New Jersey State Parks

Location:

Farmingdale, NJ

Highlights:

If you’re into history, steam trains, and riverside adventures, Allaire State Park is the kind of place we’d rave about on a weekend escape list. It’s got 19th-century charm, scenic trails, and activities for every kind of outdoor explorer.

We Recommend This For:

History buffs, families, nature lovers, campers, cyclists, and paddlers looking for a full day or weekend outdoors.

What we Love:

The living history of Allaire Village, antique steam train rides on Pine Creek Railroad, and riverside activities along the Manasquan River.

• Visit the restored 19th-century ironmaking town of Allaire Village, a step back into New Jersey’s industrial past.
• Ride an antique steam train on the Pine Creek Railroad, a fun and nostalgic experience for all ages.
• Paddle the Manasquan River with options for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and riverside fishing.
• Explore lush floodplain trails filled with over 200 species of wildflowers, trees, and wildlife.
• Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and relaxing picnics or overnights at the campground.

Distance from NYC:

Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

How to Get to Allaire State Park:

Drive via Garden State Parkway to Exit 98, then follow signs west on Route 138 to Atlantic Ave. Ample parking is available at the main entrance.

Address:

4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Phone: 732-938-2371

Location:

Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island, NJ

Highlights:

If lighthouses and coastal views speak to your soul, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is one of those classic Jersey Shore stops we’d never skip. It’s peaceful, picturesque, and packed with maritime history that’s easy to explore in a single scenic visit.

We Recommend This For:

Lighthouse lovers, history buffs, birdwatchers, saltwater anglers, and day-trippers exploring the Jersey Shore.

What we Love:

The iconic lighthouse, views of the Atlantic, and its inclusion on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.

• Climb the historic Barnegat Lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views from the top—especially stunning at sunrise or sunset.
• Visit the Barnegat Lighthouse Interpretive Center to learn about its role as a vital 19th-century navigation point.
• Fish along the jetty for striped bass, bluefish, and other saltwater species.
• Picnic in designated areas with ocean breezes and plenty of seagulls for company.
• Birdwatch along coastal trails—this spot is a favorite for migrating shorebirds and osprey sightings.

Distance from NYC:

Around 2 hours by car.

How to Get to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park:

Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 63 for Route 72 E, then follow signs through Long Beach Island to Barnegat Light. The lighthouse is located at the very northern tip.

Address:

208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Phone: 609-494-2016

Location:

Tuckerton, NJ

Highlights:

If you’re looking for a lakeside getaway packed with outdoor activities and camping options, Bass River State Forest is a New Jersey gem we’d definitely recommend. With trails, cabins, and peaceful water views, it’s perfect for both adventurers and chill-seekers alike.

We Recommend This For:

Campers, hikers, families, paddlers, and nature lovers looking for a scenic, low-key escape.

What we Love:

Lake Absegami’s tranquil setting, extensive camping accommodations, and the variety of water and trail-based activities.

• Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating, canoeing, and more around the 67-acre Lake Absegami.
• Camp in one of six lakefront cabins or choose from 176 tent/trailer sites and six group campsites with essential amenities.
• Relax in nine accessible lean-tos or six lakeside shelters equipped with bunk beds and access to restrooms and showers.
• Explore the first state forest acquired in New Jersey—established in 1905 for public use and enjoyment.
• Unwind by the water with a picnic or take a quiet paddle out at sunrise for a serene start to your day.

Distance from Philadelphia:

About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

How to Get to Bass River State Forest:

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 52, then follow signs to Stage Rd and Lake Absegami. Ample parking and signage guide visitors to recreation and camping areas.

Address:

762 Stage Rd, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-1114

Romantic New Jersey State Parks

Location:

Woodbine, NJ

Highlights:

If you’re after quiet trails, a scenic swim, or a bit of CCC-era history, Belleplain State Forest is one of those under-the-radar places we’d absolutely recommend. With forests, lakes, and more than 40 miles of trails, it’s a dream for outdoor lovers.

We Recommend This For:

Hikers, campers, paddlers, history fans, and anyone wanting a peaceful nature retreat near the Jersey Shore.

What we Love:

Tranquil Lake Nummy, CCC-built bridges and headquarters, and a forest brimming with young pine and cedar trees.

• Swim or relax by Lake Nummy, created in 1928 when the CCC transformed a cranberry bog into a recreational lake.
• Camp under the trees with options for tenting, cabins, and group sites.
• Hike more than 40 miles of trails through pine, oak, and cedar forests teeming with local wildlife.
• Boat or canoe across calm waters, or cast a line for a leisurely day of fishing.
• Discover the park’s history in the original CCC-built headquarters and road system that still shape the forest today.

Distance from Atlantic City:

About 45 minutes by car.

How to Get to Belleplain State Forest:

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 17 and follow Route 550 west toward Woodbine. Look for signs for the forest and Lake Nummy recreation area.

Address:

1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ 08270
Phone: 609-861-2404

Location:

New Lisbon, NJ

Highlights:

If you’re looking for a peaceful stretch of pine forest to hike, paddle, or just disconnect, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is a hidden gem we’d happily share. It’s vast, quiet, and full of nature’s best surprises tucked into the Pine Barrens.

We Recommend This For:

Nature lovers, hikers, paddlers, mountain bikers, campers, and anyone who enjoys remote forest exploration.

What we Love:

Towering pine forests, winding sandy trails, hidden streams, and a quiet, untamed wilderness feel that’s hard to beat.

• Explore over 37,000 acres of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, once barren land now reborn into dense forest.
• Hike or bike through miles of sandy trails and old forest roads with peaceful, uncrowded views.
• Paddle or fish in tranquil streams and ponds that cut through swampy terrain rich in wildlife.
• Swim or just relax lakeside, soaking in the natural calm and forested beauty all around you.
• Reconnect with nature in a place that feels far from everything—but is still easy to reach.

Distance from Philadelphia:

About 1 hour by car.

How to Get to Brendan T. Byrne State Forest:

Take Route 70 or Route 72 to the New Lisbon area. The forest is accessible directly from Route 72 East, with parking and signage guiding you to main trailheads and lake areas.

Address:

Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Phone: 609-726-1191

Location:

Cape May Point, NJ

Highlights:

If birdwatching, beach walks, and a little coastal history sound like your thing, Cape May Point State Park is one of those day-use destinations we’d point to with confidence. It’s serene, scenic, and home to one of the best bird migrations in the country.

We Recommend This For:

Birders, beachcombers, photographers, history fans, and anyone looking to spend a peaceful day at the Jersey Shore.

What we Love:

Fall bird migration, hawk watching platforms, scenic coastal trails, and historic remnants from two world wars.

• Watch birds migrate in one of the best viewing locations in the country—especially during the fall season.
• Spot shorebirds from the beach, raptors from hawk platforms, and songbirds along several easy trails.
• Explore remnants of a World War I and II gun battery from the Cape May Military Reservation.
• Enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, beachcombing, and boating—plenty of activities packed into 244 acres.
• Relax in this day-use park perfect for picnics, walks, and connecting with coastal wildlife.

Distance from Atlantic City:

About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

How to Get to Cape May Point State Park:

Drive south on Garden State Parkway to Exit 0, then follow signs through Cape May to Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point. Ample signage will guide you to the park.

Address:

Light House Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Phone: 609-884-2159

New Jersey Parks for Families

Location:

Ocean City, NJ (Cape May County)

Highlights:

If untouched shoreline and bird-rich estuaries sound like your ideal day out, Corson’s Inlet State Park is a peaceful slice of the Jersey coast we’d wholeheartedly recommend. It’s quiet, pristine, and one of the last stretches of undeveloped oceanfront in the state.

We Recommend This For:

Birdwatchers, paddlers, beach walkers, wildlife photographers, and nature lovers seeking a low-key, natural setting.

What we Love:

The protected nesting grounds, rare plant life, and raw, unspoiled beaches surrounded by dunes and saltwater marshes.

• Explore 341 acres of preserved habitats, including dune systems, marine estuaries, shoreline overwash, and upland areas.
• Observe migratory and residential birds like herons, black skimmers, sandpipers, sanderlings, and ducks.
• Protect endangered wildlife by respecting the park’s nesting areas for piping plovers and rare seabeach amaranth plants.
• Enjoy activities like beach-going, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming in the summer months.
• Reconnect with nature in one of the state’s most tranquil and biologically rich coastal parks.

Distance from Atlantic City:

About 30–35 minutes by car.

How to Get to Corson’s Inlet State Park:

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 25, follow Roosevelt Blvd toward Ocean City, then head south on County Hwy 619 until you reach the park entrance.

Address:

County Hwy 619, Ocean City, NJ 08214
Phone: 609-861-2404

Location:

Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties, NJ

Highlights:

If you love scenic trails that stretch for miles along peaceful waterways, Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is a must-visit we’d gladly recommend. It’s one of New Jersey’s most iconic multi-use trails, rich with nature, history, and panoramic river views.

We Recommend This For:

Cyclists, runners, equestrians, long-distance hikers, and anyone seeking a scenic, well-maintained trail through Central Jersey’s most tranquil corners.

What we Love:

The 77-mile trail, river-spanning bridges, historic canal features, and the lush tree-lined paths that go on for miles.

• Walk, bike, or ride horseback along one of New Jersey’s longest continuous recreational trails.
• Enjoy lovely views from five bridges that span the Delaware River and connect to historic river towns.
• Explore diverse terrain—from wooded stretches to canal locks and charming village trailheads.
• Spot wildlife and seasonal foliage while enjoying peaceful paths ideal for running, hiking, or a casual stroll.
• Connect with nature, history, and fitness all in one experience along this beautifully preserved canal corridor.

Distance from Trenton:

Just minutes from downtown, with trail access points throughout the region.

How to Get to Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park:

Trailheads are accessible from various towns including Lambertville, Princeton, and Trenton. Parking is available near major entry points like Washington Crossing and Griggstown Causeway.

Address:

Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties, NJ

Location:

Bayville, NJ (Lacey and Berkeley Townships, Ocean County)

Highlights:

If you're curious about New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and love a good mix of nature and history, Double Trouble State Park is one we’d absolutely point you to. It’s quiet, rustic, and filled with stories from both the forest and the past.

We Recommend This For:

History buffs, hikers, nature photographers, and anyone interested in Pine Barrens ecology and local heritage.

What we Love:

The preserved historic village, serene trails through Pine Barrens forest, and the fascinating cranberry agriculture history woven throughout the park.

• Explore over 8,000 acres of protected Pine Barrens wilderness, including high-quality watershed and rare plant habitats.
• Visit the well-preserved Double Trouble Village, once the center of logging, milling, and cranberry farming.
• Learn about southern New Jersey’s cultural roots through interpretive signage and historic structures scattered across the site.
• Hike quiet wooded trails where you’ll often spot native birds and wetland wildlife.
• Connect to a slower, simpler time surrounded by natural beauty and regional history.

Distance from Toms River:

About 20 minutes by car.

How to Get to Double Trouble State Park:

Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 77 (Pinewald-Keswick Rd). Follow signs to the park entrance located just east of Route 9 in Bayville.

Address:

581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: 732-341-4098

Location:

Pennsville, NJ (Salem County)

Highlights:

If you're a fan of history with a side of waterfront tranquility, Fort Mott State Park is one of those hidden gems we’d definitely point you to. It's got preserved military relics, scenic river views, and a peaceful energy perfect for both learning and lounging.

We Recommend This For:

History lovers, families, picnickers, photographers, and anyone looking for a relaxing riverfront walk with a bit of historic depth.

What we Love:

The historic batteries, views of the Delaware River, and the well-curated exhibits at the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Welcome Center.

• Explore the 1896-era fortifications built to protect the Delaware River during the Spanish-American War.
• Walk among the preserved old batteries and learn about their role in coastal defense history.
• Enjoy riverfront activities like hiking, jogging, dog-walking, and peaceful picnic spots with scenic views.
• Visit the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Welcome Center for exhibits about the fort and surrounding ecosystems.
• Relax in open grassy areas with a view of the water—perfect for reading or unwinding outdoors.

Distance from Wilmington, DE:

Around 30 minutes by car.

How to Get to Fort Mott State Park:

From I-295, take Exit 1C toward Pennsville and follow signs to Fort Mott Road. The park entrance is well-marked and includes parking near the main fort area.

Address:

454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Phone: 856-935-3218