I'm generally not an advocate of hiking in the rain (or really whenever anything is falling from…read morethe sky), but this is definitely the place to do it if you're going to. The Millennial Chum and I made our Pine Barrens hiking debut here this past Saturday, which was rainy and hovering in the high 40s. Our itinerary was very straight-forward - it was an 8.5-mile hike along the white trail (my ye olde pre-Sandy NJ hiking book identifies it as the Penns Hill Trail, but the website for Wells Mills cites it as the Macri trail; regardless, it's the white one), which is basically one giant loop circling Wells Mills Lake, though it veers much further west than that at several points. Our book claimed this would take four to five hours, which we thought was a ridiculous overestimate and was - we did this in a little over three hours, though we're both in good shape and really didn't stop. We were both enormously impressed by the facilities and trail markings here. The Nature Center at the beginning of the hike looks and is pretty spiffy, with a toasty, clean bathroom and helpful kiosks with maps to grab (handheld maps are not a given in this day and age). They DID run out of hand soap, but I think any of us would take a warm, functioning indoor plumbing situation over what we usually have to deal with. There was one time late in the hike when we stopped to peer around for the next marking, but we literally found it about five seconds later. Given that a lot of the trails overlap, turn and often cut into or across non-hiking fire trails, I thought they did a great job denoting the specific routes. I expected the entire hike to be flat, which is my general/uninformed impression of the Pine Barrens, but it actually had a few ups and downs over dune-like, woody hills, especially in the first two miles. Nothing crazy, and while we stopped for a few water breaks at the top of those mounds, we never felt obligated to pause to catch our breaths. I'm at a point in 2023 where I'm gauging the strenuousness of an activity based on what my Fitbit says, and it claimed I had no zone moments, which is essentially high cardio activity. So take that for what you will. Regardless, I think this is also a selling point, as I've actually been reluctant to hike around here due to the lack of terrain; definitely adds some character. The viewpoint situation was not my favorite. On a rainy day like this, you're treated to an X-files-esque view of a lake right at the beginning, complete with Vancouver-like pine trees (if you know, you know), but this is not a hike where you're going to end up looking out over anything; even the tops of the hills are in the middle of the woods, so you're just looking at the same trees you were looking at when you were at the bottom, just...higher. The other downside (depending on your perspective) is that this is probably the best kind of weather for the Pine Barrens in many ways, but it's hazardous. This hike has many boardwalks throughout the damper/swampier areas, but they get very slippery when it's rainy. I don't believe either of us legit lost our footing but we both hollered, 'Careful!' a lot. I'd recommend some tread on the hindpaws. I suspect due mostly to the weather, the wildlife and canine chum situations were terrible. We saw a pooch in the parking lot getting ready for a walk, but never encountered one during the entire 8.5 miles (and only saw a miserable-looking boy scout troop and two other people). Hopefully others have better luck. There was also a bright pink port-a-potty about halfway through right where the trail brushes up against the scout reservation, so if nature calls and you're trying to avoid direct body contact with pine needles dot dot dot. A lot of the hiking intangibles are here, so it's hard not to recommend this for just about anyone, regardless of skill level. It's not the kind of hike I'd do for a real workout, but to just get some fresh air and steps in? It's a nice change of pace if you're in the area.

Wells Mills County Park is the largest county park in Ocean County. It's substantial actually. It…read moreactually feels more like a state park because the trails are longer and more involved. There's no admission fee to enter, which is great. You can just hang out closer to the main entrance by the lake. You can also go down the trails for just a little bit and come back. So, it can be what do you make of it. They have trails of all different lengths, however. The trails interconnect, so you can "cheat" and don't have to go down the full length of them. The green trail takes about an hour and a half to walk around. The white trail is windier and a little bit more scenic. The white trail also goes down much closer to the lake and through the cedar or swamp next to the lake. The yellow trail is very long. I've been on parts of it, but I've heard that it's relatively boring. One day I will want to walk the whole distance of it because it's close to 10 miles long. While most parks in Ocean County tend to be flat like a pancake, there's a little bit more elevation here. Some parts of the green and white trail would be easy to moderately difficult. But the trails are well blazed, and it's not terrible. Be careful because the trail map that I found online is old, and they have since updated it. When you come in there's a board that has a map posted. You can pick up an updated trail map there. It's also recommended that you sign in if you are going to be hiking for a distance. You don't want to get stuck in there and have the gates close on you. It's for your safety. There is a canoe launching dock on the lake, as well. When my friend comes next summer, who is a big kayaker, then I'll try it out. But I mostly go just for exercise and to go on the trails now. The park has a very safe feel, and I feel comfortable walking there. People generally say hi to you when you pass them on the trail. The only thing you need to worry about is ticks that may cause Lyme disease. So, make sure that you check for ticks, and take a shower as soon as you get home from there.

Now that I know DT better, I'm upgrading it to four stars. Most of my original comments are still…read morevalid but I've come to appreciate the historical stuff more, and I also recommend the hike to Sworden's Pond.

Although I grew up right around here, I just never went until today. All our municipal and county…read moreparks have been closed because of the Coronavirus, and I needed to get out. So, I came here. I promise I didn't touch anything, and I socially distanced from others. Definitely bring bug spray and check for ticks. This park is infested with them. The ticks here do not practice social distancing. I made sure to shower right afterwards too. Today I took the red trail. It passed by the dam and went along a creek. There were people launching kayaks. I also passed by a cemetery of the family who used to own the land when it was a mill. There's history here. I know somebody whose family used to work here on the mill a hundred years ago. Logging in the Pacific Northwest eventually put them out of business. But there's a surviving old village. Nothing wowed me altogether. Cattus Island Park in Toms River is way cooler with cool marshes, bay views, and more animals. But it had free admission just to walk around. I laughed at all the lazy people fighting for parking spots. Aren't you here for some exercise? I just parked hassle free across the street.

Love this place! Different entrances, beautiful scenery and wildlife, very well maintained. Great…read moretrails, nice place to be in touch with nature & our dog loves it as much as we do. Warning--it's very wet after snow & rain.

My favorite place to walk through. So peaceful and well maintained. Occasional water views and easy…read moreto follow trails.

Ocean Acres Lake Park is one of those local gems that reminds you why simple outdoor spaces matter…read more It's peaceful, clean, and such a pretty spot to walk, relax, or let the kids burn off some energy. The lake view is beautiful year-round -- whether it's summer sunshine or fall colors, it always feels calm and inviting. The walking path is easy and kid-friendly, and there's plenty of room for families, fishing, stroller walks, or just taking a breather from the day. It's the kind of neighborhood park you end up appreciating more and more because it's reliable, safe, and genuinely enjoyable.

This park is so big and beautiful , the sunset was so beautiful …read more They have bathrooms and awesome live entertainment. The town residents , park vendors and park management are all so nice and welcoming. Beautiful place to be on a nice summer day

Great park for kids nice slides place to run around pack a lunch and hang out by lakeread more

It's a tiny state forest in comparison to other places in America, especially out west and in New…read moreEngland, but for NJ citizens it is a nice respite from the congested areas of the state. I've been here multiple times whether driving through on my way down the shore, or hiking the Batona Trail, or most recently, camping at the lone campground close to the park HQ. We had campsite #60 which is on the edge of the campground so it's a little more secluded. The best and most secluded spots in my opinion are 66, 59 and 58. The campground has indoor flush toilets and showers, as well as several hand pumped water wells throughout. Each campsite has a picnic table, a fire ring, and a hook to hang trash bags from. Brendan T Byrne State Forest is a small part of the Pinelands which is a U.S. Biosphere Reserve due to its biodiversity and was designated as the country's first National Reserve by Congress in 1978. The Pinelands is a beautiful area of New Jersey and well worth exploring, and this state forest is a great spot to do it, with its many trails, ponds, streams and dirt roads.

This state park is in the Pine Barrens... I've been here many times... It has quite a few trails…read moreand Pakim Pond area of the park... It also has RV and travel trailer areas to enjoy... They don't provide electricity, so you'll have to do some boondocking.... But they don't offer showers and toilets within walking distance... They also have a dump station that may or may not be locked... Jersey residents get a discount...

Since I go walking with a group on most Sundays, we heard that Riverwood Park has trails. It's an…read moreold park, which has a lot of history in Toms River. It's located right in busy Toms River. So, we checked it out. The front part of the park has athletic fields and an indoor covered dome for kids' athletic events. We saw lots of kids going in for that. We walked to the back of the park and saw the trailhead. The trails could be more clearly blazed. There was a map, but it was hard to follow. Still, we really enjoyed how the trails followed along the headwaters of the Toms River, where it looks more like a creek. There are lots of picnic tables at picturesque bends of the river. It seems as if you might be able to camp there, too, as campsites were marked, but we don't know for sure. There's no fee to enter or use the facilities. It's a fairly nice park, but there are better ones. I would recommend Cattus Island Park first.

My grandchildren love this playground!! Plenty of room to run…read moreand lots of equipment to keep them occupied. Swings for big and little kids. A separate area for younger children with smaller slides and climbing equipment. Not to mention actual bathrooms in a nearby building!!

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. .