Where can you go for hiking, biking, history and outdoors-ing too? New Jersey’s 58+ national and state parks, of course! Enjoy thousands of acres of beautiful parks, forests and recreation areas all year long in regions throughout the Garden State. And be sure to check out the Jersey State Parks Passport to earn points that can be redeemed for essential adventure-ready gear too. It’s easy to use, mobile-exclusive and totally free to sign up.
Hiking to History
The New Jersey State Park Service operates 49 state parks and forests, six marinas and dozens of historic sites that offer a wide variety of outdoor activities. Many of these state parks are also included in the Jersey State Parks Passport, such as High Point State Park in the Skylands Region of the state down to Cape May Point State Park, nestled along New Jersey’s Southern Shore Region.
Discover other exciting state parks like Corson’s Inlet State Park, a well-known angler’s paradise. Or visit Monmouth Battlefield State Park, the site of one of the largest battles of the American Revolutionary War. Stokes State Forest is another Jersey gem, home to clear freshwater streams and sweeping views from Sunrise Mountain. If you love to kayak or canoe, Wawayanda State Park is the place to be. And don’t miss the chance to explore the 1.1-million-acre Pinelands National Reserve, an ideal place to camp, fish, cycle and go birdwatching.
Waterfalls to Walking Tours
The National Park Service recognizes a number of sites in New Jersey, including scenic trails, rivers, reserved land and four parks: Morristown National Historical Park, Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.
The Morristown National Historical Park (Skylands Region) commemorates the site of General George Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment during the Revolutionary War. During their stay, the soldiers survived what would be the coldest winter on record. The park brings history to life through sites including a museum, Ford Mansion (Washington’s headquarters), Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow and The New Jersey Brigade and Cross Estate Gardens. It also boasts around 27 miles of hiking trails to explore, sprinkled with interpretive sites.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Skylands Region) encompasses over 70,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery along 40 miles of the Delaware River, which winds through the Appalachian Mountains. The park features breathtaking waterfalls and over 150 miles of hiking trails, as well as some of the best places to canoe, kayak, camp, boat, bike and fish.
The Sandy Hook Unit National Recreation Area (Shore Region) is a picturesque, 2,044-acre barrier beach peninsula where visitors can enjoy swimming, hiking, guided walking tours, biking and relaxing along the park's miles of beaches. The area features the largest holly forest in the Northeastern United States as well as historical landmarks, including the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (Shore Region) is home to one of the largest waterfalls in the Eastern United States. The Falls are a “must-see” for visitors in Paterson, a historic district considered to be America’s first planned industrial city. The Falls are an impressive 77 feet high and 260 feet wide, with more than 2 billion gallons of rushing water daily. In 1976, the area was designated as a National Historic Landmark and later designated as a National Historical Park in 2009.
Some of the best fresh-air adventures await in regions up and down the state! Discover more ways to explore New Jersey’s fascinating parks, forests and nature with a free travel guide or sign up for our e-newsletter. Check out our Jersey State Parks Passport too. And as always, be sure to check the websites and social media pages of parks before you go to ensure you have all the need-to-know info.
