Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Penn State Forest page.
8.7 miles on sand roads. Mild, sunny day. About 1 hr 20 min from Central NJ via 206. Get the trail map from the park site.
We went in search of the Pygmy Pines in a section of the pine barrens called the “Pine Plains” where the trees average 5 feet tall and you can see over tree tops for acres.
We’ve never hiked Penn State Forest before and didn’t know much about it, other than seeing a few pics of the pines, and they are mentioned in both an older (1998) “50 Hikes in NJ” book as well as a 2009 “Hiking in NJ” book and sounded intriguing – both as an interesting hiking destination and as a photography subject.
We parked at Oswego Lake and followed the route in the “50 Hikes” book (8.7 miles) but were quite disappointed to never find trees less than 7 or 8 feet high – certainly too tall to see over. I re-read the trail descriptions after the hike, and sure enough, we were on the right paths. The books made it seem like you would be strolling right thru these awesome, unique short pines.
The hiking here is 100% on wide sand roads – not a favorite trail surface for us (hence our annoyance at hiking all day on less than favorable conditions and not seeing what we hoped for). It ranged from hard packed to the soft bright white “sugar” sand. There was still some avoidable snowpack on some trails, and it was quite wet on one road. Read more…
Decided to try our luck with the snow in South Jersey, as I’d checked the snow depth map online and it appeared this area didn’t get as much. Turns out that Brendan Bryne was not the smart choice.
Rt 206 South to Rt. 70 E. (Red Lion Circle). At 4 Mile Circle, take Rt. 72. Park entrance is on the left, not too far, big sign. Follow the signs to the main park office, or to the Pakim Pond lot where we started from.
There were maps in a kiosk at the main park office. Note on the building said the office is closed weekends until April 1st. We drove to the Pakim Pond parking lot a few miles down the park road. The composting toilet was unlocked (yay!). There is also a larger bathroom building there, which is seasonal. Another composting toilet was along the Orange trail later in the hike.
We headed to the Mt Misery trail (WHITE) from the lot, which is reached from the Batona (PINK) as it crosses over Pakim Pond. (near the gazebo) Read more…
For detailed hike directions, maps, and photos, visit our Wells Mills page.
We hike on New Years Day every year – it’s a great way to kick off the new year. Weather was cloudy when we started out but not windy. The sun came out around noon and it got up in the mid-40s and was very comfortable.
Located in Ocean County, super easy access – right off the Parkway at exit 69, left onto 532 W, entrance is about 2.5 miles down, on the left. This is a no-hunting park. Get the trail map here.
This was our first time here and we wished we’d check out this park sooner, it’s just really nice with well maintained facilities and trails. It’s also a great intro to the terrain of the Pine Barrens. Right at the start of the hike you walk through an Atlantic white cedar swamp which was just really neat – and pretty.
The terrain switches to just pine barren with areas of cedar swamp sprinkled throughout. There are many narrow boardwalks over wet areas or streams which can get slippery when wet or icy… Read more…
For detailed hike directions, maps, photos and GPS coordinates, visit our Maurice River Bluffs page and our Parvins page.
Hiked two small and easy parks in south, south Jersey, in Cumberland County. And I don’t mean like Cherry Hill south Jersey. I mean south south Jersey.
Both parks have rock-free trails that are characteristic of south Jersey so you cover ground a lot quicker. If you are from central or north Jersey, the terrain here will seem very different. Very little elevation change, easy trail surface, lots of pine trees and some cedar at the Bluffs….
For detailed hike directions, maps, photos and GPS coordinates, visit our Apple Pie Hill page.
8.4 miles. Easy, level trail surface through the Pine Barrens in Wharton State Forest. Follow the Batona Trail (PINK blazes) from the Carranza Memorial to Apple Pie Hill and back.
Was warm and sunny, upper 80′s. This hike has strong sun exposure since the pine trees don’t offer as much shade – plan accordingly (sunblock, hat, plenty of water) or go when it’s cooler. Wild blueberries are all along this hike so that is your reward for dealing with the sun if you hike this during blueberry season (late July- mid Aug)…
We’ve never hiked Penn State Forest before and didn’t know much about it, other than seeing a few pics of the pines, and they are mentioned in both an older (1998) “50 Hikes in NJ” book as well as a 2009 “Hiking in NJ” book and sounded intriguing – both as an interesting hiking destination and as a photography subject.
