Double Trouble State Park Route 530, Berkeley Township, NJ (732) 341-4098 GPS Coordinates DMS 39° 53’ 52.36” N 74° 13' 16.65" W Double Trouble is the site of a working cranberry farm, with many partially restored buildings of the old village. Almost 8,000 acres, it also contains a wonderful nature trail through cedar forests, across Cedar Creek and around the cranberry bogs. Purchased by the state of New Jersey in 1964, it is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. (east)

Ocean County Park Route 88, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-506-9090 Northern Ocean County is home to Ocean County Park, in Lakewood Township.  This 300+ acre park was once the home of Billionaire John D. Rockefeller. It features a fresh-water swimming lake, tennis courts, ball fields, plenty of picnic facilities and more. Call 1-877-OCPARKS for more info. (north)

Brendan T. Byrne State Forest Route 72, P.O. Box 215 New Lisbon, NJ 08064 (609) 726-1191 GPS Coordinates DMS 39° 53’ 27.66 ” N 74° 34' 46.63" W More details and photos Formerly known as Lebanon State Forest, visitors to BTB State Forest are greeted by the fresh scent of pines. Today's forested acres are a strong contrast to the barren, cleared land that existed in the 1800s. The Lebanon Glass Works was established in 1851 and was successful until 1867, when it shut down after depleting the supply of wood necessary for the furnace to operate. Today, hikers can follow the sandy trails and roads that crisscross the forest, sometimes passing near the remains of stone or brick structures, or where large depressions indicate the location of what was once a bustling town. Pure, iron-rich streams flow through acres of swampy land covered with dense stands of Atlantic white cedar. (north/west)

Bass River State Forest 762 Stage Rd Tuckerton, NJ 08087 (609) 296-1114 Burlington and Ocean Counties GPS Coordinates: DMS 39° 37’ 14.30” N 74° 25'28.83" W Bass River S.F. is home to Lake Absegami for swimming, boating and canoeing. A trail through the Absegami Natural Area wanders through a pine/oak woods and a small Atlantic white cedar bog. The West Plains Natural Area (Pygmy Pine Forest) and access points to the 50-mile Batona Trail are also within Bass River. Campsites available. (south/east)

Edwin G. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Great Creek Road, Oceanville, NJ More than 43,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats are actively protected and managed for migratory birds. Several locations along the Jersey coast. The 8-mile loop road and trails at Brigantine are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. (call first) (south/east)

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park P.O. Box 167 Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 (609) 494-2016 GPS Coordinates DMS 39° 45’ 46.91” N 74° 06' 22.86" W Located on 32 acres on the Atlantic Ocean at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Gorgeous views, trails, picnicking, fishing, birdwatching, Interpretive Center. (east)

Island Beach State Park P.O. Box 37 Seaside Park, NJ 08752 (732) 793-0506 GPS Coordinates DMS 39° 54’ 18.98” N 74° 04' 53.15" W Located on a barrier island, accessible via S.H. 37 E. 3,007 acres. Pristine oceanfront and bayfront, 10 miles of coastal dunes, nature trails, protected areas, sugar sand beaches, excellent surf fishing, MSFV's by permit. Part of the Pinelands National Reserve. (east)

Cloverdale Farm County Park Cloverdale Road (off Route 554/W. Bay Ave.) Barnegat NJ c/o Wells Mills C.P: 609-971-3085 In Late 2004, the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust purchased the 80 acre tract of land known as Cloverdale Road Farm in Barnegat. This property is tucked away off West Bay Avenue, and is a much needed and appreciated measure to assure conservation. Once a working cranberry farm, this area is a haven for nature lovers. Wildflowers, birds and yes, even cranberries are here, all for great photo opportunities. Nature walks are offered, and plans are underway to start "working" the bogs once again. Call 609-971-3085 for details. Photos (east)

Allaire State Park & Historic Village 4265 Atlantic Ave. Farmingdale, NJ 07727 (732) 938-2371 GPS Coordinates: DMS 40° 09’ 43.60” N 74° 07' 53.62" W Although technically outside of the "Pinelands Management Area, Allaire State Park in southern Monmouth County is probably best known for its historic 19th-century ironmaking town, Allaire Village. The antique steam trains on the Pine Creek Railroad are also well-known. The Manasquan River, which winds through the park, attracts canoeists and fishermen. The river’s floodplain provides habitat for over 200 species of wildflowers, trees and plants as well as habitat for birds and other wildlife. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders enjoy the many trails in the park. (north)

Franklin Parker Preserve Woodland Township, Burlington County NJ Formerly a cranberry farm, this 9,700 acre tract was purchased by New Jersey Conservation Foundation in December 2003, after owner, A.R. DeMarco Enterprises, decided the property should be protected forever as a nature preserve. NJCF was able to cover most of the property’s $12 million cost. The area is a biologist and enviornmentalist's dream, as it is home to many threatened and endangered species. See map. (central)

Warren Grove Recreation Area Beaver Dam Road Warren Grove, Ocean and Burlington Counties c/o Bass River State Park - 609-296-1114 Warren Grove Recreation Area is an undeveloped wilderness perfect for hiking and birding. This 617-acre parcel is just west of the town of Warren Grove and straddles Ocean and Burlington counties. The land was acquired from the National Park Service in 1972 as part of their Federal Lands to Parks Program. Bass River State Forest administers the area. Warren Grove Recreation Area is open for passive recreation including horseback riding, bicycle riding, hiking, birding, hunting and nature/ecology study. A small parking area is being planned along Beaver Dam Road across from the Federal Aviation Administration’s tower site. Access into the recreation area is via several sand roads and old woods roads through the area but no marked trails currently exist. The recreation area also is home to the federally endangered broom crowberry (Corema conradii) and other rare plant species. View the Dwarf Pine Plains habitat, a globally rare forest community, where the pitch pine trees reach an average height of only 4 to 5 feet.

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