New Jersey’s Pine Barrens Are A Big Secluded Treasure

The New Jersey Pine Barrens are the largest remaining example of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecosystem. They span more than 7 counties and aren't actually barren at all. They were given the name by European settlers who were unable to grow their traditional crops in the sandy soil. However, the unique ecology of the region supports a wide variety of plant life, from rare pygmy pitch pines to orchids and even carnivorous plants!

The Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, are a protected ecosystem. In 1978, the federal government designated 1.1 million acres as the Pinelands National Reserve - the nation's first national reserve.

Ten years later, the United Nations designated the area as an International Biosphere Reserve.There are around 680 such reserves around the world.

The Pinelands replenish the nearly 20 trillion gallon Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, which contains some of the purest water in the United States.

They are also home to beautiful cranberry bogs and...

A whole host of outdoor activities! Nature lovers can enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, bird watching, swimming, and more.

You can spend days, weeks even, exploring this beautiful place. It's the kind of destination you need if you're looking to get away from it all.

There are even a few man-made gems in the Pines, from eerie ghost towns to historic villages, like Batsto, Whitesbog, and Allaire.

You can explore the Pinelands with friends, or take a unique tour. Pinelands Adventures offers a variety of options, including guided paddles, naturalist-led hikes, ecology tours, and history tours. In a state as populous as New Jersey, the Pines sure are a picturesque escape. The Jersey Devil sure isn't keeping us away! Some say there's buried treasure in the Pinelands, but I think they're treasure enough themselves.