New Jersey’s Brand New Cranberry Trail Is A Perfect Fall Drive

New Jersey offers diverse scenery, from rolling hills to ocean views. Whatever landscape you're looking for, the Garden State has got you covered. There are evergreen pinelands and woodlands that come alive with color in the fall; there are lakes and rivers, streams and marshes, urban skylines, and fertile fields. We even have quarries that look like tropical oases and barren deserts! A great way to appreciate our topography is by taking a scenic drive. That's where New Jersey's new Cranberry Trail comes in.

The Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Double Trouble State Park, and Cloverdale Farm County Park worked together to create the perfect October road trip.

October is Cranberry Month and New Jersey is one of the biggest cranberry producers in the United States. Fall is a wonderful time to explore our cranberry region - the Pinelands.

There are four key stops on this driving tour. The first is Whitesbog Historic Village.

Whitesbog Village is where the blueberry was first cultivated but it also has a rich cranberry history. The village offers over two dozen historic buildings, blueberry farm fields, cranberry bogs, hiking trails, a picnic grove, gardens, and more. There's also a charming general store.

Stop number two is Double Trouble State Park.

A highlight of this park is a perfectly intact cranberry packing house but it also offers a 19th-century schoolhouse, hiking trails, cranberry bogs, a beautiful creek, and more.

The third stop is Cloverdale Farm County Park.

A beautiful birdwatching destination, Cloverdale Farm County Park offers an easy nature and wildlife trail (1.4 miles) and a visitor's center with exhibits. The property has been continuously run as a cranberry farm since the late 1800s. Haven't heard of Cloverdale Farm yet? The 85-acre gem is Ocean County's newest park.

The final stop is the Village of Chatsworth.

The unofficial capital of the Pinelands is home to an annual Cranberry Festival, beautiful hiking trails, and the fantastic Franklin Parker Preserve.

The official trail postcard, created by the Discover NJ History License Plate Fund for Heritage Tourism, also features several suggested restaurants and nearby attractions.

Favorites include Lucille's Country Cooking and the beloved Popcorn Park Zoo.

Doesn't this trip sound perfect for family-friendly fall fun? It could even work as a daytime date. For more information, check out the official trail guide and New Jersey Cranberry Trail Map.