National Parks in New Jersey

The Map of New Jersey National Parks provides information on the several national parks, monuments, recreational centers, and historical places of the state. Some of the renowned national parks of the State of New Jersey are Ellis Island National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Great Egg Harbor River, Delaware National Scenic River, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, Edison National Historic Site, New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, Morristown National Historical Park, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers tourists a unique opportunity to explore the picturesque landscape through hiking.

The Ellis Island National Monument was founded on the 1st of January in the year 1892. The Ellis Island National Monument is the foremost immigration station of the State of New Jersey. The Edison National Historic Site provides complete information on the life of Thomas Edison. One of the notable Biosphere Reserve of the United States of America, the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve is famous for its variety of bird species. The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route is known for its exotic beaches, beautiful villages, and different species of birds.

The New Jersey State Map pinpoints the exact geographical location of the national parks.

Does New Jersey Have a National Park?

Yes, there are 11 National Parks in New Jersey.

Best National Parks in New Jersey

1. New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve (Southeastern New Jersey, NJ)

   New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve is classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve. It was established as the first National Reserve of the US by Congress back in 1978. A partnership was formed in 1979 between New Jersey and the federal government for preserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural/cultural resources of this special place.

   This park is spread over 7 southern New Jersey counties, encompassing more than 1-million acres of farms, wetlands, and forests. There are 56 communities that live in the hamlets and suburbs of New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. Estimates reveal that more than 700,000 permanent residents live in this reserve.

   New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve occupies 22% of the land area of New Jersey. Between Richmond and Boston, this reserve is the largest open space body on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. Dozens of rare plant and animal species can be found in the reserve. Around 17 trillion gallons of water are estimated to be there in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system.

   The New Jersey Pinelands Commission has implemented the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan for protecting the Pinelands. It maintains the unique ecology of the region by permitting compatible development.

    

   The physical address of New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve is 15 Springfield Road, New Lisbon, NJ 08064. Spring and fall are the best time for visiting because the temperature varies from 50 ℉ (10 ℃) to 70 ℉ (21.1 ℃). It remains sunny during summer with some rainfall. The temperature varies from 70 ℉ (21.1 ℃) to 90 ℉ (31.2 ℃). Time your visit by having a fair idea of the climate and weather in and around the reserve.

Best National Historic Parks in New Jersey

1. Morristown National Historical Park (Morristown, NJ)

   Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the winter encampment of General Washington and the Continental Army from December 1779 to June 1780. The army survived through the coldest winter on record. A museum and library collection maintaining the memoirs of the encampments, George Washington, and items related to pre-and-post-Revolutionary America.

   The physical address of the visitor center is 586 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. The address of Washington’s Headquarters Museum is 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07052.

   The grounds of the park remain open round the year, except for Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day. It opens at 8 am. However, depending upon the season and time of the year, it closes at different times. The buildings in this national park remain open from Wednesday to Sunday during 10 am – 4 pm. During summertime, these buildings remain open for expanded days and hours.

   Currently, all the buildings are closed. However, the trails and the grounds remain open from 8 am to 5 pm. No entrance fees are there. Both at the Washington Headquarters Museum and the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, public WiFi facility is available. Depending on the location and your service provider, the cellular coverage can be spotty in the Jockey Hollow and New Jersey Brigade areas.

2. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (Paterson, NJ)

   The first planned city of America was Paterson, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. It was established in 1792. This city manufactured everything from steam locomotives, airplane engines, cotton, silk fabrics, to continuous paper rolls. It is this planned industrial city that helped change the face of the United States. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park tells you the story of those bygone days when the industrial revolution was in its first stage.

   The physical address of this park is 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501. If you are driving from New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway, you have to take exit 155P on left to Route 19 towards west Route 80 Paterson. In the south, you have to take Exit 159 (Saddlebrook) on your right. Make your second right onto I-80 West (Paterson) after taking the exit.

   When you are driving from Interstate 80 (I-80) to the west, take Exit 57 A-B. Follow the Downtown Paterson sign after taking Exit 57- B Downtown Paterson. If you are moving towards east from I-80, take Exit 57- B. Now, take exit Route 80 west Grand St./ Del Water Gap and keep to the right for the Grand Street exit ramp.

   It remains open every day. During the winter season, some park facilities and roads remain closed. At the Welcome Center, a free public WiFi facility is available. Throughout the entire park, cellular services are usually available.

3. Thomas Edison National Historical Park (West Orange, NJ)

   Visit Thomas Edison National Historical Park and discover where the greatest inventions happened and ultimately helped change the world. This national historical park preserves the house of America’s one of the greatest inventors.

   The physical address of the park is 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052. While driving from the Garden State Parkway, take exit 145. Take Exit 15W to Route 280 West if you’re driving from the New Jersey Turnpike. Now, take Route 280 West to Exit 10 and then turn right to Northfield Avenue. Take a second light turn to the Main Street and then drive 0.75 miles (1.2 km) to either the parking on the left or Laboratory Complex on the right.

   Take exit 9 from Route 280 and then take a left turn to Main Street at a second traffic light. Drive just 0.50 mile (0.8 km) to either the parking on the left or Laboratory Complex on the right. WiFi access is available only in the visitor center’s theater area. However, strong cellular service is available in almost all areas of the park.

   It remains cool during both the spring and fall seasons. However, it remains warm and humid during summer. Winter remains cold and snowy. Therefore, you should take an adequate dress as per the weather. During inclement weather, you may need jackets or rain gear to walk from one building to another in the park. Rain gears and umbrellas are essential gears that you should keep while visiting Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

Best National Monuments in New Jersey

1. Ellis Island – Part Of Statue Of Liberty National Monument (NJ, NY)

   Ellis Island tells you the story of 12 million immigrants who passed through the halls during 1892-1954. It showcases the true spirit of America that gave the immigrants the opportunity to realize their and their descendants’ American dreams. Visit Ellis Island to listen to their stories.

Best National Scenic Trails in New Jersey

1. Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Maine to Georgia, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV)

   The Appalachian Trail is a more than 2,180 miles (3,508 km) long public footpath. It traverses through the Appalachian Mountains. The idea of creating such a scenic trail was first conceived in 1921. The private citizens started building this and it was completed in 1937. Take a trip down this scenic trail to explore the beauty of the wild, scenic, wooded, and pastoral lands of the Appalachian Mountains.

2. Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC)

   Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail preserves the historical alliance between General Washington’s Continental Army and General Rochambeau’s French Army in 1781. These two forces joined to fight the British Army in Virginia’s Yorktown.

   This allied army moved hundreds of miles and became the American Revolution’s largest troop movement. The historic cooperation and joint effort helped the allied forces triumph over the British Army at Yorktown, securing American independence. Witness the history unfold before you along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.

Best National Recreation Area in New Jersey

1. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (HQ in Bushkill PA; the park is along the Delaware River in the states of NJ, PA)

   Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area includes the valley that witnessed human hand and voice for 10,000 years. If you are a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast, or love hiking, this is the place you should be.

   Scan the valley from the ridges, wade the trout streams, slip down the river between low forested mountains, and peer into the 1000-foot-deep Water Gap. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, spread over 70,000-acres, gives you the chance to unwind and seek the outdoors close to home.

2. Gateway National Recreation Area (Brooklyn, Queens & Staten Island, New York, and Monmouth County, New Jersey, NY, NJ)

   Gateway National Recreation Area is spread across a total area of 27,000 acres. It starts in New Jersey’s Sandy Hook and continues till New York City’s Breezy Point. It works as a gateway to both New York Harbor (from the ocean) and the National Park Service for millions of visitors every year. Along with the historic structures and cultural landscapes, you’ll find green spaces and beaches.

Best National Rivers in New Jersey

1. Great Egg Harbor River (NJ)

   The Great Egg Harbor River is 59 miles (95 km) long in southern New Jersey. Beginning from suburban towns, it drains 304 square miles (787 sq km) of pristine wetlands in Pinelands National Reserve on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Locally, the river is also known as the “Great Egg”. It is close to Trenton and Camden (New Jersey), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and Wilmington (Delaware).

   On its way to Great Egg Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, the river picks up waters from 17 tributaries and widens. The river system is spread over 129 miles (208 km). Great Egg Harbor River was established by Congress in 1992.

   No matter who you are, you can always enjoy the view and adventure along the banks of this unique system. The most common visitors to this national park include backpackers, bikers, bird watchers, hikers, fishing enthusiasts, boating lovers, hunters, kayaking, nature walkers, stargazers, wildlife viewers, and many more.

2. Lower Delaware National Wild And Scenic River (PA, NJ)

   The Delaware River is the largest free-flowing river in the eastern part of the US. It flows through villages, farmlands, and forests, linking the most densely populated regions in America. The key segments of the lower Delaware River were organized to form the Lower Delaware National Wild And Scenic River under the National Park System in 2000.