available: June 17-September 22
• Cost: One 3-hour hands-on lesson $175 for two people, $135 for any additional lessons.
• For reservations or questions, please call 732-842-4000, ext. 4325. (Please note that this telephone number is for sail lessons only. For information regarding Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours, please call the Environmental Center at 732-751-9453; for other inquiries, please call the Visitor Center at 732-919-0996.)

Sailboat Rentals

Thursdays and Saturdays, May 31 through September 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Are you a sailor without a boat? The Park System has sailboats available to rent at the Manasquan Reservoir. Renters must have a Red Cross, US Sailing, or Monmouth County Park System sailing card in order to rent. First-come, first-serve.

  
12’ Pico Sailboat Rentals

• Cost: $75 per boat for 2-hour rental
• Laser Pico 12' sailboats can accommodate one adult or two youth.

15’ American Sailboat Rentals

• Cost: $90 per boat for 2-hour rental
• 15' American sailboats can accommodate two to three people.

Sailors with a Monmouth County Park System sailing card are eligible to rent these boats during our drop-in rentals. Otherwise, rentals are available by appointment made at LEAST 48 hours in advance by calling 732-842-4000, ext. 4325. (Please note that this telephone number is for sailboat rentals only. For information regarding Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours, please call the Environmental Center at 732-751-9453; for other inquiries, please call the Visitor Center at 732-919-0996.)

Weekends & Holidays:   
May 24-September 1 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Selected Friday Evenings:  
Friday, June 6; Friday, July 11; & Friday, August 1 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Wednesdays: 
Wednesdays from July 2-August 27 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

These 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife, including turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys, and perhaps a bald eagle. Life-jackets are required. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child (12 and under). Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center on the day of the tour. Please call 732-751-9453 to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Please Note: Children must be 1-year or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour.

Trails
The 5.1-mile gravel Perimeter Trail offers panoramic views of the Reservoir and provides a great trail experience for all users. This trail loops all the way around the reservoir and has a fairly even, well-maintained surface, and is designated as a MODERATE trail due to its length. Mileposts are marked on the trail. A bicycle repair station with a tire pump and tools has recently been added by the main trailhead kiosk near the Visitor Center.  

An additional 1.1-mile Cove Trail is a scenic nature trail that explores the lakeshore around the Environmental Center and is open to pedestrians only.

 
In accordance with New Jersey’s Smoke Free Air Act, all Monmouth County parks are tobacco free. The ban applies to cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaporize cigarettes, as well as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chew.

Directions

• Garden State Parkway to Exit 98, Interstate 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. 
• State Hwy. 9 south from Freehold to Georgia Tavern Rd. Use Jughandle to turn left onto Georgia Tavern Rd. Proceed as above.