Home > Preserves, Birding & Wildlife Watching
Preserves, Birding & Wildlife Watching
South Jersey's nature preserves are an oasis for birds, wildlife . . . and people, too!



Mannington Meadows
Load up your canoe and paddle through the marshy waters of Mannington Meadows or hit the trails and spend a lazy afternoon relaxing and enjoying the serene setting. Pack your binoculars to catch a glimpse of moorhens, terns, pied-billed grebe, as well as more than half a dozen species of turtles. Mannington Meadows’ brackish waters and wetlands attract so many birds the New Jersey Audubon Society has designated it as an Important Birding Area.
 
Oswego River Preserve
A favorite destination for kayakers and canoeists, the Oswego River is a key artery that winds through diverse and varied Pine Barrens landscapes. Comprising the headwaters of this stunning river, the preserve is home to streamside corridors of wetlands dominated by pitch pine forests, cedar and hardwood swamps, and pine barren savannas.
 
Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Let the rest of the world hustle and bustle.  You can find an oasis of serenity at Palmyra Nature Park, a 250 acre refuge on the banks of the Delaware River.  Easy trails that wind through woodlands and wetlands make it easy for everyone to commune with nature. Kids (and more than a few grown-ups) will enjoy the hands-on activities in the modern education center.
 
Paws Farm Nature Center
Wait until the kids get their hands on all the hands-on activities at Paws Farm Nature Center. At Paws, live (friendly) animals, play stations, indoor and outdoor activities, trails and pint-size environments set the stage for kids to fire up their brains while having fun. In fact, they’ll be so busy playing they won’t even realize they are learning.
 
Pinelands Adventures
The best way to get to know the Pinelands is to get out there and explore them and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance’s Adventure programs have lots of ways for you to do just that. Trek deep into the wilderness, paddle the Pinelands rivers, learn survival skills or if you dare, if you think you have what it takes, dare to hunt for the mysterious Jersey Devil.
 
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.
 
Smithville Mansion Complex
Talk about lots to do. You could arrive early at the historic Smithville Mansion Complex and find something to do until the sun goes down. The 18th century Greek Revival mansion, once owned by the owner of the company town that bears his name, is surrounded by a 280 acre park that has trails, picnic areas, historic village and picnic areas for family fun.
 
Sunset Beach
As soon as someone comes up with the words to describe the sunsets at Sunset Beach, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile, “spectacular,’ ‘breathtaking,’ and ‘mesmerizing’ will have to do. Located at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, the skies over Sunset Beach are slathered with scarlet, fuschia, pink and gold. With the patriotic flag-lowering tradition and the year-round abundance of birds and waterfowl, a visit is a remarkable experience.
 
Wharton State Forest
It is amazing how many activities, species of wildlife, unusual plants and other natural wonders can be packed into 115,111 acres. Name it and chances are, you can find it in Wharton State Forest, the largest single land tract within the NJ system of parks and forests. Throughout Wharton are rivers and streams for canoeing, trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing, historic landmarks and secluded areas for camping and spotting wildlife.
 
Alloway Creek Watershed Wetland Restoration Site
Anytime a natural resource makes a comeback it is cause for celebration. Alloway Creek, managed by PSEG, is returning to its natural state as more and more natural wetlands plants abound.  Which also means there is more and more wildlife to be found here. Follow the two trails that wind through the wetlands and head to the observation deck for some great birding and wildlife watching.
 
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.
 
Camp Crockett County Park
Nestled along the shores of Avis Mill Pond, Camp Crockett County Park is an oasis of outdoor fun. The former YMCA camp is now a lively park with waters ideal for canoeing or kayaking, picnic groves, and playground areas for the kids.
 
Elmer Lake Wildlife Management Area
Have your hiking boots? Fishing rods? Hunting equipment? Binoculars? That’s pretty much all you’ll need to enjoy a day at Elmer Lake Wildlife Management Area. With 279 acres of rustic wetlands, lake area and forests, the WMA is rich in flora, fauna and wildlife. Hike the trails or load your boat into the 45 acre Elmer Lake and spend a lazy afternoon fishing or watching birds up close and personal.
 
Maskell's Mill Wildlife Management Area
Just a short five miles from the Delaware Bay are 33 acres of pure, untouched forest and a rural pond that anglers and birders like to call their very own. Load in your canoe, kayak or electric motor boat and idle away the afternoon fishing. Or lift your eyes to the skies to spot the many species of birds that flit around the refuge, especially during migration season.
 
Memorial Lake
Named for its surrounding park that features several war and public service memorials, Memorial Lake is just one of many reasons for visit Woodstown.
 
Pennsville Historical Society Church Landing Farmhouse Museum
The main attraction here is the restored Locuson Estate, which includes a farmhouse museum, maritime museum, and the Riverview Beach Park museum. Trails are available for viewing wildlife and fishing is permitted off the beach.
 
Pygmy Pines
The pygmy pines make up an unusual aspect of the Pine Barrens. The pygmy pines, a student variety of pitch pine, can be seen at their best on Route 72 which runs from Stafford Townships through to Burlington County and beyond the Philadelphia area. County Route 539, running from Little Egg Harbor north, also has many great views of these mysterious trees.  
 
Riverview Beach Park
Riverview Beach Park is a large, well-tended site with walking and bicycling paths, picnic areas, a playground, and panoramic views of the Delaware River.
 
Stow Creek Bald Eagle Nest Viewing Platform
Perhaps the best known bald eagles in Southern New Jersey are the pair at Stow Creek. The viewing platform, open to visitors, was built on a low bluff overlooking the salt marsh.
 
Bear Creek Preserve
Dozens of species of birds and wildlife flock to the Bear Creek Preserve, 100 acres of wetlands located right at the point where Bear Creek flows into the Mullica River. And this part of the Mullica is close enough to the ocean that the brackish waters here have the best of both worlds – fresh water and seawater critters.