Perfect hiking spot for you and your dog…read more 2-4 miles of clean, easy, safe trails. Many trash cans to chuck your dog's poop. All the trails are in loops so you won't get lost. Also, great spot to trail run. I will be back.

Great little piece of peace and quiet! Easy trails for a bike. Few people and enjoyable. Explore…read moreit, it's local and under appreciated!

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.

This center was adorable. I went on a play date with my daughter and her 5 friends , ages 10 months…read moreto 4 years old and it was perfect for them. When you enter you add a donation & go on your way. All the rooms are themed. It was a small center we were in and out within 30 min but they had a blast. As we were leaving there was a field trip from a school coming in. The kids looked about 10 years old. They quickly visited the center then headed for the canoes. I will definitely visit again before summer ends.

Beautiful, relaxing, quiet get away spot…read more There is something to be said about Jersey and the beautiful parks, reservoirs, acres and acres of trees and paths you can enjoy anytime of the year. Manasquan Reservoir is definitely my go to place for my weekly exercise, walking my pup and in general getting "lost" in my thoughts while I sit on one of the many benches donated for visitors to sit and watch the ripples of the water. As you walk along the few paths you see people out for their daily jog, power walking, biking or just leisurely strolling with their dogs. (on a leash of course). Mom groups with baby strollers, kids on nature walks with their school, its seriously just a wonderful place you can visit for free. I especially like that it is about 7 miles around from beginning to end and has lots of spots to rest and catch your breath. Because the summer can be warm and muggy here in NJ I try to do my walks early AM like everyone else- no joke its can get muggy nasty here..... in the fall and winter even with the cold air or light snow is not a problem I'll walk anytime. Hubby joins me on my walks and afterwards it's off to Meemon's for breakfast There are "johnny on the spot" bathrooms and I have yet to use one- but I see the staff cleaning them now and again. I just use the rest room in the visitor center- which by the way- the visitor is somewhere you should bring the kids, really informative and fun.

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.

Wow! As a mom of 3 littles and an avid park goer, I was impressed! This beautiful park is right in…read morethe bay, beautiful, and lots of fun. The slides are good and steep, there are plenty of swings, mini climbing wall, nice springy ride-on toys, and a tandem swing for toddler and mom or older sibling. There is a walking path and exercise equipment for parents with view of the playground and a nice picnic area in the middle of the park. The ground is spongy, so no scraped knees. I would recommend going in the morning or on a warm (but not too hot) day, since there is no shade. Also, bring a jacket if it is at all chilly, since the breeze blows from the bay into the park. Also, use the bathroom beforehand, since a portapotty is your only option once you are there. The park is free - definitely check it out! And then swing on over to the Popcorn Park Zoo when they open at 11.

One of the best parks in the area. Beautiful scenery, great atmosphere, clean, and a great change…read moreup from the normal park.

TOMS RIVER: Riverfront Landing County Park offers a gorgeous view of the Toms River (yes, it…read morereally exists!) and is a great spot to reflect at the memorials, watch boats sail by, and have a picnic on the lawn. There is no parking, so you will have to find a spot somewhere in town and walk over to the park. There is also a cool staircase across the street that goes into the police station parking lot.

TOMS RIVER: once you are done eating and drinking in Downtown Toms River, take a walk at Huddy…read morePark, a beautiful marina right on the Toms River. We had no idea that TR had so much history! There was a Revolutionary War battle right on the banks of the river and patriot Joshua Huddy was captured here and the town was left in ashes. This spot commemorates the history and in its modern days, has a farmers market and other events. It is really pretty and has a nice meandering path to walk around.

Huddy Park is one of the oldest parks in the region. It's named after Joshua Huddy, who was a…read morelocal militia commander during the Revolutionary War. The British actually attacked the village of Toms River because it was an important salt works village, and privateers from the village plundered British shipping vessels. Huddy Park has recently been all redone. It's a town park, as opposed to one with trails. There is a recreation of the blockhouse there which Joshua Huddy defended from the British. There is also a nice footbridge and a gazebo for concerts and weddings. They are trying to get more festivals to take place there.

This review is for Winding River Park, as opposed to just the skating rink, which is only part of…read morethe park. Winding River Park is owned by the Township of Toms River, so it's a municipal one. It's located west of the Parkway and has an entrance near the hospital and also around the neighborhood. It's been here all my life, and most people don't know what it was originally. It had been a horse ranch called Winding River Ranch. There was also a facility on the ranch called Winding River Ranch Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, which closed in the 1950s or 1960's. Today you have facilities for kids to play baseball and go on the playground equipment. There are also trails here, but what makes them stand out is that they are paved. So, it's good for bike riding, and another benefit is that it is easier to avoid ticks. Remember that the ticks here do not practice social distancing. They actually have relatively new bathroom facilities and park benches. There is a relatively new children's Memorial Gardens in there as well. It generally has a safe feel, too. Just today walking through everyone smiled and said hi to me, which is often not the case in North Jersey. Three stars instead of four or five because there's really nothing extraordinary about it. Although you do have views of the Toms River as it winds through the park, it's just OK. But it's worth going to if you want to go for a walk, don't want to pay the entrance fee, want to avoid ticks.

I go here to ride my bike and the people here are nice and say hello and I feel safe when riding…read morealone totally recommend!!! Nothing amazing here but it's nice if you want to go on a bike ride or a walk