-
What makes New Jersey’s coastline special?
- Boasting 130 miles of rugged coastline and beautiful landscapes, New Jersey is home to many distinct places and experiences worth exploring.
-
What types of natural attractions can visitors find in New Jersey?
- From picturesque mountains in northern New Jersey to dense forests, spectacular waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails further inland, the state offers diverse outdoor beauty.
-
Why is New Jersey a great destination for nature lovers?
- The Garden State provides nature lovers with an array of things to see and do, making it an ideal destination for outdoor adventures.
Best Time to Visit New Jersey State Parks
- April to June – Spring blooms, mild temps, and ideal conditions for hiking, biking, and paddling.
- July & August – Peak season for swimming, picnicking, and lake activities in popular parks.
- September to October – Crisp air and vibrant foliage—perfect for camping, hiking, and photography.
- November to March – Quiet and cool with peaceful trails and great birdwatching in coastal parks.
- Late May – A sweet spot with full greenery, fewer crowds, and comfortable weather for outdoor fun.
Unique New Jersey State Parks
Allaire State Park
Ride the train and explore a historic village on an educational trip.
© Stephen Bonk/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Allaire State Park known for?
- Allaire State Park is a national park that is famous for being home to the historic 19th-century ironmaking town, Allaire Village, and beautifully restored and maintained antique steam trains which trundle up and down the Pine Creek Railroad.
-
What outdoor activities are available at Allaire State Park?
- The Manasquan River winds through the park and provides a wealth of outdoor and recreational activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing, and kayaking.
-
What kind of wildlife and plant species can be found in the park?
- The river's floodplain boasts a flourishing habitat for a wide variety of fauna and flora, including over 200 species of wildflowers, plants, and trees, as well as birds and other wildlife.
-
What additional activities can visitors enjoy at Allaire State Park?
- Other activities that can be enjoyed in the park range from hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding to picnicking and camping.
-
What amenities are available at the park?
- Amenities at the park include a visitor’s center with exhibits, a nature center, picnic tables, a playground, and food concession stands.
-
What is the address and contact information for Allaire State Park?
-
4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Phone: 732-938-2371
-
4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Climb the lighthouse and enjoy coastal views on a scenic day.
© Erin Cadigan/stock.adobe.com
-
Where is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park located?
- Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park preserves the historic Barnegat Lighthouse.
-
Why is Barnegat Lighthouse significant?
- The lighthouse was once one of the most important navigational points for ships bound to and from New York Harbor.
-
Who operates Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
- The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
-
What features can be found in the park?
- The park includes the Barnegat Lighthouse and the Barnegat Lighthouse Interpretive Center.
-
Is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park part of any heritage trail?
- Yes, the park is included as a maritime site on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.
-
What activities can visitors enjoy at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
- Activities in the park include saltwater fishing, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching.
-
What is the address and contact information for Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?
-
208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, New Jersey 08006
Phone: 609-494-2016
-
208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, New Jersey 08006
Bass River State Forest
Camp by the lake and hike wooded trails on a peaceful weekend.
© Norm/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Bass River State Forest?
- Based around the 67-acre Lake Absegami, Bass River State Forest is a beautiful natural area in New Jersey that provides a wide range of recreational activities.
-
When was Bass River State Forest acquired?
- The forest was acquired by the state of New Jersey in 1905 for public enjoyment and use.
-
What recreational activities are available at Bass River State Forest?
- Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating, canoeing, and camping.
-
What camping accommodations are available?
- The forest features six lakefront cabins along the north shore of Lake Absegami for overnight camping.
- There are 176 tent and trailer sites and six group campsites with water and pit toilets.
- The park also offers nine handicap accessible lean-tos with hardwood floors and outdoor picnic tables.
- Additionally, there are six lakeside shelters with bunk beds and flush toilets and shower facilities nearby.
-
What is the address and contact information for Bass River State Forest?
-
762 Stage Rd, Tuckerton, New Jersey, 08087
Phone: 609-296-1114
-
762 Stage Rd, Tuckerton, New Jersey, 08087
Romantic New Jersey State Parks
Belleplain State Forest
Paddle quiet waters and bike forest roads on a fun family escape.
© torriphoto/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Belleplain State Forest?
- Belleplain State Forest is a 21,320-acre state forest in northern Cape May County that is home to a wealth of young pine, oak, and Atlantic white cedar trees, along with beautiful natural landscapes.
-
What is the history of Belleplain State Forest?
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) converted the Meisle Cranberry Bog into Lake Nummy in 1928 when the state park was established.
- At the same time, the CCC developed the original forest headquarters, a road system, and several bridges.
-
What recreational activities are available at Belleplain State Forest?
- Belleplain State Forest offers a variety of activities including boating, camping, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and over 40 miles of hiking trails.
-
What is the address and contact information for Belleplain State Forest?
-
1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ 08270
Phone: 609-861-2404
-
1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ 08270
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Explore the Pine Barrens and spot wildlife on an unusual nature trip.
© Baronb/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Brendan T. Byrne State Forest?
- Formerly known as Lebanon State Forest, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is a 37,242-acre state forest in the New Jersey Pine Barrens between Burlington and Ocean Counties.
-
What is Brendan T. Byrne State Forest known for?
- The forest is famous for its vast acres of beautiful pine trees. Once a barren, cleared land in the 1800s, it is now a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
-
What recreational activities are available at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest?
- The forest features miles of sandy trails and roads for hiking and mountain biking.
- Visitors can enjoy glistening streams flowing through acres of swampy land and tranquil bodies of water for boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming.
-
What is the address and contact information for Brendan T. Byrne State Forest?
-
Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Phone: 609-726-1191
-
Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Cape May Point State Park
Watch birds and tour the lighthouse on an educational coastal outing.
© steheap/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Cape May Point State Park?
- Cape May Point State Park is a 244-acre day-use state park in Cape May Point that offers a range of outdoor activities.
-
What outdoor activities are available at Cape May Point State Park?
- Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, and beach-combing.
-
Who operates Cape May Point State Park?
- The park is operated by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
-
Why is Cape May Point State Park significant for bird watching?
- The park is one of the best places in the country to see the annual Fall migration of birds to the south.
-
Where can birds be watched in the park?
-
There are three areas in the park where birds can be observed:
- The beach for shorebirds
- Hawk watching platforms for birds of prey
- Several hiking trails for songbirds
-
There are three areas in the park where birds can be observed:
-
Are there historical sites in the park?
- Visitors can see the remnants of a gun battery that was based at the Cape May Military Reservation during World War I and World War II.
-
What is the address and contact information for Cape May Point State Park?
-
Light House Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Phone: 609-884-2159
-
Light House Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
New Jersey Parks for Families
Corson's Inlet State Park
Walk sandy trails and fish in calm waters on a relaxing beach day.
© zuccheronero/stock.adobe.com
-
What is Corson's Inlet State Park?
- Corson's Inlet State Park borders the Corson Inlet and protects and preserves one of the last undeveloped tracts of oceanfront land.
-
Where is Corson's Inlet State Park located?
- The park is located just south of Ocean City in Cape May County.
-
What types of landscapes and habitats can be found in the park?
-
The 341-acre state park is home to pristine, untouched landscapes and natural habitats, including:
- Dune systems
- Marine estuaries
- Shoreline overwash
- Upland areas
-
The 341-acre state park is home to pristine, untouched landscapes and natural habitats, including:
-
What wildlife can be found in Corson's Inlet State Park?
-
The park is teeming with fauna and flora and is home to a
multitude of migratory and residential wildlife species, including:
- Least terns
- Black skimmers
- Sandpipers
- Herons
- Gulls
- Sanderlings
- Ducks
-
The park is teeming with fauna and flora and is home to a
multitude of migratory and residential wildlife species, including:
-
Are there any endangered species in the park?
- The park features a protected nesting site for the endangered piping plover and also protects the endangered seabeach amaranth.
-
What recreational activities are available at Corson's Inlet State Park?
-
Activities in the park include:
- Visiting the beach in the summer months
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Swimming
-
Activities in the park include:
-
What is the address and contact information for Corson's Inlet State Park?
-
County Hwy 619, Ocean City, NJ 08214
Phone: 609-861-2404
-
County Hwy 619, Ocean City, NJ 08214
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Bike scenic towpaths and enjoy river views on a peaceful trip.
© Erin Cadigan/stock.adobe.com
-
What is the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park?
- The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is set along the Delaware and Raritan Canal and features beautiful natural scenery and a wealth of recreational activities for outdoor lovers.
-
Who operates and maintains the park?
- The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
-
What is the length of the recreational trail in the park?
- The park has a 77-mile recreational trail made up of three segments that traverse three counties.
-
What activities can visitors enjoy on the trail?
- The trail is popular with walkers, runners, hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
-
What scenic features does the park offer?
- The trail crosses five bridges that span the Delaware River, offering lovely views of the surrounding landscapes.
-
Where is the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park located?
- Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset Counties, New Jersey
Double Trouble State Park
Visit a historic village and hike forest trails on a quiet outing.
© Norm/stock.adobe.com
-
Where is Double Trouble State Park located?
- Spanning the Lacey and Berkeley Townships in Ocean County, the Double Trouble State Park is a pristine wilderness that is home to a unique Pine Barrens ecosystem.
-
What does Double Trouble State Park protect?
- The park protects over 8,000 acres of forest, which boasts significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources.
-
What historical significance does the park have?
- The park offers a window into Pine Barrens history and provides an introduction to southern New Jersey's rich natural and cultural heritage.
-
What unique features does Double Trouble State Park offer?
- In addition to a high-quality Pine Barrens watershed, the park also features a well-preserved historic village that was involved with the local industries of logging, milling, and cranberry agriculture.
-
What is the address and contact information for Double Trouble State Park?
-
581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: 732-341-4098
-
581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ 08721
Fort Mott State Park
Explore old military structures and picnic by the river on a historic trip.
© Fort Mott State Park
-
Where is Fort Mott State Park located?
- Located in Pennsville, Salem County, Fort Mott State Park was once part of a three-fort coastal defense system.
-
What was the purpose of Fort Mott?
- The park was part of the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware, a three-fort coastal defense system designed for the Delaware River in the late 1800s.
-
When was Fort Mott constructed?
- The fortifications were erected in 1896 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War.
-
What historical features can visitors explore?
- Visitors can explore the old batteries and learn more about the history of the fort.
-
What outdoor activities are available near Fort Mott?
- The Delaware River lies just beyond Fort Mott State Park and offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, dog-walking, and picnicking.
-
What can visitors find at the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Welcome Center?
- The NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Welcome Center features a variety of displays and exhibits that tell the story of the fort and the surrounding ecosystems.
-
What is the address and contact information for Fort Mott State Park?
-
454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Phone: 856-935-3218
-
454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Map:
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Allaire State Park
- 2. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
- 3. Bass River State Forest
- 4. Belleplain State Forest
- 5. Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
- 6. Cape May Point State Park
- 7. Corson's Inlet State Park
- 8. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
- 9. Double Trouble State Park
- 10. Fort Mott State Park