3 Best Places to Paddle Board in Greenwood Lake, NY/NJ

Discover serenity and adventure at Greenwood Lake.

Ever considered exploring the best places to paddle board in Greenwood Lake, NY/NJ?

Let us guide you to these fantastic spots nestled between New York and New Jersey.

Embark on this paddle-boarding journey and embrace the natural beauty of Greenwood Lake.

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Greenwood Lake

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 82 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Greenwood Lake

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Greenwood Lake, NY/NJ Border

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Brown’s Point Park, West Milford, NJ and Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park, Greenwood Lake, NY (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm water, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, ducks, geese, herons
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Sterling Forest State Park, scenic shoreline, waterfront homes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Boat traffic awareness, adhere to local boating rules and regulations

Greenwood Lake, straddling the New York and New Jersey border, offers 9 miles of pristine waters surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush forests.

Paddlers can enjoy smooth sailing along the shoreline while soaking in the scenic views of the area’s natural beauty.

#2 Wawayanda Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Mountain Lake
📍 Access Point: Wawayanda State Park Beach, Hewitt, NJ (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, pickerel, sunfish, deer, birds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Wawayanda Mountain, lush forests
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow state park rules; be aware of other recreational watercraft

Located just a short drive south of Greenwood Lake, Wawayanda Lake offers a scenic and serene paddleboard experience within Wawayanda State Park.

Surrounded by the picturesque mountains and forests, paddlers can enjoy calm waters and an abundance of wildlife while exploring this quiet gem.

#3 Monksville Reservoir

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: South Boat Launch, Ringwood, NJ (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Walleye, northern pike, bass, ospreys, eagles
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Ringwood State Park, subtle hills and wooded scenery
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use designated boat launch area, follow reservoir rules and guidelines

Just a few miles from Greenwood Lake, Monksville Reservoir is another popular spot for paddleboarding enthusiasts.

This scenic destination offers calm waters for a leisurely paddling experience amidst the spectacular natural scenery of Ringwood State Park.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case