 at Nature Conservancy preserves across New Jersey.){kind=link}
In addition to providing much-needed habitat for wildlife, The Nature Conservancy’s preserves in New Jersey are wonderful destinations for people. We believe that connecting to and exploring nature is as important as protecting it. Whether you like wandering in pristine forests, watching freshwater marsh birds or conquering mountains for a scenic vista, our preserves have offerings you will enjoy.
Here are 10 ways for your family to connect with nature (and each other!) at Nature Conservancy preserves across New Jersey.
1. Take a Selfie at the High Mountain Summit
Challenge the whole family with a spirited mile-and-a-half hike to the summit of High Mountain Park Preserve. Once at the top, you’ll be standing 800 feet above sea level with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Snap a family selfie and you’ve got the perfect holiday card photo! Pack a picnic, let the kids explore and enjoy a well-earned lunch at the summit.
2. Walk to Waterfalls
Experience the cool, calming waterfalls along the trails of High Mountain Park Preserve, the perfect family outing for a hot summer’s day. Fun fact: Indigenous peoples relied on what is now called Buttermilk Falls at the preserve as a vital, year-round supply of fresh water. Visit the falls to appreciate their natural history and relax to the sounds of rippling water with your little ones.
3. Mountain Bike Along the Maurice River
Pedal your way through an exhilarating six-mile mountain bike trail in an enchanting natural setting. The mountain bike trail on Maurice River Bluffs Preserve in Cumberland County is one of the few trails in southern New Jersey that offers elevation change for great views and a workout, too. Designed following International Mountain Biking Association standards, the trail has options for beginner and experienced riders alike. Keep an eye out for local wildlife: your family might cross paths with white-tailed deer, migratory birds or even a red fox!
Watch an aerial video of a family biking the trail below!
4. Be a Butterfly at the Garret Family Preserve
Celebrate nature and be a part of our colorful kaleidoscope (that’s what a group of butterflies is called!) by taking a photo with our interactive monarch butterfly sculpture, “Dream Machine Monarch.” The statue was installed at the Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek the very same week monarch butterflies were added to the endangered species list and helped raise awareness of their conservation needs. Visit the preserve, let your kiddos spread their wings along the flat walking trails through pollinator fields and commemorate the visit with a snapshot of their butterfly transformation with the statue!
5. Paint your way through Nature
Bring your budding artists (and their art supplies) to the Garrett Family Preserve, for a special opportunity to connect with nature through art. There are three fully adjustable art easels that overlook wildflower meadows and saltwater tidal marshes. Your little Monet will be fully immersed in the natural wonders of this preserve: birds filling the skies, pollinators buzzing through the wildflowers, the ever-changing tides of the saltwater marshes and so much more. The preserve also has a shaded pavilion with picnic tables, perfect for a family lunch date surrounded by nature.
6. Birding for Beginners
The South Cape May Meadows Preserve is a globally renowned haven for native and migrating birds. With more than 340 species recorded here, it’s the perfect place to take up birding as a family! Observation platforms, viewfinders and an 80-foot floating bird blind allow visitors to get up close and personal with nature, and a digital kiosk at the preserve’s entrance offers a suite of bird calls and photos to reference. The trail system lets birders explore many different habitats and the one mile of protected, undeveloped beach offers gorgeous views of the famous Cape May Lighthouse.
7. Walk Through Wildflowers
Walking through wildflower meadows is nothing short of magical. Plan a summer day trip to Cape May and stroll through the one-mile loop at our South Cape May Meadows Preserve to be surrounded by hundreds of swamp rose mallow blooms in July. During late August into early October, the meadows at our Garrett Family Preserve boast thousands of goldenrod flowers. The heart of the butterfly trail brings you through the heart of the wildflower meadows, stunning backdrops for candids with the kids!
8. Practice Your Tree ID
Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve’s unique ecology allows for an unusually high number of tree species to flourish, like iconic red maples, ornamental American beech, hardy pitch pines and aromatic sassafras. During winter, American holly trees show off their vibrant red berries. For a collaborative and educational family activity, download and print our Lizard Tail Swamp Tree Checklist and see how many species you can spot.
9. Hike into History
Step back in time at Johnsonburg Swamp Preserve. The site’s unique limestone forest offers sweeping elevated views of a shimmering glacial pond formed millions of years ago, and contains historical kilns dating back to the 19th century that were used to manufacture lime for farm fields or making plasters. These early kilns, small and built into hillsides, are a rarity in New Jersey, but can still be found within this preserve, and serve as visual reminders of New Jersey’s industrial and architectural growth. Plan a family adventure and scavenger hunt to find the pond and two kilns on the preserve.
10. Experience Fall Foliage
Each Autumn, New Jersey transforms into a spectacular landscape of red, yellow and orange. Enjoy the crisp fall weather and take your family on a leaf peeping expedition. In northern New Jersey, the dense forests of High Mountain Park Preserve and Johnsonburg Swamp Preserve offer excellent opportunities to view the changing of the seasons. Further south, the Maurice River Bluffs is another autumn must-see. Not sure when to go? We love the Peak Fall Foliage Map that the New Jersey Forest Service releases each year.
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