Central NJ Hikes
All hike guides for central New Jersey which includes areas such as Sourland Mountain, Cheesequake State Park, Baldpate Mountain, and Hartshorne Woods.
We consider this roughly the area between Route 78 and Route 195 but what constitutes “central” is subjective (and for some is an existential debate…). Listed by last updated.
Also check out Best Hikes in Central NJ for a curated collection or Hiking in NJ for the master list of every hike guide on the site.
Thompson Park – Monmouth County
Hike through fields and forest around Swimming River Reservoir and Marlu Lake in Monmouth County.
Cheesequake State Park – Green Trail
Pleasant hike over rolling hills and through beautiful marshlands with the assistance of numerous boardwalks.
Cheesequake – Yellow, Blue, and Green
Explore Hooks Creek Lake, Perrine Pond, and an Atlantic white cedar swamp.
Rutgers Ecological Preserve
Small parcel of old growth forest with a network of easy, scenic trails near Rutgers New Brunswick campus.
Sourland Mountain Preserve
Hike over boardwalks and through the boulders of Devil’s Half Acre and Roaring Rocks.
Clayton Park
Hike over rolling forested hills and along Doctor’s Creek in a small park surrounded by Jersey farmlands.
Institute Woods, Rogers Refuge, Princeton Battlefield
Wander easy trails, cross a swinging bridge, do some birding, and explore a Revolutionary War battlefield.
John A. Phillips Preserve
Small county park with a very nice trail system through a pine forest with several short, easy loops – or combine all for a 5.0 mile hike.
Helyar Woods at Rutgers Gardens
A small section of woods adjacent to Rutgers Gardens and Westons Mill Pond.
Thompson Park Conservation Area
Two connecting sections of trails through forest and along meadows and farms.
Baldpate Mountain – Ted Stiles Preserve
Hike that includes a view towards the Delaware River and passes a few old farm buildings.
