Nature Walks

A nature walk offers participants a chance to learn about their surroundings while focusing on a specific theme. These walks are taken at a leisurely pace allowing plenty of time to absorb new information. Walks will not exceed three miles. Please read walk descriptions for specific information. Return times are approximate.

 

Sunset Walks at Jakes Branch
If you’ve been hiding indoors from the hot summer heat, you’re not alone. Many
forest creatures of the Pinelands hide from the hot summer sun and are most active
at dawn and dusk. Come out to stretch your legs and enjoy some cool evening
breezes as we stroll through the woods and enjoy the sunset. The Nature Center
observation tower will be open for viewing.
PICK-UP: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Saturday, September 18 ............. 235536-1C
TIME: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: All
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

 

Jakes Branch, Past and Present Nature Walk
Can certain species of trees growing in certain places give us clues to the
past? Join us on this interesting and informative walk.
LOCATION: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Sunday, December 5 ............. 315536-1A
TIME: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: All
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

Autumn Tree ID Nature Walk
Join us as we explore the forest and have a naturalist explain the ways to tell
the difference between trees you will find in the Pine Barrens.
LOCATION: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Thursday, October 28 .............. 314536-2A
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: All
MINIMUM: 8 MAXIMUM: 20

Fall Color Walk at Sunset
Come enjoy the shades of autumn. Changing foliage and grasses frame the
scene for a crisp autumn sunset. We’ll sip warm cider and enjoy the view from
our observation deck after a walk through the pines.
LOCATION: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Saturday, October 30 ............ 315536-1B
TIME: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: All
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

Sunday Bird Saunter at Jakes Branch
Join us for this guided stroll through the park as we welcome our winter bird
population back.
LOCATION: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Sunday, November 7 ............. 315536-1C
TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: All
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

Shoreline Discovery Nature Walk
Long Beach Island is more than just a sunbather’s dream. Few realize its natural
significance and importance to our lives. Join a naturalist for an in-depth
look at this area in the off-season.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Saturday, October 16 ............... 314536-2B
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 8 MAXIMUM: 12

Cattus Island Full Moon Walk
Explore our newest trail along Silver Bay under the moonlit sky! We will walk between 2
and 3 miles.
LOCATION: Parking Lot, Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
DATE: Friday, October 22 ............... 312536-3A
TIME: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person RATING: Flat, easy
AGE: 10 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

 

Historic Walking Tours

 

Holiday Jaunt and Mansion Tour* at H.B. Smith Park - 3 miles
Traveling to Burlington County
Thanks to Hezekiah B. Smith, Smithville, in its day, was considered the quintessential
industrial town, known for its high-quality woodworking machinery as
well as its concern for the well-being of its work force. During our visit, we will
tour Smith’s impressive Greek Revival mansion.
*Please have an additional $6.00 for guided mansion tour
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Saturday, December 11 ............. 314536-2C
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. RATING: Flat, easy
FEE: $8.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Monmouth Battlefield Walking Tour - 3 miles
Traveling to Monmouth County
One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place here on June
28, 1778. Although tactically a draw, it was a strategic victory and a political
triumph for the Continental Army and General Washington. The park preserves
a rural 18th century landscape of orchards, fields, woods and wetlands. Join us
as we retrace some highlights of that famous battle. If time permits we will stop
at other historic sites before returning home. Pack a lunch, dress for the
weather and be prepared for walking on uneven ground.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Thursday, October 7 ............ 314536-2D
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RATING: Flat, easy
FEE: $8.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

 

 

Hiking Programs

Attention Hikers...
Our naturalists cover the diverse terrain of New Jersey through our hiking programs. The day hikes can range from 5 to 15 miles. Jaunts are 2-4 miles and last 2-3 hours. Pack your lunch and dress for the weather. Trail descriptions follow each departure time. Please read them carefully to determine the best program for you.

Henry Hudson Rail Trail, Southern Extension - 4.5 miles
Traveling to Monmouth County
We will be walking the Monmouth County Agricultural Railroad (MCARR) railroad
line that was built in the 1870s.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Saturday, October 23 ............ 314236-1A
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RATING: Flat, easy
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Baldpate Mountain Hike - 5 miles
Traveling to Mercer County
Our hike will take us through Mercer County’s 1,800-acre Ted Stiles Preserve,
located along the Delaware River, where we will climb to the summit of Baldpate
Mountain at a height of 1,165 feet.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Sunday, October 24 .............. 314236-1B
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RATING: Steep, rocky, may be slippery
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Tindey Trail / Double Trouble State Park Hike
This hike will take us through Jakes Branch Park and onto neighboring Double
Trouble State Park property.
LOCATION: Nature Center, Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
DATE: Saturday, November 6 ............ 315236-2A
TIME: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. RATING: Flat, easy
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 10 MAXIMUM: 20

Coppermines Trail Hike - 7.5 miles
Traveling to Warren County
This somewhat strenuous trail in the Kittatinny Mountain range will take us past
numerous mining shafts and tunnels, remnants of the copper mining conducted
in this area from the mid - 1700s to early 1900s.
PICK-UP: Beach Complex Parking Lot, Ocean County Park, Lakewood
DATE: Sunday, November 7 ............ 314236-1C
TIME: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RATING: Steep, rocky, may be slippery
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Franklin Parker Preserve Hike - 7 miles
Traveling to Burlington County
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased 9,400 acres of a Pinelands
cranberry farm in 2003. Much of the area has been returned to wetlands, including
miles of trails on dikes.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Wednesday, November 10 ............ 314236-1D
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. RATING: Steep, rocky, may be slippery
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Black River Hike - 6 miles
Traveling to Morris County
The trail passes through Hacklebarney State Park, where, in addition to the
flora and fauna found along the river, we will pass the Copper Mill, built in 1826,
as well as the remains of an old iron mine.
PICK-UP: Beach Complex Parking Lot, Ocean County Park, Lakewood
DATE: Sunday, November 14 ............ 314236-3A
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. RATING: Hilly, rocky, some wet areas
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Apshawa Preserve Hike - 4.5 miles
Traveling to Passaic County
This hike in New Jersey’s Highlands Region, will take us through the mixed
hardwood forest of the 512 acre Apshawa Preserve, which includes the 43-
acre Butler Reservoir.
PICK-UP: Beach Complex Parking Lot, Ocean County Park, Lakewood
DATE: Saturday, November 20 ............ 314236-3B
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RATING: Steep, rocky, may be slippery
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Webb’s Mills Jaunt - 3.5 miles
Traveling to Ocean County
Our hike will take us through the 16,333 acre Greenwood Wildlife Management
and the forest that now covers the former site of Zebulon Webb’s 1774 sawmill.
Today the area is known for its abundance of rare orchids and carnivorous
plants.
PICK-UP: Parking Lot, Wells Mills County Park, Waretown
DATE: Sunday, November 21 ................. 314236-3C
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. RATING: Flat, some sugar sand
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Cheesequake State Park Jaunt - 3.5 miles
Traveling to Middlesex County
This 1,569-acre State Park consists of two divergent ecosystems: coastal salt
marsh and upland forest, transitioning from saltwater and freshwater marshes
and a white cedar swamp to a northeastern hardwood forest.
PICK-UP: Beach Complex Parking Lot, Ocean County Park, Lakewood
DATE: Friday, December 3 ................ 314236-3D
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. RATING: Hilly
FEE: $10.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

Chickahoki Falls Hike - 4.5 miles
Traveling to Passaic County
The trail, located in Norvin Green State Forest, will take us along Post Brook,
past Otter Hole, a 15-foot double cascade, to Chickahoki Falls, where the brook
takes a 25-foot fall.
PICK-UP: Beach Complex Parking Lot, Ocean County Park, Lakewood
DATE: Sunday, December 19 ............... 314236-4A
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
FEE: $10.00 per person RATING: Strenuous, steep, rocky, may be slippery
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

 

Full Moon Jaunts

Join us as we re-visit this popular activity of moonlight hiking. When the full moon
shines on the white sands of the Jersey Pine Barrens, no flashlights are needed!
Full Moon Hike at Double Trouble - 3-4 miles Come walk the cranberry bogs, trails, and roads of historic Double Trouble State Park in Berkeley Township by night.

LOCATION: Parking Lot, Double Trouble State Park, Berkeley Township
DATE: Friday, November 19 ............. 314236-5A
TIME: 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
FEE: $6.00 per person
AGE: 9 years - Adult
MINIMUM: 9 MAXIMUM: 12

 

 

 

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