Posted in New Jersey April 25, 2022 by

Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To 6 Of New Jersey’s Least-Visited State Parks

New Jersey’s least-visited State Parks make for excellent places to spend a day outdoors, exploring the Garden State. Take a two-day trip (or a really long day trip!) to find beauty at the beach, in the Pine Barrens, and up in the Skylands and you’ll get to see a variety of landscapes that make New Jersey such an amazing place to live! You’ll start off in Bass River State Forest and make your way all the way up to New Jersey’s very first State Park, Swartswood, all the while avoiding crowded trails and parking lots because these are the quietest parks around.

The entire trip takes under four hours of driving time, although you’ll want to carve out more time to stop. You can find the whole road trip itinerary here.

Google Maps
Start off in the Pinelands, where you'll visit Bass River State Forest.
Bass River State Forest, Bass River, NJ 08087, USA
Flickr / Dan Jeffrey
This small park boasts sandy hiking trails and plenty of places to get your feet wet!
Flickr / Dan Jeffrey
Double Trouble State Park is next on your list, and despite being practically empty year-round, it's a fascinating look into the history of the pines.
Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ 08721, USA
Flickr / Hypnotical Studios
While many of the area's cranberry bogs have dried up or emptied out, you'll still find plenty of fruit here!
Flickr / Hypnotical Studios
Take a short drive to find Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, which is the least-visited place in the NJ Parks System.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064, USA
Flickr / Dan Jeffrey
Pakim Pond is a wonderful spot for hiking or camping, and it sits on the Batona Trail, Southern New Jersey's short thru-hike.
Flickr / JohnFBoyle3
Rancocas State Park is a quick stop on your way up north! This tiny park follows the Rancocas Creek.
Rancocas State Park, Powhatan Indian Reservation Dr, Hainesport, NJ 08036, USA
Flickr / Mike
It's a wooded and quiet park where we've hardly ever seen a soul.
Flickr / Mike
Head north from Rancocas up to the mountains! This is the longest stretch of the drive, and a good time to split the trip. Stay in a cozy Airbnb in Lambertville or Princeton if you want to really treat yourself.
Jenny Jump State Forest, 330 State Park Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, USA
Flickr / Nicholas A. Tonelli
Once you get up to Jenny Jump State Forest, you'll be wowed by the views! You can see the Delaware Water Gap from way up here, and the hiking trails are absolutely gorgeous.
Flickr / Nicholas A. Tonelli
Jenny Jump also offers a campground if you're into that, and there's an observatory at the top because here you'll find some of the darkest skies in the state.
Your final stop is Swartswood State Park, a beachy and woodsy spot that was New Jersey's first designated state park.
Swartswood State Park, 1091 E Shore Dr, Swartswood, NJ 07877, USA
Flickr / tchamber236
Swartswood can get crowded on the hottest of summer days, but all other times, you'll have this place practically to yourself. That's a rarity in New Jersey!
Flickr / tchamber236

To learn more about New Jersey’s parks and forests, visit the NJ Department of Environmental Protection website.

Have you ever visited any of these New Jersey parks before? Share with us your experiences in the comments section!

Address: Swartswood State Park, 1091 E Shore Dr, Swartswood, NJ 07877, USA
Address: Bass River State Forest, Bass River, NJ 08087, USA
Address: Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064, USA
Address: Jenny Jump State Forest, 330 State Park Rd, Hope, NJ 07844, USA
Address: Rancocas State Park, Powhatan Indian Reservation Dr, Hainesport, NJ 08036, USA
Address: Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ 08721, USA