Enjoy Your First Day of 2020 Hiking in One of New Jersey’s State Parks!

December 29, 2019 newjerseyisntboring

Start your new year off right by experiencing adventure in one of New Jersey’s State Parks! The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 20 guided hikes, 2 mountain bike rides, 1 horseback ride, and 1 lighthouse climb in state parks, forests and historic sites on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program.

These free First Day Hikes offer a great incentive to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family in one of your state parks. Below is a list of events going on January 1st, 2020 in New Jersey!

ATLANTIC COUNTY:

Wharton State Forest – Batsto Village
11AM – 1:30PM
Come out and join us for a brisk cross-country 10 mile mountain bike ride through the Pinelands of Wharton State Forest. Bring your own bike – one that is good for dirt, sandy trails. Bring and wear a bicycle helmet, eye protection, weather-appropriate clothing for bicycle riding, bring water, snacks (and lunch if you plan to picnic at Batsto). Be ready to pedal up some short hills! Registration is REQUIRED. To register and/or for more information call 609-567-4559 to register.

AND

10:30AM – 12PM
Start your new year with a family 1.5 mile history walk through Batsto Village.
Batsto Village Parking Lot, 31 Batsto Rd. off of Hwy. Rt. 542

BURLINGTON COUNTY:

NJCF Michael Huber Preserve
10AM
An enjoyable start to the new year begins with an introduction to the NJCF Michael Huber Preserve on Sooy Place Rd for a 2-mile hike through a variety of habitats. A good chance to see some winter birding and tree identification along the floodplain of the Burrs Mill Brook. Follow that with a short 5+ mile drive to Pakim Pond Picnic Pavilion where you may finish your morning with a group lunch and a chance to relax…..AND/OR add a second short hike to your day with a stroll around the pond, camera in hand to document the birds, plants and beautiful scenery that you will witness at this location. Hike appropriate for ages 10 and up, children must be accompanied by an adult. Well behaved, leashed dogs are also welcome. Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy with the group. Restrooms available at Pakim Pond Site. Registration is required by contacting Terry Schmidt @ 609-412-3394
NJCF Michael Huber Preserve, Sooy Place Road, across from Johnson Place Road, Woodland Township, NJ

Rancocas State Park
11AM
Join Burlington County Park Rangers on the first hike of 2020. Our first day hike will be held at the beautiful Rancocas State Park in Hainesport. Hike will consist of two routes to choose from: one equaling 3 miles and one 2 miles long. The trail material consists of a sandy woodland road turning into tighter mossy, rooted, and sandy conditions with slight elevation changes.
Westampton main entrance, Rancocas Rd, Westampton, NJ

Wharton State Forest – Atsion Recreation Area
10AM – 2:30PM
Start the New Year right! Get into the outdoors. Join the Outdoor Club of South Jersey on their 6 mile hike into our beautiful Pine Barrens.
744 US-206, Shamong, NJ

Whitesbog Historic Village
12PM – 2PM
Join Pinelands Institute staff and local Americorps Watershed Ambassador for a First Day Trash Hike!Hike through Historic Whitesbog Village and out into the bogs as you explore the Pine Barrens environment! Along the way we will pick up any trash we see littered along the side of the trails. Help us keep Whitesbog beautiful while also working off those holiday calories! All ages are welcome, children under 16 must be accompanied by and adult. BYOG (bring your own gloves) snacks and water. Extra gloves and trash bags will be provided. Registration is required by visiting facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1876164489196762/ , or email Jess at PinelandsInstitute@gmail.com. For cancellation information please check facebook event page for up to date information. Official call will be made by 10AM on 1/1
Whitesbog Historic Village, 799 Lakehurst Road, Browns Mills NJ

CAPE MAY COUNTY:

Belleplain State Forest
10AM – 1PM Hike
Join for a 3.5 mile hike on the East Creek Trail. The hike will cover half the distance of the trail. Please dress for the weather and bring water. Dogs are welcome!
1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ

HUDSON COUNTY:

Liberty State Park
10AM – 12PM
Please join on a 3-mile, leisurely hike to Caven Point Beach. Come explore the manmade and natural shoreline of the Upper NY Bay, with unique views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Skyline. You’ll also explore the unique features of Caven Point Beach. Check in will be at the Park Office located at 200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. Free parking is available. All ages are welcome as are dogs on 6 ft leashes with responsible adults. Registration is required, please email with your name, contact information (email and phone) and number of people in your party to LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City, NJ

HUNTERDON COUNTY:

Round Valley Recreation Area
10AM – 12PM
A 3-mile hike at either Cushetunk or Water Trail and look for signs of new life as the year begins. Children with adult’s welcome, service animals only. Bring along water, snacks and binoculars. Wear comfortable & sturdy footwear as terrain is all natural and not paved. Registration is REQUIRED. To register and/or for more information: Call park office (908)236-6355
Round Valley Recreation Area South Lot, 1220 Stanton Lebanon Rd, Lebanon, NJ

Spruce Run Recreation Area
8:30AM
A 15.2 mile hike that will take us along the Highlands Trail at Spruce Run, starting a little further along the reservoir, then following the Spruce Run through state owned lands. There are informal paths that connect the Union Furnace Nature Preserve to the Honachefsky Tract. From there, a walk and history talk through Glen Gardner, and then the new trail system recently installed along the Spruce Run in Lebanon Township. This hike is only intended for children ages 10 and up who can hike 15 miles in the winter and are accompanied by parents/guardians are welcome. Dogs on a leash are welcome. All participants need to be aware of the duration of the hike and prepare accordingly. Bring water, snacks and lunch, we may pass one small store on our way. One restrooms available early on the hike.
Phillipsburg Public Boat Ramp (Behind Jimmy’s Hot Dog Stand), accessible from Northampton Street before the free bridge, Phillipsburg NJ

MERCER COUNTY:

D&R Canal / Mapleton Preserve
12PM – 2PM
Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands invites everyone to a First Day Hike in the Mapleton Preserve on Monday, January 1, 2020, at noon. Exercise your New Year’s resolution to walk more, or make new friends on this easy 1.5 mile loop hike through the Mapleton Preserve. We know you will want to sleep in a little, so the walk will not start until noon. It will begin and end at the Mapleton Preserve/D&R Canal State Park Headquarters at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. Join us for cocoa afterwards. Dress for the weather, whatever it is. The walk is free and all are welcome. For more information, visit www.fpnl.org.
145 Mapleton Road, Princeton, NJ

Washington Crossing State Park / Johnson Ferry House
10AM – 12PM
A guided walk of the route taken by the “stuff” of the Continental Army on Christmas Night, 1776 across the Delaware River into New Jersey. Sights and stops include the Washington Crossing Bridge, the Nelson House, the Ferry Boat replica, the pedestrian bridge, overlook, the Stone Barn, and the Johnson Ferry House. Interpretive Tour/Easy to Moderate at 1.2 miles. Children of 10 years and older with responsible adult are welcome. Bring cameras, binoculars, note pad, water and snack if desired. Service dogs and calm, well trained dogs on a leash welcome. Registration is REQUIRED. To register and/or for more information, call 609-737-2515.
Meeting Location: Begin at McKonkey’s Ferry Tavern in Washington Crossing Historic Park, PA (Hike will end at Washington Crossing State Park, NJ)
Meet at The McConkey Ferry Inn on the corner of Rte. 532 and Rte. 32, Washington Crossing, PA 18977. There is some parking available on Rte. 532 just after the Inn and in other public lots nearby (within a block of the site). Coming from New Jersey, the Inn is immediately after the bridge on the right.

MONMOUTH COUNTY:

Cheesequake State Park
1PM – 3PM
Join Cheesequake State Park for a guided 2 mile hike to celebrate the New Year. Dogs on leashes are welcome!
300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ

Monmouth Battlefield State Park
11AM – 1PM
Walk the ground where Molly Pitcher fought at Monmouth! Meet Dr. David Martin, President of the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, at the Visitor Center for an overview of the Battle of Monmouth, then drive approx. 2 miles (in your own vehicle) to the northern section of the Park, and walk along the American lines to the position of Proctor’s Artillery and other sites associated with Molly Pitcher. Finish with a visit to the likely site of Molly Pitcher’s “well.” The length of this interpretive tour is subject to change depending on weather and conditions. The tour is over open fields and hills and includes detailed information about troop movements at the Battle of Monmouth. Children age 10 and over with parent/guardian are welcome. Service animals only. No restrooms along hike.
20 Business Rte. 33, Manalapan, NJ

Twin Lights Historic Site
10AM – 2PM
Make a resolution and start your new year right by celebrating history atop the North Tower at Twin Lights! The North Tower will be open between the hours of 10:00-2:00 for a self-guided walk up the 64 steps to amazing view. Please bring along binoculars and warm clothes as the tower is not heated.
Twin Lights Historic Site, 2 Light House Road, Highlands, NJ

OCEAN COUNTY:

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Birding at Barnegat 10AM – 12PM
A hike led by Greg Prelich and Jeanine Apgar to look for winter birds along the jetty at Barnegat Light State Park for a 2 mile walk.There are many winter ducks, scoters and sandpipers at this time of year, and we will try to get good looks at them through a scope. Please bring binoculars if you have them and all ages are welcome. Please no pets, they can disturb the waterfowl.
208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ

Bass River State Forest
1PM – 4PM
Join for a 5 mile hike in the Warren Grove Recreation Area which encompasses the Little Pine Plains and the “Pygmy Pines” – the world’s largest acreage of this globally rare forest community. Portions of the hike will be through places where the mature trees are scarcely taller than the hikers themselves and in some places are not. The hike will traverse several ridges that will provide views of the surrounding area. Children 10 years and older with responsible adult, welcome. Service animals only.
Bass River State Forest, Stafford Twp, NJ (pre-registration required)

Double Trouble State Park
10AM – 12PM
Join for New Year’s Day for leisurely jaunt along the Mill Pond Trail and the picturesque clear waters of Cedar Creek. Finish the morning with a guided tour of Double Trouble Village including inside a century-old sawmill and cranberry packing house. Children over 10 welcome with responsible adult
Double Trouble State Park; Double Trouble Village, 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ

Forest Resource Education Center
11AM – 12PM
Join for an easy 1 hour, 1 mile walk of the NJ State Tree Farm in Jackson, New Jersey. We will explore some trails ,view the tree farm and see our NJ Tree Seed Bank followed by a visit to the Education Center for Hot Chocolate. Dogs on leash are welcome
495 Don Conner Blvd, Jackson, NJ

Island Beach State Park
2PM – 3:30PM
Ring in the New Year at beautiful Island Beach State Park! Join the Friends of IBSP for a scenic walk down the beach. Walk is approximately 1.5 miles out and back, but feel free to turn back at anytime. Naturalists will be on site to point out the flora and fauna present. Winter is a great time to experience the a natural beauty of IBSP! All are welcome, including well behaved dogs on leashes.Register in advance by clicking here!
2207 SW Central Ave, Seaside Park, NJ – Meet @ Pavilion at Swimming Area 1

PASSAIC COUNTY:

Ringwood State Park
1PM – 3:30PM
Two self-guided family friendly hikes in the State Park woodlands at the NJ State Botanical Garden. Weather permitting; you can climb to the Mt. Defiance overlook on the Halifax trail and return, or choose our alternate hike without a climb. This annual event is a joint project of State Park staff and volunteers from the NJBG/Skylands Association. Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center at NJBG between 1pm and 2pm. Map and hike directions will be provided at the start. Allow about 90 minutes for the hike.
New Jersey State Botanical Garden, 1304 Sloatsburg Rd, Ringwood, NJ

SALEM COUNTY:

Parvin State Park
1PM – 3PM
Come explore the history of Parvin State Park, as you we walk through a 2 mile journey around park and imagine things 90 years ago. Children with parents/guardians are welcome; dog friendly. Please dress appropriately and bring along binoculars and cameras. Restrooms available. Registration is required. For more information and to register, email parvinvolunteers@gmail.com
701 Almond Road, Pittsgrove, NJ

SUSSEX COUNTY:

High Point State Park
10AM
Come and join us for our Third Annual High Point “First Day Challenge” Hike. This will be a great way to start off the new year and get in some exercise. The first, more rugged half of the hike will be on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in scenic High Point State Park. The return will be on the easier Iris Trail, a well-graded, old wagon road. There will be numerous scenic views along the AT on the ridge. Maximum elevation =1600 ft Minimum elevation =1300 ft. Members of NJ Search and Rescue will be along to assist. Registration is required. Please call the High Point State Park Office at 973-875- 4800 or contact hike leader John Rovetto at 973-903-3496/johnrovetto@gmail.com
Route 23, Montague, NJ (just south of High Point State Park Office, 1480 Route 23)

Stokes State Forest
9AM – 11:30AM
Join in kicking off 2020 with the first hike of the year! Ring in the New Year right by getting outdoors and enjoying our public lands. During a 3.5 mile hike, we’ll go past waterfalls and historic sites while searching for wildlife along the way. All are welcome on this hike, children must be accompanied by responsible adult and leashed pets are welcome as well. Registration is required by calling 973-948-3820.
1 Coursen Road,Branchville, NJ

UNION COUNTY:

Boxwood Hall Historic Site
1PM – 3:30PM
Walk through Mid-Town Elizabeth, NJ—where NJ began! See how it has grown & changed over the past 355 years. 1.5 Mile tour includes interiors of First Presbyterian Church (founded 1664) & Boxwood Hall (where Washington was entertained) & the historic cemetery of First Pres. You won’t believe all the famous names you connected with the City. Children 10 years and older with responsible adult, welcome. Service animals only. Restrooms available at the beginning and end of the walk. Registration is required by calling 908-282-7617 OR e-mail: Katherine.Craig@dep.nj.gov with “First Day Hike” in subject line.
First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, 42 Broad St., Elizabeth, NJ (next to Union County Courthouse)

WARREN COUNTY:

Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail (extension of Kittatinny Valley State Park)
10AM – 2PM
Wednesday January 1, 2020 – 35th Annual New Year’s Day Hike. Join the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee (PVTC) at 10:00AM for their 34th Annual New Year’s Day Hike starting at Footbridge Park in Blairstown, NJ. The PVTC, the Officially Recognized Friends Organization of the Kittatinny Valley State Park, will host the hike. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, level walking. Children with responsible adult are welcome. Bring lunch and a drink. Dogs on a leash are welcome. No motorized vehicles on trails. No restrooms.
1 Footbridge Lane, Blairstown, NJ

AND

11:00 or 1:00 starting times (or come on your own)
Horse rig parking is available near the trail at the Creamery Commercial Complex, Universal Supplies 45 US Route 206, Augusta and also at the Clearance center at Yetters Diner, 89 US Route 206, Augusta. Please contact Carolyn at cmoran789@gmail.com for further information. All riders are invited to gather at Yetters Diner for lunch to meet other riders and discuss upcoming clinic and activities for 2020. Bring your own horse! Children 10 years and older with a riding adult welcome. Riding helmets are required. Bring along water and snacks
Meeting Location: Horse rig parking is available near the trail at the Creamery Commercial Complex, Universal Supplies 45 US Route 206, Augusta. Please do not park by front buildings only at the Universal Supplies. Parking is also available at the Clearance Center at Yetters Diner, 89 US Route 206, Augusta as a second option.

Ideas of Things You Can Do this January!