SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Throughout Southern New Jersey and the surrounding environs are lush parks and premier recreational facilities developed and managed by boroughs, cities, counties, and the federal government. Lush parks, wooded retreats, sparkling lakes, rolling rivers, rushing streams, white-sand beaches, and patchwork fields encourage biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, bird watching, camping, water sports, and winter sports. From celebrated battlefields and historic sites to nature preserves and municipal parks, the region draws residents from their homes to enjoy nature’s gracious bounty.
Regional State Parks & Forests
Allaire State Park
Allaire 732-938-2371
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/allaire.html
3,205 acres for riverfront fishing, canoeing, camping, nature study, and Historic Allaire Village.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Light 609-494-2016
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html
32 acres features one of the last remnants of maritime forest on Long Beach Island, rich with migratory birds.
Bass River State Forest
New Gretna 609-296-1114
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/bass.html
29,147 acres with the 67-acre Lake Absegami and trails through Absegami Natural Area.
Belleplain State Forest
Woodbine 609-861-2404
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html
21,254 acres of young pine, oak, and Atlantic white cedar combine with Lake Nummy.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
New Lisbon 609-726-1191
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/byrne.html
34,725 acres for hiking through deep forests dotted with remnants of early development.
Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point 609-884-2159
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemay.html
244 acres of shoreline, dunes, marshes and ponds, forested islands, and varied uplands.
Cheesequake State Park
Matawan 732-566-2161
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/cheesequake.html
1,292 acres combines two ecosystems including saltwater and freshwater marshes, a cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and hardwood forest.
Double Trouble State Park
Bayville 732-341-6662
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/double.html
8,495 acres of exceptional Pine Barrens ecosystem and a 1700s living-history village.
Forked River State Marina
Forked River 609-693-5045
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/marinas.html#forkedriver
15-minute ride to Barnegat Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway with easy access to Barnegat Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean.
Fortescue State Marina
Fortescue 856-462-7314
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/marinas.html#fortescue
23 miles northwest of Cape May, the marina is located on Delaware Bay.
Island Beach State Park
Seaside Park 732-793-0506
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html
3,003 acres of narrow barrier island stretches over 10 miles between Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Parvin State Park
Pittsgrove 856-358-8616
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/parvin.html
2,092 acres on the edge of the Pine Barrens features lake recreation including fishing, boating, and swimming.
Penn State Forest
New Gretna 609-296-1114
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/penn.html
3,366 acres of wilderness for picnicking and hiking includes Lake Oswego for canoeing and fishing.
Princeton Battlefield State Park
Princeton 609-921-0074
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/princeton.html
681 acres with historic significance for birdwatching, picnicking, and winter sports.
Rancocas State Park
New Lisbon 609-965-5220
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/rancocas.html
1,252 acres includes Rancocas Creek, the Audubon Society nature center, and 1600s Powhatan Indian Village.
Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina
Atlantic City 609-441-8482
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/marinas.html#senator
Situated on Clam Creek for a short trip to the Atlantic Ocean via Absecon Inlet or the Intracoastal Waterway.
Voorhees State Park
Glen Gardner 908-638-8572
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/voorhees.html
1,336 acres with multi-purpose trails, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, sports facilities, and an observatory.
Washington Crossing State Park
Titusville 609-737-0623
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html
3,575 acres with historical significance for wildlife study, picnicking, hiking, and winter sports.
Wharton State Forest
Hammonton 609-561-0024
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/wharton.html
122,880 acres of forested land for canoeing and hiking with biking and horseback-riding paths.
Pennsylvania State Parks
Benjamin Rush State Park
Fort Washington 215-969-0507
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
The world’s largest community gardens combine with undeveloped open fields and woodlands.
Delaware Canal State Park
Upper Black Eddy, PA 610-982-5560
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
60-mile towpath of the Delaware Canal with historic significance for hiking and mule-drawn canal boat rides.
Evansburg State Park
Collegeville 610-409-1150
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Scenic retreat from urban surroundings encourages fishing, picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Fort Washington State Park
Fort Washington 215-591-5250
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Equally rich in historical significance, recreational opportunities, and the natural beauty of flowering dogwoods.
French Creek State Park
Elverson 610-582-9680
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation on 7,526 total acres with 5,000 acres of open land.
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Wind Gap 610-746-2801
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Educational programs for youth of all ages combine with Henry Woods for hiking and historic treasures.
Marsh Creek State Park
Downingtown 610-458-5119
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Windsurfing, pedal boats, boating, fishing, canoes, ice skating, ice fishing, and miles of trails.
Neshaminy State Park
Bensalem 215-639-4538
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Water-oriented, 330-acre park on the Delaware River offers a pool, boat mooring, and launches.
Nockamixon State Park
Quakertown, PA 215-529-7300
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
5,283 acres of forests and fields surround 1,450-acre Lake Nockamixon for virtually unlimited outdoor recreation.
Ralph Stover State Park
Upper Black Eddy 610-982-5560
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Canoe, fish, hike, and enjoy cabins in this 45-acre park along Tohickon Creek.
Ridley Creek State Park
Media 610-892-3900
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
More than 2,500 acres with multi-purpose trails, exercise stations, historic buildings, picnic groves and a Colonial Plantation.
Tyler State Park
Newtown, PA 215-968-2021
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
1,711 acres of original farm and woodland setting with miles of trails and Neshaminy Creek.
White Clay Creek Preserve
Landenberg 610-274-2900
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Varied topography from steep to rolling terrain includes historical points and adjoins White Clay Creek State Park of Delaware.
Regional Recreation Contacts
Appalachian Trail
Harper’s Ferry 304-535-6331
www.appalachiantrail.org
Atlantic City
Atlantic City 888-AC-VISIT
www.atlanticcitynj.com
Atlantic County
Mays Landing 609-625-1897
www.aclink.org/parks
Burlington County
Eastampton 609-265-5858
www.co.burlington.nj.us
Cumberland County
Bridgeton 856-453-2184
www.co.cumberland.nj.us
Gloucester County
Sewell 856-251-6710
www.co.gloucester.nj.us
New Jersey Statewide
Trenton 800-VISITNJ
http://www.state.nj.us
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife
Trenton 609-292-2965
www.nj.gov/dep/fgw
New Jersey Green Acres Program
Central/Southern 609-984-0500
www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres
New Jersey Park Service
Trenton 800-843-6420
www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests
City of Philadelphia
Fairmount Park System
Philadelphia 215-683-0200
www.phila.gov
Pennsylvania State Parks
Eastern 215-453-5000
Northcentral 814-486-3365
Southcentral 814-733-2202
Western 724-865-2131
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park
The largest landscaped city park in the world begins at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and encompasses 9,200 acres of winding creeks, rustic trails and lush green meadows. A full 100 miles of jogging, bicycling and bridle paths are available. Visitors can rent sailboats, canoes and bicycles, play tennis and golf, swim or enjoy free symphony concerts during the summer months.
Wildlife is abundant in this urban paradise, home to more than 50 species of birds that use the park as a breeding area and 100 more than migrate through or over-winter. At least 20 species of mammals, nine reptiles, six amphibians, and 50 fish have found a comfortable habitat in the park. Whether you enjoy lunch beside a majestic statue, participate in the summer rowing camp, skate down West River Drive, mountain bike on the Wissahickon Trails, or take the kids to a playground, one of the 62 neighborhood parks is available less than a mile from every city residence. In fact, the term “Fairmount Park” refers to a vast citywide park system with virtually endless varieties of natural and crafted beauty.
More than 200 pieces of sculpture dot the scenic landscape, including internationally known works like Alexander Stirling Calder’s Swann Memorial Fountain, Rudolf Siemering’s Washington Monument, Emmanuel Fremiet’s Joan of Arc, Frederick Remington’s Cowboy, Jacques Lipschitz’s Spirit of Enterprise, Carl Milles’ Playing Angels, and John J. Boyle’s Stone Age in America. For complete information about this national treasure and Philadelphia’s crown jewel of recreational resources, contact:
Fairmount Park
215-685-0200
www.fairmountpark.org
Major Attractions
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
215-299-1000
www.ansp.org
Belmont Mansion
2000 Belmont Mansion Drive
Philadelphia 215-878-8844
www.belmontmansion.org/contact_awhs_philadelphia.html
Horticultural Center & Centennial Arboretum
100 North Horticultural Drive
Philadelphia 215-685-0096
www.visitphilly.com/outdoor-activities/philadelphia/fairmount-park-horticulture-center
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue
Fairmount Park 215-893-1999
www.manncenter.org
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia 215-763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia 215-243-1100
www.philadelphiazoo.org
Robin Hood Dell
Ridge Avenue and Huntingdon Street
Philadelphia 215-683-3590
www.mydelleast.com
Rodin Museum
2154 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia 215-763-8100
www.rodinmuseum.org
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
East Fairmount Park
3500 Reservoir Drive
Philadelphia 215-765-4325
http://smithplayground.org
Strawberry Mansion
2829 West Diamond Street
Philadelphia 215-235-7505
www.strawberrymansioncdc.org
Woodford Mansion & Naomi Wood Collection
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia 215-763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
