Best Parks & Nature in New Jersey

Many of New Jersey's state parks and forests are free to enter year-round. However, most popular parks charge a vehicle entry fee on weekends and holidays during peak season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). The fee is generally $5u2013$20 per vehicle. Hiking trails and fishing areas at most parks are accessible without paying an entry fee, even when vehicle charges apply.

New Jersey has excellent hiking throughout the state. The Appalachian Trail runs through the northwest corner for 72+ miles. Delaware Water Gap, Wharton State Forest, High Point State Park, and the Ramapo Mountains offer outstanding trail networks. Along the shore, Sandy Hook and Island Beach State Park have coastal walking trails. Even suburban counties have extensive trail systems in places like the Watchung Reservation and Ramapo Reservation.

The New Jersey Pine Barrens (also called the Pinelands) is a 1.1-million-acre expanse of coastal plain forest covering roughly 22% of New Jersey. It's a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve known for its unique sandy soil, pitch pine and scrub oak forest, crystal-clear cedar streams, and rare plant and animal species. Major access points include Wharton State Forest, Bass River State Forest, and Lebanon State Forest.

Absolutely! New Jersey uniquely combines great beaches with excellent hiking. Sandy Hook State Park has both oceanfront beaches and nature trails. The Delaware Water Gap offers dramatic river views and challenging ridge hikes. The Batsto Nature Area in the Pine Barrens offers flat, serene hiking through cedar forests. In summer, you can hike in the morning at High Point and be at the shore by afternoon.

New Jersey's parks are home to remarkable wildlife. The Pine Barrens supports the threatened Pine Barrens treefrog and rare orchids. Edwin B. Forsythe NWR is one of the Atlantic coast's premier birding destinations, with 290+ species recorded. Delaware Bay sees one of the world's largest horseshoe crab spawning events each spring. Black bears roam the forests of Northwest NJ, while white-tailed deer, foxes, and ospreys are common across the state.