The Best Parks in New Jersey
With 130 miles of rugged coastline and beautiful scenery, New Jersey is home to many different places and experiences that are well worth spending time exploring. From the picturesque mountains of northern New Jersey to dense forests, spectacular waterfalls, and miles of inland hiking trails, the Garden State offers nature lovers a wide variety of things to see and do.
New Jersey’s spectacular landscapes are protected and preserved by numerous state and national parks, which not only offer stunning scenery, but also provide endless fun things to do. Be sure to call attractions and restaurants prior to your visit to confirm current opening hours.
Read on to find out which are the best parks in New Jersey .
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
11. Hacklebarney State Park
12. High Point State Park
13. Island Beach State Park
14. Kittatinny Valley State Park
15. Liberty State Park
16. Long Pond Ironworks State Park
17. New Jersey Pinelands
18. Norvin Green State Forest
19. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
20. New Jersey Parks: Princeton Battlefield State Park
21. New Jersey Parks: Ringwood State Park
22. NJ Parks: Swartswood State Park
23.Thomas Edison National Historical Park
24. Parks in NJ: Voorhees State Park
25. Washington Rock State Park
1. Allaire State Park
Allaire State Park is a national park famous for being home to the historic 19th century ironworkers’ village, Allaire Village, and the beautifully restored and maintained old steam trains that run up and down the Pine Creek Railroad. The Manasquan River meanders through the park and offers a host of outdoor and recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, fishing, and kayaking. The river’s floodplain is a thriving habitat for a wide variety of fauna and flora, including more than 200 species of wildflowers, plants, and trees, as well as birds and other wildlife. Other activities that can be enjoyed in the park range from hiking, mountain biking and horse riding to picnicking and camping.
2. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is famous for preserving the Barnegat Lighthouse, which was once the most important navigation point for ships going and they came from the port of New York. Managed and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, the park features several elements, such as the Barnegat Lighthouse and the Barnegat Lighthouse.
3. Bass River State Forest
Based on the 67-acre Lake Absegami, Bass River State Forest is a beautiful New Jersey natural area that offers a wide range of recreational activities, from hiking and mountain biking to swimming, boating, canoeing and camping. Acquired by the state of New Jersey in 1905 for public enjoyment and use, the forest has six lakefront cabins on the north shore of Lake Absegami for camping, 176 tent and trailer pitches, six group camps with water and pit toilets, and nine handicapped sheds with wooden floors and outdoor picnic tables. There are also six lakeside lodges with bunk beds and flush toilets and showers nearby.
4. Belleplain State Forest
Belleplain State Forest is a 21,320-acre state forest located in northern Cape May County that is home to an abundance of young Atlantic pine, oak, and white cedar trees, as well as beautiful natural scenery. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) converted the Meisle Blueberry Bog into Lake Nummy in 1928, when the state park was established, along with the original site of the forest, a road system, and several bridges Belleplain State Forest offers a variety of recreational activities and facilities for boating, camping, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and over 40 miles of hiking trails.
5. Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Formerly known as the Lebanon State Forest, the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is a 37,242-hectare state forest in the Pine Barren of New Jersey, between Burlington and Ocean counties. Famous for its vast acres of beautiful pine trees, the forest, which in the 19th century was barren and cleared land, is now a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with miles of trails and sandy paths for hiking. and mountain biking, shimmering streams flowing through acres of swampy terrain and calm bodies of water for boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming.
6. 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 number of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, and beach combing. Managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, Cape May Point State Park is one of the best places in the country to view the birds’ annual fall migration south. There are three areas in the park where you can watch birds: the beach for shorebirds, the hawk-watching platforms for birds of prey, and several hiking trails for songbirds.
7. Corson’s Inlet State Park
Corson’s Inlet State Park borders Corson Inlet and protects and preserves one of the last stretches of undeveloped waterfront land. Located just south of Ocean City in Cape May County, this 341-acre state park is home to pristine, untouched landscapes and natural habitats ranging from dune systems, marine estuaries, overcoastals and uplands. Replete with fauna and flora, the park has a multitude of migratory and residential wildlife species, including least terns, black stonefish, sandpiper, herons, gulls, sandpiper and ducks. The park also has a protected nesting ground for the endangered sea plover and protects the endangered beach amaranth. Activities in the park include visiting the beach in the summer months,
8. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is situated along the Delaware and Raritan Canal and features beautiful natural scenery and plenty of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Managed and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forests, the park features a 77-mile recreational trail made up of three segments that traverse three counties and is popular with walkers, joggers, hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The trail crosses five bridges spanning the Delaware River, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.
Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties, New Jersey
9.Double Trouble State Park
Spanning the townships of Lacey and Berkeley in Ocean County, Double Trouble State Park is a pristine wilderness that is home to a unique Pine Barrens ecosystem. Offering a window into the history of the Pine Barrens, the park protects more than 8,000 acres of forest, which has important natural, cultural and recreational resources. It also provides an introduction, for locals and visitors alike, to the rich natural and cultural heritage of southern New Jersey. In addition to a high-quality Pine Barrens watershed, the park also features a well-preserved historic village that is associated with the local logging, milling, and cranberry farming industries.
10. Fort Mott State Park
Located in Pennsville, Salem County, Fort Mott State Park was once part of a three-fort coastal defense system known as the Delaware Harbor Defenses, which was designed for the Delaware River in the late 19th century . Erected in 1896, the fortifications were built in anticipation of the Spanish-American War, and today visitors can explore the old batteries and learn more about the fort’s history. The Delaware River is located just past Fort Mott State Park and is a great place for outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging, dog walks, and picnics. The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Welcome Center features a variety of displays and exhibits that tell the story of the fort and the surrounding ecosystems.
11. Hacklebarney State Park
Hacklebarney State Park is situated between Chester and Long Valley in Morris County and is a popular year-round hiking destination. Maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forests, this 978-acre park is bisected by the Black River, fed by Trout and Rinehart Creeks and flanked by impressive boulders. The park has several hiking trails that wind through spectacular scenery, past tranquil ponds and majestic waterfalls, and is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora, including black bears, foxes, deer, squirrels and groundhog. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and features picnic tables, charcoal grills, play areas, and modern restrooms.
12. High Point State Park
Straddling the townships of Wantage and Montague in Sussex County, High Point State Park is a 15,413-acre state park that rests 3,000 meters above sea level and is home to a rich landscape of lush valleys, rolling hills, bucolic farmland, dense forests, and beautiful Lake Marcia, which spans three counties. High Point State Park offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and picnicking. Park facilities and activities include a state-of-the-art visitor center, cross-country ski center, shelters with picnic tables, food concessions, water sports equipment rentals, and multiple hiking trails. There is also a bath house, a car launch,
13. Island Beach State Park
Island Beach State Park encompasses the former Island Beach Township on the Barnegat Peninsula, just south of Seaside Park in Ocean County. The park is New Jersey’s largest undeveloped barrier island preserve and is divided into two areas, the 659-acre North Island Beach Nature Area and the larger 1,237-acre South Nature Area. acres. The park also includes the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Area, which covers 1,600 acres and is home to a variety of aquatic landscapes such as streams, ponds, tidal marshes, and open water, as well as dunes, maritime forests, grasses, and reeds. The park offers excellent bird watching, swimming, fishing and kayaking, and other activities such as hiking trails, summer programs, canoeing, picnicking, scuba diving, sailing and surfing,
14. Kittatinny Valley State Park
Located near Andover, Kittatinny Valley State Park boasts spectacular natural scenery including pristine glacial lakes and impressive limestone outcrops. The state park is home to Aeroflex Lake and Gardner Pond, which are fed by the Pequest River and offer a number of activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and seasonal hunting, and the park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wild turkeys, beavers, white-tailed deer, muskrats, and several species of songbirds.
15. Liberty State Park
Located across from Liberty Island and Ellis Island in Upper New York Bay, Liberty State Park is a 1,212-acre park in Jersey City that opened in 1976 to coincide with the bicentennial celebrations. Surrounded by water, the park is bordered by Upper New York Bay on the south and east sides, and the Great Basin of the Morris Canal on the north side. With unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline, the park features the historic New Jersey Central Railroad Terminal, which played an essential role in New Jersey’s transportation history. The Paseo de la Libertad is a three kilometer trail that connects a pleasant picnic area with the old terminal and the interpretation center,
16. Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Long Pond Ironworks State Park features the remains of the buildings of the once industrious ironworker community that settled in the area. Located in the West Milford community of Hewitt, the park rests on the banks of the mighty Wanaque River and features several structures dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, including ovens, old stone walls, foundry house ruins,
Some of the Best Parks in New Jersey
