Time to get those steps in! Grab your finest – and maybe warmest – winter activewear and head out to take in some of that prime South Jersey nature at one of these parks.
Cooper River Park
Pennsauken
Even when temperatures drop, Cooper River Park is a bustling spot to take in views of the Philly skyline, breathe in some fresh air and people watch – whether that’s the rowers along the 2,000-meter race course or the bridal parties posing for photos at the Camden County Boathouse. Plus, the park hosts a number of sites to keep you busy, from a track, baseball fields and playgrounds to fishing sites.
Absecon Lighthouse
Atlantic City
Want a walk with a little more challenge? As in, 228 steps of a challenge. The Absecon Lighthouse boasts sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean atop the 171-foot-tall tower, but if you’re not feeling the heights, it also has a park that you can stroll through to take in the tower from below. Not to mention, the lighthouse is just two blocks from the Atlantic City beach, where you can meander along the ocean for some salt air and serene sounds of the waves crashing. The lighthouse is open for climbing Thursday through Monday, from 11 am to 4 pm.
Batsto Village
Hammonton
Step into history as you explore Batsto Village, the former iron works and glassworks town nestled in Wharton State Forest. With nature trails, a mansion, blacksmith, ruins of an old glassworks site, mills, a lake and much more, you could spend a day meandering through hundreds of years of history right here in South Jersey.
Red Bank Battlefield Park
National Park
Walk the paths of the site of a crucial moment in the Revolutionary War – when the Hessians attacked Fort Mercer in 1777. The park features nature trails, views of the Delaware River, playgrounds, murals, picnic tables and view finders. Visitors can also see the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners Butterfly House from Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm.
Palmyra Nature Cove
Palmyra
Get a peek at the wildlife that calls South Jersey home with a variety of habitats along the winding trails at Palmyra Nature Cove. Keep an eye out for wintering Saw-whet owls, red-shouldered haves, waterfowl and more. Be sure you don’t miss the peregrine falcon nesting box on the bridge (although there is also a web camera inside the visitor center that shows nest activity). There’s also a good chance to see a bald eagle on your walk.
Cape May County Park & Zoo
Cape May Court House
A park that’s also a zoo? Count us in! Cape May County’s free zoo is open every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Your walk around the park will be filled with exotic animals from zebra and giraffe to kangaroo and porcupine. And if the temps get a little too cold, stop by one of the park’s eateries or pop into the reptile and amphibian house to warm up for a bit.
Amico Island Park
Delran
Explore the 55-acre peninsula in Burlington County for views of the Delaware River and the Rancocas Creek – plus, see where the two come together. The nature trails offer gorgeous views in snowy weather too, as well as a chance to spot white-tailed deer among the trees or hawks and eagles flying overhead.
