Manasquan Reservoir — Attraction in Howell Township

The Ballad of Jim and Dakota: A 5-Mile Journey of Pure Gold 🐾 There are certain, undeniable constants in this crazy world: the sun rises, the birds sing, and my Golden Retriever, Dakota, will find the single muddiest puddle on the entire Manasquan Reservoir trail. Every. Single. Time. 😂 My dog, you see, believes the 5.1-mile loop isn't just a walk; it's a scouting mission for potential puddles, a meet-and-greet with every passing stranger, and a full-scale assault on any errant squirrel. My role, as the author of Uncle Matty Comes Home and a veteran who has seen some things, is to serve as her emotional support human and professional leash-holder. I’ve survived Operation Paul Bunyan, but I’m still not entirely convinced I’ll survive a head-on collision with a tiny Yorkie that Dakota has decided is her new best friend. 🐶😅 This outing began like any other: with Dakota displaying a full-body shimmy of joy. As the pair hit the trail, she was a golden blur of enthusiasm, pulling along like an Olympic luge team. The people encountered were, as always, fantastic. One woman with a poodle asked, "What a beautiful dog! What's his name?" The response, "Dakota," was met with a glance at water-stained sneakers and Dakota, now a majestic brown-and-gold color. "Oh, I was asking about you," she said. It's an easy mistake to make; Dakota is clearly the star. ⭐ Then came the pièce de résistance: The Great Puddle of August. It was a small, temporary lake that Mother Nature provided just for Dakota. She performed a synchronized swimming routine, emerging triumphant and soaked. The splash caused a nearby couple on bicycles to swerve precariously. A veteran’s salute and a heartfelt, "That's my good girl!" was the only response. 💦🐕 Five miles and many conversations later, the pair returned to the car. Shoes were caked in mud, a shirt had a paw print design, and the heart was full. The Manasquan Reservoir is more than a path around a lake. It's a place where the simple, absurd, and wonderfully happy moments of life are celebrated, one soggy, five-mile loop at a time. And frankly, a man and his dog—even a muddy, overzealous dog—couldn’t ask for a healthier adventure. ❤️ #ManasquanReservoir #GoldenRetrieverLife #HappyTrails #DogsofInstagram #Veteran #UncleMattyComesHome #NJParks #HealthyAdventure #MuddyBuddies #WalkWithMyDog #GoodVibes #HikingWithDogs #DakotaTheDog #DogLife #ReservoirViews #LoveMyDog #MonmouthCounty #Outdoorsy #Humor...

I had an amazing day hiking with my dog at the Manasquan Reservoir in Monmouth County! The 5-mile perimeter trail is perfect for a scenic walk, with stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding woods. The park is well-maintained, and the recent addition of a bicycle repair station near the Visitor Center is a nice touch. My dog loved exploring the trails, and it was great to see so many people enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just looking for a peaceful spot to relax, the Manasquan Reservoir has something for everyone....

Worst place I ever been. In order to get there, you need an actual address. Don’t expect to punch in Manasquan reservoir because you will end up in the middle of no where. The trails are short and pointless. The information board is impossible to read and figure out. Maybe a you are here might actually help. All the money that was spent on the education center is disgusting. They should’ve at least taken a quarter of that money to update park. As usual I should’ve known, a horrible county park in an even more horrible state. Please...