Cedar Run Dock Road

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Map(s)

Little Egg Harbor.jpgOverview map (637x608), 126K size.

Scenery

Best place to launch from to explore the northern part of Little Egg Harbor.  Inadvertently visited this area, after launching from Parker Cove, which is roughly 5 mi away (depending on your route).  Depending on wind conditions & boat traffic, it is possible to make it to LBI.  Head east, then at the Mill Creek Thorofare, head north to the route 72 bridge.

Fees

None.

Directions

Take route 195 east, to exit 8.  At the top of the ramp, turn left.  Just beyond the route 195 intersection, turn right onto route 524.  Take route 524, 1.6 mi to Sharon Station Road (this is the first intersection).  Turn right onto Sharon Station Road, which eventully leads into route 539.  (Most maps do NOT show the two roads connecting; Sharon Station Road was diverted, recently, to make the roads connect.)  Before reaching route 539, be careful going through the route 526 intersection ... go the posted speed limit, and you will feel it in your lower back.  Also watch out for a large pothole near that intersection, on the south-bound side.

Take route 539 to the intersection with route 72, turn left toward the LBI.  Take route 9 south, 1 mi to Cedar Run Dock Road, and make the left.  Take the road all the way to the end, where you will find parking.

Parking

Fair amount of parking on the asphalt lot, with one or two spots on the grass.

Distance to the Launch Area

You have to remove your boat, while on the asphalt parking lot, then carry it over the eel grass to the water.  Borderline kayak cart territory.  There are not many, but watch the greenheads.

Restrooms

Nothing.  Consider using the restrooms at nearby Paul A. King Park, on route 166, near the route 9 - 72 intersection.

Status of Launch Area

To the west of the fishing dock, is a sandy to fine gravel launch area, which is nice and shallow.  Shielded from most wind directions, making an easy launch.  (Totally shielded from N & NE winds.)  This is a great launch point in the northern part of the bay, providing great access to the marshes south of Barnegat Bay.  Because of its openess, this parking area is THE worst for getting your boat on and off the car on a windy day.  (Best to go with a buddy.)

Wind Conditions

The parking area is bad enough, and given that this is large bay, winds can get very nasty.  They are at their meanest, when coming from the east, since they can build up the waves.

Powerboats

Once past the immediate launch area, this is THE most wide-open part of Little Egg Harbor; the sky is the limit for horsepower.  Powerboats & jet skis abound.  Stay out of the channels, indicated by red & green markers.  If ever there was a place to go out in groups, this it; multiple kayaks have greater visibility than lone ones. 

Foliage

Do not know.  I have not been here in the fall.  But given that this is the shore, do not expect much.

Rolling Practice?

Little Egg Harbor is huge, and includes a lot of boat traffic.  Some of the coves & marshes may be okay.  Best Bet: Consider the in-land lakes.  The area, in particular is too open.