Set within the Rancocas State Park, the Rancocas Nature Center offers a full range of programs and activities for all ages. The trail is relatively short – less than a mile – and you can cover it in about half an hour. Which makes it an easy way to introduce youngsters to the great outdoors. The trail goes this way and that past diverse ecological communities including old fields and thickets, conifer plantations, upland oak-pine and floodplain forests, and a fresh water tidal marsh along the Rancocas Creek. And each step along the very user-friendly trail is another opportunity to spot a variety of different trees, shrubs, ferns and wildlife.

Throughout the year, the Rancocas Nature Center conducts a wide array of programs for kids and adults in their 19th century farmhouse, the heart and soul of the Center. Just the list of kids’ programs alone is impressive – Little Sprouts, Nature Toddlers, Saturday Afternoon Nature Club are just a few of the programs designed to introduce wee ones to natural wonders. Summer camp programs are a great way to combine fun and learning during the school break.

Adults can sign up for New Jersey Audubon Society birding expeditions, join in on guide-led walks through some of the region’s other natural environments, learn about backyard birds and butterflies, go for a moonlight night hike and dozens of other activities.

But you don’t have to sign up for a program to enjoy Rancocas. Pay a visit to the critters in the animal exhibition areas and the Center’s staff will be glad to give you quick bits of info about them.

One more thing. The gift shop has a really nice selection of toys, games, gifts and other trinkets for all ages and price points.