Old Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ
Phone: (609) 625-8219
www.aclink.org/PARKS/mainpages/Lake_Lenape.asp
Atlantic County Parks
Exit Great Egg Harbor River WMA and turn Left onto Grace Street, then Right onto Route 50. At the second traffic light, continue Straight onto Mill Street. Turn Left at the blinking light. After 0.2 miles turn Right into the entrance for Lake Lenape Park. DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST HIGHWAY: From the intersection of Route 50 and Route 322 in Mays Landing, continue South on Route 50/Cape May Avenue. After 1.8 miles, turn Right on Main Street. At the end of Main Street, bear Left onto Mill Street, then turn Right at the blinking light. After 0.2 miles turn Right into the entrance for Lake Lenape Park. Map
NJ Transit buses 315 and 553 stop in front of the McDonalds at the intersection of Route 40 and Central Avenue. Walk North 2 blocks up Central Avenue, then West two blocks on Reliance Avenue. Turn Right on Mill Street and walk to the blinking light. Turn Left at the blinking light and walk 0.25 miles to the park entrance on the Right. Turn Left at the blinking light. After 0.2 miles turn Right into the entrance for Lake Lenape Park.
Fireworks in July and powerboat races in September.
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| Bluegill Sunfish | Marvin Hyett |
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| | With miles of Pine Barrens trails and acres of lakeside habitat at the head of the Great Egg Harbor River, Lake Lenape Park is a great destination for beginner and advanced naturalists alike. In the winter, raptors, mammals and waterfowl are conspicuous. During the warmer months the lake hosts healthy populations of fish, turtles and migrant and breeding songbirds. Pavilions, campsites, playgrounds and proximity to May’s Landing make this an excellent family destination.
During the winter, between Christmas and late January, Lake Lenape hosts a population of roosting Bald Eagles. There have been as many as 30 counted at one time. When the weather is cold and the lake freezes, ducks are concentrated to open water and watching the Eagles hunt them can be quite a show!
Bald Eagles use the area for hunting and roosting. Nesting Barred and Great Horned Owls can be heard and sometimes seen. Wintering waterfowl include Common Merganser, Common Loon and Bufflehead. Otters and beaver can often be seen swimming. Red-headed Woodpecker is a specialty woodland bird that can be found here on occasion.
Migrant songbirds forage in the woods. Look for Blue-winged, Tennessee and Blackpoll Warblers, and vireo species, among others. Tree, Barn, Rough-winged and Bank Swallows can be found in the area. Fowler's toads and spring peepers are heard in the wetlands. Plants such as wild blueberry, Clethera, black gum and other wetland/pineland species are found lakeside and all along Great Egg Harbor River.
Belted Kingfisher and Wood Duck are among that breed along the lake and up the river. Many types of turtles can be seen on the lake sunning themselves on the logs in the water. These include red-Bellied, painted, mud, stinkpot, and snapping turtles. Black rat snakes, king snakes, pine snakes and black racers are the common large snake species in the area. Fence lizards and 5-lined skinks can be scared up near fallen logs. Dragonflies and damselflies are abundant at the lake edges.
Migrating raptors are often seen cruising down the lake, especially Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk. American Bittern sometimes make an appearance in a wet fall. Thrushes are often found in large woods in huge flocks during migration. Ruddy Duck, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, and Pied-billed Grebe can be found in the Lake.
The East side of the lake has recently been purchased by Atlantic County and opened to the public with a beachfront that offers nice views of the lake. Further recreational activities may be offered – contact the park office for more information.
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