Van Dyke Farm

Updated:
Van Dyke Farm Trailhead.

Short and easy hike in a forested area of a preserved farm.

1.4 miles, easy and mostly level.

Nearby: Ireland Brook Conservation Area; Farrington Lake Trail; Davidson’s Mill Pond Park; Tamarack Hollow Preserve; Forest Brook Trail; Thompson Park – Middlesex County; Thompson Park Conservation AreaPlainsboro Preserve.

Our two cents:

Quick-n-easy leg-stretcher or combine with other nearby short hikes.

The hike is on the forested section of a farm that was saved from development. The area contains vernal wetlands where amphibians can be heard in the spring.

Stick to Sundays during Sept – Feb… many deer hunting stands along the trail.


Map:

Print ahead from the park site. There was a map box at the trailhead but no maps that day.


Parking: N40.40111° W74.46198°

255 Davidson’s Mill Rd, Monroe Township, NJ 08831. Small lot. The easy-to-miss unmarked gravel driveway is at the end of a guardrail and across the street from a long farm fence.


Restrooms:

None. There is usually a porta-john at Davidson’s Mill Pond.


Hike Directions:

Overview: BLUE (Wood Road Trail) – RED (Van Dyke Loop) – BLUE (Wood Road Trail)

0.0 – Follow BLUE (Wood Road Trail) from the lot.

Trail at Van Dyke Farm

0.4 – Turn LEFT at a wooden post to follow RED (Van Dyke Loop). [BLUE continues ahead for just a bit too, check it out if you like.]

Red trail at Van Dyke Farm

Views of vernal wetlands.

Vernal wetland

Keep straight when RED (Van Dyke Loop) splits shortly – you may not notice this and just waltz by it like we did.

Keep following the loop around.

1.0 – Turn RIGHT back on to BLUE (Wood Road Trail) to head back to the lot.

Hiked: 1/18/20.

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