Steamboat Landing – Cheesequake State Park
Hike to scenic Steamboat Landing along Cheesequake Creek.
Central NJ Hikes
All hike guides for central New Jersey which includes areas such as Sourland Mountain, Cheesequake State Park, Baldpate Mountain, and Hartshorne Woods.
We consider this roughly the area between Route 78 and Route 195 but what constitutes “central” is subjective (and for some is an existential debate…). Listed by last updated.
Also check out Best Hikes in Central NJ for a curated collection or Hiking in NJ for the master list of every hike guide on the site.
Cheesequake – White Trail and Arrowsmith
Short hike with a butterfly garden plus a side trip for viewpoints over pretty marshland.
Cheesequake – Yellow, Blue, and Green
Explore Hooks Creek Lake, Perrine Pond, and an Atlantic white cedar swamp.
Cheesequake State Park – Green Trail
Pleasant hike over rolling hills and through beautiful marshlands with the assistance of numerous boardwalks.
Clayton Park
Hike over rolling forested hills and along Doctor’s Creek in a small park surrounded by Jersey farmlands.
Washington Crossing State Park
Hike with history at a scenic park near the site of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and the Continental Army’s route to Trenton in 1776.
Monmouth Battlefield
Hike with history along forests, fields, and farms that featured in the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.
Institute Woods, Rogers Refuge, Princeton Battlefield
Wander easy trails, cross a swinging bridge, do some birding, and explore a Revolutionary War battlefield.
Goat Hill Overlook
Easy hike to a fantastic view over the Delaware River, Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA.
John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland Preserve
An interesting combo of forest, fields, and grasslands.
Merrill Creek Reservoir
Hike around Merrill Creek Reservoir for views of the water with opportunities to spot wildlife.
Baldpate Mountain – Ted Stiles Preserve
Hike that includes a view towards the Delaware River and passes a few old farm buildings.
Helyar Woods at Rutgers Gardens
A small section of woods adjacent to Rutgers Gardens and Westons Mill Pond.
Mercer County Park
Easy trail that skirts the edge of Lake Mercer, travels through woods and along fields and streams.