From pine forests to rocky river gorges, New Jersey’s parks are as varied as they are beautiful. Looking to make the most of a day at a state park? These hikes will immerse you in the unexpected beauty of the Garden State. Here’s what to know about each park’s trails, hidden gems and nearby spots to hit up during your visit.
Location: Old Bridge, Middlesex County; and Matawan, Monmouth County
Why Go: Cheesequake State Park borders different ecosystems such as hardwood forest, pine barrens, salt marshes, and an Atlantic white cedar swamp.
The park features a nature center (along the Red/Green trail), a playground, seasonal lake swimming, and a campground.
Trail Options: Trails start from the parking lot just inside the park entrance. Walk under the large wooden trailhead arch down to the bottom of the steps.
For the Yellow Loop (1.5 miles), continue straight ahead. The trail skirts a marshy area before arriving at Hooks Creek Lake, which allows swimming in the summer. Continue past the lake and turn left onto a short path that leads to a long wooden crabbing bridge overlooking the marshes around Hooks Creek. These marshes support a variety of wildlife, making the area a destination for nature watching and birding.
Retrace the route back, optionally stopping at the playground near the beach. After the lake, follow a set of stairs up to complete the other side of the Yellow Loop.
For the Red Loop (1.3 miles) and Green Loop (3.0 miles), which are cojoined in the beginning, walk under the wooden arch and turn left at the bottom of the steps. Continue over a small bridge and up a short hill to the nature center. Stop in to check out the local habitat, wildlife, and history exhibits.
The Red and Green trails follow rolling hills and use boardwalks to navigate wet areas. These elevated wooden walkways and staircases not only protect the park’s fragile wetlands but also add a bit of adventure to the hike, offering families a fun way to explore the landscape.
After a long staircase up, both Red and Green turn to the left. Eventually, you’ll cross a park road (marked Perrine Road on the trail map) to a junction where the Red and Green routes split. For the Red Loop (1.3), turn left to complete the second half of the route. For the Green Loop (3.0), turn right at this junction. The trail continues down a hill on a large flight of wooden steps and crosses a seasonally wet area on a long boardwalk.
Follow Green as it turns right to zig-zag on a boardwalk through an Atlantic white cedar swamp that transitions into a wetland forest. Continue following Green as it meanders over rolling hills, more boardwalks, and through both hardwood forest and pine barrens.
Green follows the park road around a campground before meeting back up with Red. Soon both trails turn right to join the paved park road for the last stretch before arriving back at the parking lot.
Good to Know: Pick up a trail map at the park office. Restrooms are available at the park office, nature center, and at the campground and beach house (in season).
A parking fee is in effect from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. There’s an additional large parking lot by Hooks Creek Lake, which serves as another starting point for the Yellow Trail.
Mountain biking is permitted on the multi-use White Trail in another area of the park. In winter, sledding is allowed on the hill next to the Hooks Creek Lake parking lot.
Nearby Bonus: Just 5–10 minutes away in Matawan, Ice Cream Monster lets you build your own monster sundaes and the area offers plenty of great dining options, too. Big Ed’s BBQ serves up southern barbecue, all-you-can-eat ribs, hearty sandwiches, and cold beer in a casual setting perfect for families.
In Hazlet, challenge the family to a game at Bowlero, featuring 32 bowling lanes and an arcade. Or head to Urban Air, a high-energy adventure park where kids can bounce, climb, and soar on trampolines, climbing walls, and zip lines.
Alternate Ending Beer Co. in Aberdeen combines craft brewing with family-friendly dining in a former movie theater-turned-brewpub. Visitors can enjoy house-made beers alongside sourdough pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches.
About 10 minutes away, Keyport has a lovely waterfront overlooking the bay and the harbor. Known as the Pearl of the Bayshore because of its former oyster industry, waterfront activities include fishing and crabbing, whale-watching charters, jet skiing, and dining along the Delaware Bay.
Wharton State Forest – Batsto
Location: Hammonton; and Burlington County
Why Go: Wharton State Forest features a large network of flat, easy trails made of white “sugar sand,” often covered with pine needles. The forest is part of the 1.1 million acres of the Pine Barrens within New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve.
Originally established in the 1700s as an iron works that supplied materials for the Revolutionary War, Batsto later changed to a glassmaking center before Joseph Wharton turned it into a farm in the late 1800s.
Wharton offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors beyond hiking. Visitors can go mountain biking or horseback riding, or take to the rivers and lakes for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
After your hike, explore the historic Batsto Village and tour the mansion, sawmill, gristmill, and farm buildings dating back to this period. Stop into Batsto’s post office – one of the four oldest currently operating in the United States – to get a postcard with a hand-canceled stamp.
Trail Options: From Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest, three nested loops wind along Batsto Lake and through New Jersey’s peaceful Pine Barrens, offering options for all skill levels.
All three loop through a unique forest known for its sandy soil and tall pitch pines. Water in this region often has a distinctive tea-colored tint due to the tannins present in pine needles and cedar trees.
The Red Loop (0.8 miles) is perfect for a quick outing or one with young hikers. The Blue Loop (1.8 miles) follows along the lake a bit further and is a good option for many families. Those with hiking experience can explore more of the Pine Barrens using the White Loop (4.0 miles).
All three loops begin from the back end of the large, paved parking lot, near a picnic area and a large trail map sign.
Red is a “lollipop” loop and starts and ends on the same section of trail. With the Blue and White loops, starting to the left (hiking clockwise) will reach the lake first, while heading right will save the lake for last.
The Blue and White trails are co-joined in the beginning, so watch the markers for the split. The White Trail continues to where the lake narrows to become Batsto River.
Keep an eye out for hawks, ospreys, great blue herons, and bald eagles around Batsto Lake.
Good to Know: Batsto Visitor Center has restrooms, a trail map brochure, nature exhibits, and a gift shop. A parking fee is in effect from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. Canoe and kayak access to Batsto River is nearby.
Nearby Bonus: The Hammonton area– known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World” –features three breweries, a variety of restaurants, and several farm stands. The annual Red, White & Blueberry Festival will be held on June 29.
DiDonato Family Fun Center, also in Hammonton, is a go-to for kids of all ages, with bowling, a new arcade, a restaurant/bar and an ice cream shop on site. During holidays like Easter and Christmas, a rolling train ride takes you through decorated, themed scenes.
Located within Wharton State Forest and just 20 minutes from Batsto, Atsion Lake offers a refreshing spot to swim during the summer. The surrounding recreation area also features picnic tables, charcoal grills, and playgrounds.
Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary in Mays Landing is one of the largest animal rescues in the Northeast, providing a forever home to over 600 animals. Many roam freely and interact with visitors, making it a memorable experience for families.
Location: Long Valley, Morris County
Why Go: The centerpiece of scenic Hacklebarney State Park is the Black River, which carves its way through a hemlock-filled gorge, creating a series of stunning cascades and waterfalls.
Picturesque wooden bridges cross the water at several points throughout the park, offering excellent photo opportunities. The area is especially pretty during the fall and is very popular on peak foliage weekends. Spring brings a colorful display of wildflowers to Hacklebarney’s trails, making it a great time for families to spot blooms as they explore the park’s wooded trails.
The origin of the name “Hacklebarney” remains uncertain. Some believe it derives from the Native American word hackiboni, meaning “bonfire.” Others attribute it to a mine foreman named Barney Tracey, who was frequently heckled by his crew, or suggest it came from a landowner named Barney Hackle.
Trail Options: A mix of paved and more rugged trails winding through the park makes Hacklebarney a good choice for families who opt for a leisurely walk or who want to explore more challenging trails, depending on skill level.
The Main Trail has both a paved and gravel surface, while the Riverside Trail (marked as Red) is very rocky and root-filled, with uneven footing where it hugs the Black River. Along the gorge are large boulders shaped by the Black River as it moves through the rocky terrain.
Good to Know: Portable toilets are available in the parking lot until the new restroom building opens. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park, providing visitors with a scenic spot to enjoy lunch or a snack.
There’s a small playground for kids to take a break from the trails. For anglers, the Black River is stocked with trout and offers excellent stream fishing.
Nearby Bonus: The town of Chester (about 10 minutes away) features Alstede Farms. This very popular family attraction has a farm store, pick-your-own fruit, farm animals, and frequent pancake breakfasts. Another spot for fresh produce is Stony Hill Farms, with a 10-acre corn maze and u-pick fruits.
Along Main Street are charming shops, restaurants, an ice cream parlor, and the nostalgic Black River Candy Shoppe.
Along the Black River is the Nathan Cooper Gristmill, which is the only restored water-powered mill in New Jersey. You can tour this state and national historic property with costumed interpreters who will show you how the machines work and how the river water was used to grind grains.
Willowwood Arboretum has a bee meadow, conservatory, cottage garden, hillside pasture, a collection of lilacs and various meadows and gardens to make for a serene visit.
Hacklebarney Cider Mill, known for its famous cider donuts, baked goods, and cider hot dogs is a great spot to stop in the fall when all these goodies are in season.
Dawn McClennen is the creator of njHiking.com, a site featuring over 200 detailed hike guides across New Jersey.
Read More:
6 Unforgettable Outdoor Adventures to Take in NJ This Spring
Where to Take a Hike in NJ
Ride a Rail Bike to Cape May’s Hidden Gem—A Preserve Filled with Butterfly Murals
Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit Is a Peaceful Escape into Nature
Popular Now:
Where to Find Labubu Dolls in New Jersey
Albatross is the Luxury Mini Golf and Bowling Entertainment Complex We Didn’t Know We Needed
FIFA World Cup Fever is Hitting New Jersey and We’re Here For It
The Best Counties to Live in New Jersey
The Best Free Beaches in New Jersey
This is New Jersey’s Most Underrated Town, Travel Site Says
These 30 Towns Are the Top Places to Live in NJ, According to Niche
These NJ High Schools Send the Most Grads to Harvard, Princeton & MIT
This NJ Gem Was Just Named One of the Best New Hotels on the Planet
