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Walking, Running, Hiking and More

By foot or by wheels, fast or slow, there are miles and miles of paths and trails to explore in South Jersey.

Just the words ‘Batona Trail’ can get walkers and hikers all misty-eyed. The famed 50 mile trail that winds through the Wharton State Forest, Brendon T. Byrne State Forest and the Bass River State Forest weaves through forested areas, meadows, streams and historic villages and is a cornucopia of wildlife and plants and everything else that you want to experience in the great outdoors. And for outdoorsy-types who don’t want to commit to the Batona’s full 50 miles, there are various branches and loops for shorter day walks.

Washington took a boat but modern-day walkers and hikers prefer the 15 miles of moderate trails throughout Washington Crossing State Park. And for people in wheelchairs, the trails at Parvin State Park and Fort Mott State Park are gentle and accessible.

Tucked along the edges of the Delaware River, Palmyra Cove Nature Park is a great place for kids to discover nature and get into walking and hiking. Wide, paved paths make it easy for the yung’uns to get around and for wheelchairs to maneuver easily.

For an after-work run, urban-dwellers can lace up and hit the cross-country trail or the 1 ¼ mile cinder track at Cooper River Park. And if that sounds too much like hard work, a lazy stroll along the Main Streets in Salem, Burlington and Bordentown is scenic and easy on the joints.

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SPOTLIGHT

Bass River State Park

When you get to Bass River State Park, your hardest choice will be what to do first. Head to 67 acre Lake Absegami so you can swim, paddle your canoe or launch your boat? Or hike the Park’s eight trails? Maybe find a spot under the trees for a picnic or unpack your gear and set up your campsite. Throughout Bass River’s 27,635 acres, you’ll find lots of ways to enjoy the great outdoors, no matter what you enjoy doing.

Rancocas State Park

First things first. With miles of trails that wind through hardwood forests and along an extensive tidewater march, Rancocas State Park is a great place to view all kinds of wildlife. But don’t stop there. Not only will you find the New Jersey Audubon Society’s Rancocas Nature Center, you can tour a re-created 1600s Powhatan Indian village, part of the Powhatan Renape Nation’s Rankokus Indian Reservation located within the Park.

ITEMS WITHIN Walking, Running, Hiking and More

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Amico Island Park

Amico Island is 55-acre peninsula with diverse habitats and terrain -- enjoy biking, hiking, fishing & picnciking. It is in a rustic natural setting at the confluence of the Rancocas Creek & Delaware River. Visitors may see red fox, cottontail rabbits, red-tailed hawks and great white herons.

Atsion Lake Recreational Area

If summer’s heat gets you down, Atsion Lake Recreational Area provides a refreshing escape. Set amid the Pinelands in Wharton State Forest, Atsion has what you need to chill out. Take your pick of picnicking, hiking, boating or swimming in the cooling water of Atsion Lake. Better yet, book a campsite or cabin and do it all.

Baldpate Mountain

Hiking boots are de riguer on Baldpate Mountain. At 400-feet, it isn’t the biggest mountain around, but some sections of its 12 miles of trails can present a real challenge for hikers, walkers or horseback riding. Not all the pathways are difficult though so if you are a novice walker or hiker, you can find easier trails that won’t send you scurrying back to your lounge chair.

Follow the pink blazes posted along cedar swamps, through flat lands and over sandy trails, and you’ll traverse 50 miles of one of the most famous trails along the East Coast. Winding through Wharton State Forest, Brendan Byrne State Forest and Bass River State Forest, the Batona Trail offers hikers, cross country skiers and snowshoers of all abilities challenging but very do-able paths.

Thanks to the munitions produced by the Batsto Iron Works, the Continental Army had the arms they needed to defeat the British. After the Revolution, the Iron Works produced such household items as pots and kettles and employed hundreds of people who lived in Batsto Village. Today, the living 19th-century history museum features more than 30 historic buildings that recount the town’s dominance as a glassmaking and agricultural center.

Belleplain State Forest

Make it a day trip – or an overnight adventure – at Belleplain State Forest and you’ll be hooked. The 21,300 acre forest is just what the outdoor-lover ordered. By day, you can fish, go boating, swim, picnic, bike, hike or challenge yourself along the physical fitness trail. By night, bunk down at one of hundreds of spots for tent, trailer, yurt or lean-to camping sites.

No gimmicks. Just 152 acres of peaceful parkland, winding trails, playground equipment, sporting facilities and the Great Egg Harbor River that cuts through Berlin Park. Part of the Camden County Park System, Berlin Park is a quick and easy escape for you and your family.

Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

Pick a day. Any day. No matter when you visit, you can enjoy the great outdoors at Brendan Byre State Forest. Formerly known as Lebanon State Park, the Forest provides 36,647 acres of pine forests, camping, picnicking, historic sites, fishing, cross-country skiing and other activities for year-round fun. Among its many trails are segments of the famed Batona Trail, which links to the Wharton and Bass River State Forests.

Burlington Riverfront Promenade Park

A beautiful park along the Delaware River with places to relax for the family and several community events throughout the summer.

Camden County Parks System

The folks at Camden County Park System work hard so you can play hard. From your early-morning jog on a favorite trail to a free evening, throughout the Camden County Park System, you’ll find dozens of activities in the Park System’s well-maintained marina and parks. And with 20 parks to choose from, you won’t have to go far to have fun.

Cape May Point State Park

Best known as the site of Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point State Park's changing shore line, dunes, pond and freshwater coastal marsh have made the area a favorite place to see the fall bird migration. The natural area includes several blazed trails where wildlife can be seen from observation platforms. Don't forget to check out the Cape May Lighthouse. Still a navigational aid open to the public, visitors who climb the steps to the top are rewarded with a view of the Cape May Penin

Challenge Grove

When you get bored with your run-of-the-mill workout routine, a trip to Challenge Grove Park can shake things up. Parked along the Cooper River, Challenge Grove has equipment that you don’t usually find in most parks – bocce courts, long jump, and a fitness quad to name a few – along with some of the activities and amenities you do expect including ball fields, playgrounds, paths, picnic benches and a pavilion.

Cooper River Park

Along the banks of the Cooper River, the Park is a dream for folks who love to go out and play. With facilities that range from a modern kiddie playground and miniature golf course to a sleek, modern boathouse and volleyball courts, Cooper River Park winds through Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Collingswood and Haddon Township providing 346 acres of outdoor fun.

Corson’s Inlet State Park

Corson’s Inlet State Park combines ecotourism with year-round outdoor recreation.
The 341-acre Park features a variety of habitats, such as sand dunes, marine estuaries and upland areas.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park

When it comes to outdoor fun, the Delaware and Raritan Canal Park is your one-stop spot for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, camping, birding, nature programs and lots of other activities. Not surprising since the D&R Canal Park stretches for 70 miles. And there is more here than nature. The Canal played a big role in the region’s development and many of its historic landmarks and villages still stand, just waiting for you to explore.

Delaware River Greenway Partnership

In addition to providing river cleanups and classes about the the Delaware River, Delaware River Greenway Partnership also manages the proposed Delaware River Heritage Trail, for biking and hiking through New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Dorothy Preserve

What could be better than a two-fer? That's the Dorothy Preserve. With two different environments, the 337 acre preserve is part Pinelands forest and part Pinelands Savanna. The place has all kinds of birds, wildlife and vegetation that is found in few places outside the Pinelands which makes it a favorite among nature-lovers searching for a quiet place to hike.

Double Trouble State Park

There’s double the fun awaiting you at Double Trouble State Park. Part historic site (many of the buildings from its 19th century roots as a cranberry production center are still preserved) and part natural playground (its 7,800 acres include trails, bogs, swamps, and Cedar Lake for fishing and boating), means you’ll want to spend twice as long exploring every nook and cranny.

Evert Trail Preserve

Evert Trail Preserve is the best of both worlds -- part of it sits on the inner coastal plains, part of it sits on the outer coastal plains. For nature lovers, this means you get to see the wildlife and vegetation from both environments. The Preserve's forested wetlands are home to more species of warblers, vireos and other songbirds than anywhere on the Jersey coastal plains, making it one of the most popular areas for birding.

Fort Mott State Park

At some parks, history takes a back seat to nature, but not here. Fort Mott State Park is an equal balance of American history and the great outdoors. Its 104 acres of wide open spaces and military battlements overlook the Delaware River. Roam through the batteries where troops were stationed from 1897 to 1922, enjoy a picnic in the shade of the pavilion or join in the Park’s educational and historical programs.

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The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

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