Destinations
New Jersey outdoors
A compact state with big range: ridge-top Appalachian Trail views in the northwest, sandy barrier-island dunes on the shore, and the pine-and-cedar wilds of the Pine Barrens.
Top parks in New Jersey
See all 54 parks
Cape May Point State Park
A 244-acre peninsula at the southern tip of New Jersey where hawk migration, monarch butterfly passage, and some of the continent's best fall birding converge around a working 1859 lighthouse.
High Point State Park
New Jersey's highest ground at 1,803 feet, capped by a 220-foot granite obelisk honoring veterans, with 15,827 acres of Kittatinny ridgeline, cedar bogs, lake swimming, and an Appalachian Trail traverse.
Island Beach State Park
One of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the North Atlantic coast: ten miles of dune, surf, tidal marsh, and osprey colony with no development in sight.
Liberty State Park
A 1,200-acre urban park on the Jersey City waterfront with the best free, up-close views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a two-mile Liberty Walk promenade, the historic CRRNJ Terminal, and the New Jersey ferry to Liberty and Ellis islands. Day-use only.
Wharton State Forest
Encompassing over 124,000 acres, Wharton is the largest single tract in the state park system, with Pine Barrens rivers, trails, and the historic Batsto Village.
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood State Park offers year-round recreation along with historic country manors, the State Botanical Garden, and the Shepherd Lake recreation area.
Allaire State Park
Allaire State Park is known for its historic 19th-century iron-making village, the Pine Creek Railroad, and freshwater fishing along the Manasquan River.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
A panoramic view of Barnegat Bay, Island Beach, and Long Beach Island awaits at the top of the lighthouse, alongside a maritime forest trail, birdwatching, and fishing.
Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
Rocky outcrops and upland swamps characterize this isolated, undisturbed forest, which is accessible only on foot and crossed by a section of the Appalachian Trail.
Planning a New Jersey trip
New Jersey packs a surprising amount of outdoors into a small footprint. The state has no national park of its own, but a slice of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area runs along its northwestern border, and the state-park and forest system covers the rest with more than 1,000 miles of trails. The geography splits cleanly into three personalities, and you can sample all of them in a single weekend.
In the northwest highlands, High Point State Park sits at the state's tallest spot, with a 360-degree view from the monument that takes in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, plus a section of the Appalachian Trail and a swim at Lake Marcia. Nearby Wawayanda and Stokes State Forest give you ridgelines, clear lakes, and more AT mileage, so you can hike a rocky climb in the morning and swim in the afternoon. On the coast, Island Beach State Park protects 10 miles of undeveloped dunes and maritime forest, ideal for walking, swimming, and birding. In the south, the Pine Barrens (Wharton State Forest and Brendan T. Byrne State Forest) offer flat, sandy trails like the Batona through a quiet pine-and-cedar landscape unlike anywhere else in the region.
The sweet spots are spring and fall. Late April through May is best for the Pine Barrens and coastal birding, with highs climbing into the 70s F. September and October bring crisp air, fall color at High Point and Stokes, and thinning crowds, with temperatures easing from the 70s F into the 50s F by November. Summer is for the shore and lake swimming, but weekends get busy. Two packing notes drive everything here: New Jersey ranks among the highest states for Lyme disease, so deer ticks are a real concern from April through October (treated clothing, long pants tucked into socks, and a tick check after every hike), and the contrast between exposed shore sun and shaded forest means sun protection plus a light layer. Pack bug spray, sturdy trail shoes, and plenty of water.
Getting around New Jersey
Most visitors fly into Newark Liberty International (EWR), by far the largest hub and the natural gateway to the northern highlands. For the shore and the south, Atlantic City International (ACY) is a smaller option that puts you about 17 miles from the coast, and Philadelphia International (PHL) just over the state line is convenient for the Pine Barrens. Nearby New York and Philadelphia airports also work depending on which end of the state you are headed for.
A car is the practical way to link outdoor areas. The state is small, so distances are short by Western standards, but traffic on the corridors is the real variable. The northwest parks (High Point, Stokes, Wawayanda) cluster about 50-70 miles northwest of Newark, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours via I-80 and Route 23. The shore runs down the eastern edge: Island Beach State Park is about 75 miles south of Newark on the Garden State Parkway, around 1.5 hours. The Pine Barrens sit in the south-central interior, reached via the Parkway or the Atlantic City Expressway. As a benchmark, Newark to Atlantic City is about 117 miles and just under 2 hours. The Garden State Parkway is the spine for shore trips, while I-80 and Route 23 carry you to the mountains, so plan loops around one region rather than crisscrossing the state in a day.
All 4 New Jersey park guides
State park directory
Every New Jersey state park
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has camping detail, rules, and packing notes; the rest link straight to the official page. Looking for rail trails and state trails? They have their own Trail Guide.
54 parks
4 full guides · 44 with photos
Cape May Point State Park
State Park
Cape May Point is 244 acres of meadows, ponds, forests, dunes, and beach, renowned for fall bird migration, the Cape May Lighthouse, and a World War II gun battery.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
New Jersey State Park Service
Full guideHigh Point State Park
State Park
High Point, the summit of the Kittatinny Ridge at 1,803 feet, is the highest elevation in New Jersey and offers views of three states from its monument.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
New Jersey State Park Service
Full guideIsland Beach State Park
State Park
Miles of sand dunes and white sandy beaches offer habitat to maritime plants and diverse wildlife, including the state's largest osprey colony.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Paddling
New Jersey State Park Service
Full guideLiberty State Park
State Park
A green oasis in northern New Jersey, Liberty State Park is the only location in the state with ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
- Hiking
- Boating
- Paddling
- Fishing
New Jersey State Park Service
Full guideAbram S. Hewitt State Forest
State Forest
Rocky outcrops and upland swamps characterize this isolated, undisturbed forest, which is accessible only on foot and crossed by a section of the Appalachian Trail.
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageAllaire State Park
State Park
Allaire State Park is known for its historic 19th-century iron-making village, the Pine Creek Railroad, and freshwater fishing along the Manasquan River.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageAllamuchy Mountain State Park
State Park
The Musconetcong River, with some of the best trout fishing in the state, winds through this park of forests and marshlands laced with hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Boating
- Paddling
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageBarnegat Lighthouse State Park
State Park
A panoramic view of Barnegat Bay, Island Beach, and Long Beach Island awaits at the top of the lighthouse, alongside a maritime forest trail, birdwatching, and fishing.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageBass River State Forest
State Forest
Bass River is New Jersey's first state forest, established in 1905 within the Pinelands National Reserve, with over 12 miles of marked trails and Lake Absegami.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageBelleplain State Forest
State Forest
This forest offers hiking and nature trails, softball fields, and swimming at Lake Nummy, with over forty miles of trails through the greatest variety of habitats in New Jersey.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageBrendan T. Byrne State Forest
State Forest
The second largest state forest, in the Pine Barrens, offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, birding, fishing, and the historic blueberry village of Whitesbog.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Hiking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageCheesequake State Park
State Park
Cheesequake sits in a transitional zone where northern hardwood forest meets southern pine barrens, offering open fields, marshes, and a white cedar swamp.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageCorson's Inlet State Park
State Park
Established in 1969, Corson's Inlet preserves one of the last undeveloped tracts along the state's oceanfront, with sand dunes, marine estuaries, and upland areas.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Beach
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageD&R Canal State Park
State Park
A linear park along the historic Delaware and Raritan Canal, offering more than 70 miles of flat, continuous path for cyclists, runners, hikers, and paddlers.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Boating
- Paddling
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageDouble Trouble State Park
State Park
Centered on the Pine Barrens ghost town of Double Trouble Village, the park offers Cedar Creek paddling and marked trails through pine forests and cedar swamps.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Paddling
- Fishing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageFarny State Park
State Park
This forested wilderness connects watershed lands and is crossed by an old logging road, with streams, mixed oak hardwood forest, and swamps.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageFort Mott State Park
State Park
Fort Mott was built in the late 1890s as part of a coastal defense system for the Delaware River, with gun batteries, a museum, and shoreline for walking and picnicking.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Playground
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageHacklebarney State Park
State Park
The freshwater Black River cuts through rocky Hacklebarney, cascading around boulders in a hemlock-lined ravine that draws anglers and hikers.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Winter Sports
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageHopatcong State Park
State Park
Lake Hopatcong is the largest lake in New Jersey, and the park offers swimming, fishing, a large picnic area, boat launch access, and sports courts.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Fishing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageJenny Jump State Forest
State Forest
Located along the Jenny Jump Mountain Range, the forest offers panoramic vistas of the Highlands, Kittatinny Mountains, and the Great Meadows.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageKittatinny Valley State Park
State Park
Glacial lakes, former railroads, and a small airport are prominent features of this scenic park, home to Lake Aeroflex, the deepest natural lake in New Jersey.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageLong Pond Ironworks State Park
State Park
This Passaic County park offers hiking, mountain biking, boating, hunting, fishing, and a historic district with the remnants of an ironworking community.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Boating
- Paddling
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageMonmouth Battlefield State Park
State Park
This park preserves the site of one of the longest battles of the American Revolution, fought on June 28, 1778, across hills, wood lots, and farm fields.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
New Jersey State Park Service
Official pageNorvin Green State Forest
State Forest
Part of the Wyanokie Wilderness Area, this undisturbed forest of rugged terrain offers an extensive trail system with scenic vistas and is accessible by foot only.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
New Jersey State Park Service
Official page
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Photos are public-domain or Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons, credited per image. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links before committing to dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best national park in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not have a national park of its own, but it shares the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along its northwestern border with Pennsylvania. It is the closest thing the state has to a national park experience, with the Appalachian Trail, the state's highest waterfall, and quiet glacial ponds like Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond. For most outdoor trips, the state-park system (High Point, Island Beach, Wawayanda) carries the load.
When is the best time to visit New Jersey state parks?
Spring (late April through May) and fall (September through October) are the best windows. Spring suits the Pine Barrens and coastal birding with highs in the 70s F, while fall brings crisp air, foliage at High Point and Stokes, and fewer crowds as temperatures cool from the 70s F into the 50s F. Summer is great for the shore and lake swimming but busiest on weekends, and ticks are active April through October regardless of season.
Do I need to worry about ticks hiking in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey consistently ranks among the highest states in the country for Lyme disease, and deer ticks are common in wooded and grassy areas, especially in the Pine Barrens, from April through October. Wear long pants tucked into socks, treat clothing or use repellent, stay on cleared trails, and do a thorough tick check after every hike. It should not stop you from going, just from going unprepared.
Can you do mountains and the beach in the same trip in New Jersey?
Easily. The state is compact, so you can hike the ridgelines and Appalachian Trail sections at High Point or Wawayanda in the northwest and reach the dunes of Island Beach State Park on the shore within roughly two hours of driving. The Garden State Parkway connects the shore corridor, while I-80 and Route 23 serve the mountains, making a mountains-and-beach weekend very doable.