<<<Best Hikes in NJ
Cheesequake State Park- Green Trail
Summary: Located in Central Jersey, the Green Trail at Cheesequake State Park is pleasant hike with a fair amount of diversity. In just under 3 miles you will hike over rolling hills and through beautiful marshlands with the assistance of numerous boardwalks.
3 miles. Moderate, some minor elevation change. Ranger station and interpretive center should have park maps. Restrooms at ranger station, interpretive center, and comfort stations near the campground (seasonal). Water fountain in the parking lot is on seasonally.
There are other shorter routes here, RED and YELLOW. There are also trails around the lake, and another parking area by that for swimming in the summer. There is also a nice swingset/gym by the lake.
Fees: From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the entrance fee is $10 on weekends and $7 on weekdays. You can also purchase an annual NJ Park Pass.
Parking: From the Garden State Parkway, take exit 120, follow brown state park signs. Or take Rt 34 to Cheesequake-Morristown Road and turn onto Gordon Rd, and follow into park. There is a gate, and the ranger station on your right. Shortly after is the hikers parking on your left. There is another lot further in the park for the lake, and near the campground areas are the mountain biking trails. The GREEN, RED and YELLOW trails from this lot are foot traffic only.
Hike Directions: There is a trail sign with a map at the trailhead. Follow the GREEN markers for this trail. Almost immediately the trail splits. Bear left and follow the stepped boardwalk down. Take a left over a small bridge and head up the hill to the Interpretive Center, following signs for RED/GREEN. The YELLOW trail goes straight here. At the interpretive center are restrooms and nature exhibits with aquariums and turtles.
Continue following the GREEN markers. At about .25 mile is a long set of steps up a hill. At the junction turn left and follow RED/GREEN. (BLUE goes to the right here). Shortly after, the trail turns right (there is a large wooden arch trail sign with "Red Trail"). When you reach the park road, at about .6m, there is a bench and a sign about the RED and GREEN trails. There are wooden trail arches here. Cross the road, and turn right to follow GREEN (RED goes left here).
At about .7 the trail bears left and on your right it overlooks a marshy area. Beyond that, out of view, is the lake, playground and another parking lot. The trail continues down a hill then down some steps, and over a long boardwalk over a wet area. (This park has a lot of wet areas that keep the Boy/Eagle Scout groups busy building boardwalks and steps).
A short set of steps, then right and continue on GREEN. (Unmarked trail goes left). There is another bench and trail sign here. The trail continues through a cedar swamp on a zig-zagged boardwalk. NOTE: this boardwalk can be REALLY slippery when wet.
Right after the boardwalk, continue straight. (unmarked trail to the left will take you to the park road) Continue over two more boardwalks, and up and down a sometimes muddy hill. The trail crosses the road again and there is a sign and a bench. On the right you will pass an area that is recovering from a fire several years ago. The trail turns left and goes up a slightly steep hill and stairs at 1.25 miles.
Trail runs next to the back of several business properties, then over some bridges. Keep following GREEN as it bears left - and there are a couple unmarked paths in this area that lead off.
At about 1.7 miles, turn right as you approach the park road, and continue on the trail. Turn left at the long boardwalk and follow that over a stream. At about 1.9 miles is a water crossing. You may have to hop over some running water here as the bridge is a little broken. A newer bridge was built but it got washed out.
Trail curves right and there is a wet area on the left with a lot of fallen trees. Continue thru a marsh area over a lot of roots, and a couple boardwalks. At a little over 2 miles the trail heads uphill on your right. It used to go straight here but has been rerouted. It goes down a set of steps, and across two more boardwalks and then a set of steps over a berm.
At 2.1 miles, right after the steps, turn right. It is confusing here: right in front of you is a brown plastic trail marker with a green blaze and a trail... but don't go that way. Everyone makes the mistake and it has created a trail. The blaze has a little right arrow written in pen but its hard to see. Also, don't go left even though there is a green marker, this is where the trail used to come out, it is not blocked off but you will just end up where you came. Follow the trail right and go over yet another set of wooden stairs (a little overkill here).
Follow the trail along a little ridge here. GREEN joins the park road near the campground. There is a bench here, at 2.2 miles. Turn left and follow the road past some comfort stations. Watch for the wooden sign arch on your right and pickup the trail here again, at 2.3 miles. RED also joins at this point. Follow the trail, the campgrounds will be on your right and the paved road comes into view on the left. Soon you arrive at the park road.
Turn right on to the park road and follow it back to the parking lot.
