Where to Backpack in New Jersey

Visitors are often surprised to discover that New Jersey contains more than just congested urban areas. In fact, New Jersey boasts a varied landscape with valleys, ridges, marshes, plains, and beaches that make this state a great place to hike and camp. Here’s a list of four good places in New Jersey to backpack this summer.

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, Princeton

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail runs for 70 miles. If you’re short on time, simply enjoy the 17-mile Belvidere and Delaware Railroad towpath, or the shorter three-mile section from Bull’s Island to Prallsville Mill. Much of the flat, straight, gravel towpath lies between the river and the canal through a mix of woodlands and meadows. Farther along, the trail is trimmed by honeysuckle vines until the stone Stockton Formation and a picturesque bridge and mill come into view.

Parvin State Park, Pittgrove

The State Park in Pittsgrove boasts over 2,000 acres of mixed pine and hardwood forests, more than 200 flowering plant types, two lakes, several campgrounds, and 15 miles of trails. An easy to moderate five-mile hike with flat terrain starts outside the park office. You’ll cross a small stone bridge over a babbling brook and a series of plank bridges, before reaching an area known as Second Landing. From here, the green-marked path enters the forever wild area. Expect muddy ground as you proceed over two wooden bridges and more plank bridges through marshland and forest, by the waters of Muddy Run and Thundergust Brook. Here, rental cabins are available with toilets, showers, and electricity.

Wharton State Forest, Batso Village

Backpacking in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens can be a new experience for those used to mountainous areas. A short 3.5-mile yellow and orange trail from Batso Village, is a good place to experience the soft sand paths, tall trees, and stunted pines of the region. The moderate trail has a low rise and takes about four or five hours to travel. Hikers cross Mullica River over three wooden bridges and follow the banks of the refreshing waterway through a forest of trees identified by name on placards. You’ll encounter sandy stretches and an overlook of the river leading to the Mullica River Wilderness campsite, a primitive campground in the forest with a pit toilet and water pump. If you would like to hike a little farther, the trail extends well beyond the tent sites to Atsion Village.

Batona Trail, Woodland Township

The 50-mile-long Batona Trail, the Pine Barren’s best-known trail, begins its long route at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. Identified by pink paint blazes, the trail runs parallel to New Jersey Route 72 through an oak and pine forest, and crosses several sand roads. Hikers go through stands of pitch pine, scrub oak, blueberry bushes, and pink and white mountain laurel before heading into the Cedar Swamp Natural Area and Pakim Pond. After you pass several campgrounds and backcountry sites along the way, the trail ends in the Bass River State Forest. The Batona Trail is fairly easy and offers a great place to spot deer, waterfowl and raptors. Bring buy spray to repel mosquitoes. Dress properly to ward off ticks.

References

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park

NY NJ Trail Conference: Batona Trail

New Jersey Department of Parks and Forestry: Parvin State Park

State of New Jersey: Wharton State Forest

Photo Credit

Kathy Rusch