New Jersey is, at the same time, a New York-adjacent urban sprawl and a sprawling nature-filled wonderland. Both of those identities are preserved and blurred by state parks, of which New Jersey has dozens and from which we have chosen eight of the best. "Best" is subjective, of course, but we feel that our picks encompass the scenic and recreational diversity of the state.
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood State Park blends natural and manmade architecture like few places in New Jersey. Matching the grandeur of its Ramapo Mountains and surrounding forests are multiple historic manors. Skylands Manor is a 44-room Jacobean-style structure built in the 1920s out of native stone and timber, while Ringwood Manor is a 51-room mansion that was built circa 1807 to house masters of Ramapos-extracted iron. Both can be toured at certain times. Other sights to see in this picturesque preserve are the New Jersey Botanical Garden, which further beautifies Skylands Manor with 96 acres of pretty plants that can be admired year-round, and Shepherd Lake, which spans 74 acres and offers fishing, paddling, and boating (electric motors only).
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
As you can tell from its name, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park's main attraction is a lighthouse. But it is not just any lighthouse. The Barnegat Lighthouse started shining in 1859 and became one of the most important beacons for North Atlantic sailors. "Old Barney" was decommissioned in 1927, but thanks to the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, it was relit in 2009 on the 150th anniversary of its first illumination.
In addition to this resurrected sentinel, which you can climb for a panoramic view of NJ's coast, the park has an interpretive center, picnic tables, fishing access, and a 0.2-mile Maritime Forest Trail through a unique coastal ecosystem. You can see black cherry, American holly, and migratory birds going to and from their breeding sites.
High Point State Park
Another aptly named preserve, High Point State Park contains the highest natural point in New Jersey. Even apter is the name of that point, High Point, which sits about 1,800 feet in the Kittatinny Mountains and is commemorated with the 220-foot High Point Monument. Park guests can hike to the summit and climb the monument, which provides unmatched views of NJ, as well as swim in Lake Marcia and camp at one of numerous sites and cabins. High Point State Park also preserves roughly 18 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Although you can bike, horseback ride, cross-country ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, and even dog sled on other High Point trails, the Appalachian is strictly for hiking.
Liberty State Park
After seeing NJ's highest natural point in High Point State Park, you can see America's highest manmade points in Liberty State Park. Unlike most other state parks, Liberty is an unabashed celebration of human ingenuity, comprising views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, with breathtaking Hudson River vistas to boot. Much of the park winds along the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal and a two-mile promenade called Liberty Walk. Moreover, it is the only place in New Jersey with ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, so guests can get up close and personal with major manmade marvels. It should come as no surprise, then, that more humans visit Liberty than any other NJ state park.
Parvin State Park
What is a trip to rustic New Jersey without a plunge into its Pine Barrens? This expansive and iconic pine forest is partly preserved by Parvin State Park and is said to house the Jersey Devil. That is just legend, of course. The real creatures you could see in Parvin are birds, rodents, deer, small reptiles, the odd bear, and other intrepid humans. Campsites and cabins accommodate adventurers between jaunts in the woods, as do three refreshing lakes. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and electric boating are all allowed in the park.
Hacklebarney State Park
Hacklebarney is as scenic as its name is funny. While the origin of "Hacklebarney" is unknown, the origin of its beauty is crystal clear . . . water that rushes through hemlock woods, smoothing boulders and spritzing onlookers on its descent from a glacial gorge carved many millennia ago. This wet wonder provides not only sightseeing and power washing but fishing, birding, and even hunting—as long as it is confined to a 628-acre area across from the river. Rimming the rapids are nine hiking trails totaling five miles. Since camping is not permitted, Hacklebarney is a day tripper's paradise.
Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point State Park is another preserve for a historic lighthouse. The Cape May Lighthouse was built in 1859, the same year that the Barnegat Lighthouse was commissioned, and still shines (both literally and figuratively) as the centerpiece of the park. After climbing 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse and overseeing the Cape May Peninsula, come down to earth for views of Battery 223, a gun emplacement that dates to the park's period as a military base. Naturally, Cape May Point also has natural attractions like idyllic beaches and vibrant wildlife. These can be admired while traveling along designated trails, including a half-mile route that is wheelchair accessible.
Island Beach State Park
Island Beach State Park is the rustic counterpart to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. It is located right across the Barnegat Inlet from its lit neighbor and preserves "one of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast." The park's 3,000-plus acres and 10 miles of coastline contain undeveloped beaches, rolling sand dunes, maritime forests, tidal marshes, and hundreds of species of plants and animals. Wildlife viewing is a big draw for tourists, as are hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, crabbing, hunting, swimming, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. With a permit, you can even take a 4x4 or AWD vehicle onto the beach for sport fishing.
Ideal New Jersey Destinations for a 3-Day WeekendWith its refreshing beaches, endearing shops, and friendly people, you'll feel relaxed and ready to return to the grind in no time.
New Jersey has dozens of state parks that preserve nature, history, and culture, as well as offer numerous activities. To see and do all those things that make the state great, visit one or more of these eight fabulous destinations in the state and collect lots of memories to cherish for long. They are, to us, the best of an amazing bunch.
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Shane Fraser August 1 2024 in Places
