This is my second hike at this park. I believe I have hiked through all the trails at this point…read more It is very scenic and overall I give it a 2/10 in terms of difficulty. The red and purple trails were my favorite. On my second trip here I wanted to hike for about an hour but I ended up getting lost. Lost in terms of I want to get out but I don't know which way is the exit...I could definitely see the trail markers all throughout though! I recalled seeing a red color marker at the entrance so I followed that but ended up going deeper into the woods. I don't believe the white trail is fully finished as I had to double back a few times. I used google maps to get a sense of where I was but still couldn't make my way to the main road. Went in circles between the blue and green trails (the green trail said it was a 5K, not going to lie I got a bit worried there) but eventually I managed to make my way to Bortons road! and then it was another 30 min walk to my car along kettle run road. So what was supposed to be an hour nice weekend stroll ended up being 2 1/2 hours. Can't complain though, loved exploring!

I am truly NOT the outdoorsy type but I will agree to the occasional hike or bike ride and this was…read moreone of those days. We decided to explore Black Run Preserve for our first bike trail experience since moving to the area and it didn't disappoint. There are plenty of bike and hiking trails and doing a little research online prior to going I was able to map out which trails would be best for us, specifically since I'm a nervous beginner lol. The trails are color coded and tbe associated color markings are on trees along the trails so you know which trail you're on. There is so much beautiful scenery surrounding you whether you're on bike or foot and there's a real sense of peace and tranquility in the Preserve, Definitely spray yourself down with bug repellent and wear longer pants and tops if it isn't too hot because there are warning signs for ticks and such given it's truly a wooded area. We will be back in the fall for another ride among the beautiful foliage.

The Batona Trail is one of the most underrated things to do in all of South Jersey. One possible…read morereason people don't know about it is because nobody makes money off it. It's not a business. It's a 53.5 mile trail through the Pine Barrens. It starts at Ongs Hat in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, continues south through Wharton State Forest, and ends at Bass River State Forest. You will see lots of abandoned cranberry bogs, cedar and pitch pine forests, and ruins of colonial era iron furnaces. It was started in 1961 by a hiking club. The trail is well blazed with pink. Be careful of ticks. The trail is only moderately difficult because of length. You can hike it all at once as long as you have three or four days, but you need to camp. You need a camping permit from the state forest office. I've been doing it in stages as day hikes as I'm just parking at one of the roads that cuts through it each time.

Blueberry Hill is my favorite place to walk It has…read morewheelchair accessible You're definitely burning calories There are hills you can climb Different signs along the way some trails have pretty flowers. I recommend this place to anyone.

Nice place for a scenic walk on mostly paved trails, and there was indeed some blueberries growing…read moreat the top of that hill! GPS brought me to a parking lot near the red trail, and there are several intersecting in-and-out trails that measure roughly 2.5 miles each. I would've liked to stay longer and check them all out, but we only had time to do 1.5 trails before we had to turn back. If I lived nearby I would check it out again!

Staff are super nice, great taste in music inside the shack check-in store place, and a very…read moreentertaining ride to the Mullica River with lots of local information and fun facts along the way. Highly recommend for a fun day trip and you can even get an overnight camping excursion I think? We went for the beginner 2 mile canoeing jaunt. The native flowers & bird watching were amazing along our route. Getting over the beaver dam was a wee bit challenging but if we can do it with a surly teen & tweens... you can too!

Still coming back, year after year. All excellent experiences!…read more It's not their job but, if the rivers were cleared of obstacles a little more, that would make it even better.

I've been coming here for years and if you've been here there shouldn't be any negative reviews…read more.. There are many trails to walk as well as area's to drive your 4x4... They also have area's to camp with an RV and tents... If your not into roughing it they also rent cabins... State residents get a discount on their stay... I've never camped here but it is an option for us... But I'd like to get a portable generator before we stay here for a few days... There's plenty to do and learn here... I'm sure we'll be back here for a few day trips before we finally come and stay for a few days...

Wharton State Forest is a great area of the Garden State to get away from the suburban sprawl and…read morethe densely packed roads and houses. It's located in the Pine Barrens, a roughly one million acre forest stretching across the southern portion of the state. There's a lot of history and natural beauty in the Pine Barrens. Tons of ponds and lakes and sandy trails to get lost on whether on foot or on bike or ATV. My son and I occasionally camp at Goshen Pond. It's a very primitive campground with nothing but a pit toilet and a hand pump for water in terms of amenities. Each campsite has a fire ring with cooking grate. Campsite #3 is nice as it's on the edge and somewhat secluded from the rest of the campground, but #13 and #14 are probably the best in terms of proximity to and view of the pond. We normally camp in the spring or fall. Would not recommend the summer as ticks and chiggers can be out of control.

This is a beautiful park and is well kept... This isn't a very big County Park but they do have a…read morefew trails... Their is also a walking bridge that connects to the trails... You will also notice that there's a small pond... The pond isn't tidal so it can be stagnant at times... There are a few standing grills there and a playground for the kids...

Very beautiful laid back park good for a nice walk or a peaceful picnic! It doesn't have much to…read morelook at or much to do but is convenient for a brisk walk.

This is a rather special Yelp. Its not for a restaurant or hotel or cafe or salon. Its for a ghost…read moretown. Yep. In New Jersey. In the Pine Barrens. Scared? No need to be. Its a superb day trip--a place unlike any other. You wont find tourists here; or probably any other living soul for miles around. Its just not that well-known enough. Its not an excursion accompanied by a lot of tourist-board support, advertising, or fanfare. There are no audioguides, no pamphlets, no maps. There's also no fees, gates, ticket-stands, trinkets, permits, or clerks. You can just park on the shoulder of the expressway, and mosey right in off the roadside. Its just a tract of deserted woodland. Its a part of New Jersey only a few people ever have reason to explore; its for the imaginative and intrepid. In the course of a year, the site probably only gets a couple photographers, an artist or two, or perhaps an author once in a while. Some 4WD-nuts pass by occasionally. [And this Yelp won't change that--even if I told you about great dining here, this place will always be forlorn and neglected.] Its the location of a vanished Piney town which sprang up in the 1800s around an iron-smelting furnace; and which has now almost completely disappeared from above-ground. Iron? There were iron mines in New Jersey? Not exactly. Its a strange chemical process, organically-occurring, whereby it forms in the swamps and bogs around here. You'll notice all the water is naturally 'tea'-colored. But all the left-behind equipment and abandoned buildings are now, just as if they never were. You might only notice some strange shapes --hummocks, berms--in the terrain and that's about it. This is where your imagination comes to the fore. You're strolling around on top of a village. Chalk one up for NATURE! If it doesn't grab your fancy, then..no matter--just wandering around in the Pine Barrens is in itself, ethereal and stupefying. Take care not to get lost; because the trees have an eerie manner of all looking exactly the same. A few unmindful steps can get you turned around. The Pine Barrens are just a fabulous and unique environment. People love to discredit the Garden State without ever having heard of forests like this. To try to explain: the soil is flat, level, and sandy and without underbrush--covered only with a carpet of pine needles. Thus, with the trees racing up so tall and straight--like columns in a church--and also branching so high; the effect is quite cathedral-like. Sun slants through as if coming through high windows. And its uncannily quiet. Like a big empty room. Just the coolest. Bring boots (its occasionally muddy) and a survival knife *just in case* of feral dogs. I recommend this excursion to all the Yelpers who like to make a fuss over their daring and adventurous, active lifestyles. You're not impressing me with your tour-guide led whitewater rafting adventures. Try exploring the Pine Barrens. .

Love waking the trails at FPR . Trails are well kept no trash on the ground.Beautiful scenery all…read morearound the trails. Peace and quiet! Friendly people walking the trails

This walk was a great find! Beautiful and very secluded scenery! We took the green trail which is…read moreabout 6.7 miles and came across a lot of wildlife (turtles, snakes, toads, bunnies, field mice). The only downfall was all of the ticks. We went in May and counted about 20 ticks on my husband alone. So long pants and socks are definitely recommended! Also, there can be rattle snakes on this trail so watch where you step!

Great place for a hike! Highly recommend getting the All Trails app if you're unfamiliar with the…read moretrails here but many are marked well with all signs or colors on the trees. Some higher elevation trails but the views are amazing.

Nestled in a nice little community, this park is a little off the beaten path and a good choice for…read morethose looking for a short hike without the crowds. The scenery changes a bit as you wind your way through the numerous trails. There are also a few geocaches hidden here, so it's the perfect place for families with young kids.

Nothing beats Laurel Acres Park. Great place to bring the family, friends and pets. They have 2 dog…read moreparks (large and small). A couple of nice playgrounds for little ones. Clean bathrooms. Great venue for concerts and sports events. Whether it's baseball or soccer, it's a great park for sports and watching. The path is around 1 mile which is great for walkers or joggers. During the pandemic, this park took the place of some gyms and exercise facilities. Entry on 2 sides---Church Rd and also Union Mill Road. Plenty of parking. Nice gazebos and picnic areas for parties and events. Enjoy the great view over the lake as you walk around. Sometimes they also have remote controlled boat races on the lake. Catch some nature while you're relaxing.

NIce decent park. I like the lakes and all. We had fun walking around the lake and people watching…read morewith their awesome pets and all. Families have get togetheree. s, and there are baseball fields and other sports here. I like it, it is a good park.