We tried this loop in early February but the slushy snow caused us to cut things short.
This time the snow was all gone, and we were able to hike the entire park. There is a nice mix of pine trees and deciduous forest, the Manasquan river, and a lake and swamp area.
8.0 miles. Trail surface is easy and level; this hike is moderate only due to length. Lots of opportunities for short hikes in this park (distances noted on the park map). We had to piece together all the trails to put together a long loop.
ROUTE: Overview: Metedeconk Trail (BLUE) – Blueberry Path (YELLOW) – Metedeconk Trail (BLUE) – Link Trail (RED) – Old Lenape Trail – Manasquan Trail – Alder Trail – Metedeconk Trail (BLUE)
Detailed hike guide on our main Turkey Swamp – Metedeconk To Manasquan Loop page.
Started at the trailhead parking on Nomoco Road (at a maintenance building). There is a trail kiosk which had printed maps. Walk behind the building to spot the BLUE trail marker.
In a moment there is a sign; we headed RIGHT into the campground and took the 1 mile Blueberry Path (Blue).
Then we came back to this point and took the Metedeconk Trail (BLUE), which lead into the main park.
Along the Metedeconk Trail (2011):
The trails are mostly really well marked… mostly.
There were a few instances at intersections where markings just were not there, and while we were almost certain of the way to go… it required walking blind for a bit.
Most users of this park probably do a short loop from the main parking, however, and are not tying a bunch of trails together.
The park was busy near the center parking, but we saw no one on Metedeconk and only a handful on the Manasquan trail.
We parked at the trailhead parking just before the entrance to the Nomoco Rec Area, as that was gated. No restrooms at this trailhead.
Wildlife spotted: On the Blueberry Loop, a few deer and a wild turkey (a turkey in Turkey Swamp park… how cliche…)