Oh, the great outdoors! Get some fresh air and a bit of adventure with these South Jersey trails.
Cooper River Park
Bike path: 3.8 mile loop (Cuthbert to Rt. 130)
Bike path: 1.35 miles (Cuthbert to Grove St.)
Walking trails: nearly 4 miles around the river
Take in the serene Cooper River and views of the Philadelphia skyline while biking or walking through the 346 acres of Cooper River Park. Along the way, you’ll find a number of playgrounds, a softball field, the Camden County Boathouse and even a Bocce court, among other attractions.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Mount Misery Trail: 8.6 miles; mountain biking optional
Cranberry Trail: 3.2 miles; wheelchair accessible
With more than 25 miles of trails for all different skill levels, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is a living choose-your-own-adventure book. Drive along the Lebanon Trail or hike the Mount Misery Trail to see the Cranberry bogs or walk the 0.65-mile Nature Trail around Pakim Pond for a quick adventure with breathtaking views. For more trail options, see the map here.
Belleplain State Forest
East Creek Trail: 7 miles; features birding area and picnic tables
Mountain Bike Trail: 9.2 miles
Choose from 24 official trails to bike and hike through the wetlands of Belleplain State Forest (there are also plenty of driving trails available). If you’re looking for a place to camp overnight, there are 3 available campgrounds around Lake Nummy and even a cabin site near East Creek Pond. For a short trip featuring a bridge outlook, head to the north edge of the park and try out the 0.85-mile Tarkiln Bridge trail. For all trails, click here.
Cape May Point
Duck Pond (Red) Trail: 0.5 miles, hiking; wheelchair accessible
Monarch (Yellow) Trail: 1.5 miles, hiking
Plover (Blue) Trail: 2 miles, hiking
It may hold some of the smallest trails on this list, but Cape May Point is packed with things to do and see (there’s a reason it’s called the Fall birding capital of the country). There’s so much to do, you could spend days exploring the several lookout points, climbing the Cape May Lighthouse and touring the site’s World War II Gun Battery – and still have more to see. For a walk through most of the property, head to the 1.5-mile Plover Trail.
Rancocas State Park
Creekside Trail: 3 miles
Maple Leaf Trail: 0.4 miles; connects Rancocas Nature Center to surrounding trails
On either side of the north branch of Rancocas Creek lies more than 13 miles of trails where visitors can watch wildlife and explore wetlands, forests and open fields. Choose from one of 14 trails, the longest only 3 miles, before or after visiting the Rancocas Nature Center to learn about the park. For a map of the park, click here.
