Visit The Remains Of A 100-Year-Old Historic Village At Double Trouble State Park In New Jersey

New Jersey has well over a dozen restored historic villages (from Allaire to Batsto and Red Mill to Waterloo) along with many other abandoned villages and their ruins. Most are quite popular but Double Trouble State Park is often underestimated. While it may not be as bustling as Batsto, it does have plenty to offer.

It's a great place to enjoy fall foliage in South Jersey and we absolutely love the name! How did it earn the monicker? No one knows for sure but some suggest the nickname Double Trouble was popularized 250 years ago after heavy rains washed a local dam away twice in one season. A local newspaper story from the 1800s tells a different tale - the dam and the sawmill were destroyed in succession. Whatever the reason, we know the name was around for at least 200 years!

Double Trouble State Park is an 8,500-acre park in Lacey/Bayville/Berkeley Township that's popular among kayakers. Cedar Creek is perfect for paddlers.

The creek gets its striking tea color from the tannins in the surrounding trees.

It also offers a nice and easy nature walk. The 1.5-mile nature trail will take you past pine barrens, through cedar forests, and around cranberry bogs.

But the park offers more than natural beauty! It's the site of the former Double Trouble Company, which was a major producer and harvester of cranberries founded in 1909.

Double Trouble Village is comprised of 14 restored historic structures from the late 19th century through the early 20th century.

These buildings include homes, a schoolhouse, general store, sawmill, and cranberry sorting and packing house.

There is a small museum that's open most weeks (but not presently) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Guided tours can also be arranged. If you live in the area or a looking for a peaceful little day trip, Double Trouble Village is worth a visit.