Byram Bay by Kayak

June 16, 2025| Education, Events, Recreation

By: Donna Macalle-Holly

Discover the scenic beauty and rich history of Byram Bay on Tuesday, July 22, at 4:30 p.m. (new date after postponement from July 8), during a narrated kayak paddle led by the Lake Hopatcong Foundation—an engaging evening adventure on the water you won’t want to miss.

Join paddle guides Donna Macalle-Holly and Jeremy Travers, along with long-time Hopatcong resident Lynn Owens, for a fun and informative evening out on the water. Your guides will share stories about the area’s local history, wildlife, and lake ecology, offering a fresh perspective on this scenic corner of Lake Hopatcong.

Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or simply enjoy being on the water, this is a unique opportunity to experience the lake in a new light, while learning along the way!

Paddle Details:

• Date & Time: Tuesday, July 22, at 4:30 pm (new date after postponement from July 8),
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Cost: $25 donation per person
• Registration required (form below) – space is limited!

Please Note:

• Bring your own kayak - no inflatable kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards (SUPs)
• Life jackets are required and must be worn at all times
• Participants must be able to enter and exit their kayaks independently or bring a companion to assist
• Restrooms are available at the launch site
• Paddlers will need to walk their kayak down a short, paved incline to launch into a swimming area

Register Here

Your Guides

Donna Macalle-Holly

A paddler and long-time lake resident, Donna has lived and boated on Lake Hopatcong for over 35 years. As the Grants and Program Director for the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, she leads environmental, educational, and recreational initiatives—including the Foundation’s Water Scouts program, which trains volunteers to identify and remove invasive water chestnut. Donna and her husband, Bruce, make their home across from Liffy Island, one of the lake’s preserved open spaces.   

Jeremy Travers

An award-winning photographer and author of Flatwater Kayaker, Jeremy began paddling Lake Hopatcong 35 years ago from his childhood home on Bertrand Island. He has since explored and documented waterways throughout New Jersey and beyond, sharing his adventures through video and digital media. Over the past decade, Jeremy has focused much of his time on the upper Musconetcong Watershed. He volunteers with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and the Musconetcong Watershed Association and serves as a founding board member of PEACENJ (People Enjoying Active Conservation of the Environment in NJ), a Hackettstown-based nonprofit.