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.

This park is filled with wonderful treasures! They have held so much within this park, I don't know…read morewhere to begin but I will say, there is something for everyone! They have a great field for baseball. Please note, Freehold Little League is held here so if there is a game, parking will be hard. They also have many playgrounds for kids. They seem to have themed playgrounds so that if you are meeting other parents, just say, "we'll convene at the blue or pirate ship playground" and everyone will find it. They have a fenced in skateboard ramps for tweens and up which I personally think is a fabulous idea. The ramps are spaced and curved only for skateboards. Longboards should definitely stay only on the paved paths where they belong. Speaking of trails, their trails are mixed between paved and dirt. You can safely go on a light walking trail here either solo or as you are walking your dogs. They also provide a few stations with plastic bags for the owners to clean up after their dogs. They also have basketball courts, dog runs, picnic areas, a spray ground on hot summer's days and my favorite, a sports field with obstacle courses. Perfect for the bigger kids with lots of energy and to build coordination. I went in March where things are just somewhat starting to bloom. I can only imagine the splendor in late June where everything will be fully bloomed and the grass will be lush. I look forward to revisiting this park, especially when it's Freehold Township Day where there will be plenty of fireworks, rides and the Vets car show!

FREEHOLD: Take your dog for a walk on the fitness trail that loops around the park for about 3…read moremiles and alternates between pavement and dirt with views of baseball and soccer fields and plenty of greenery. The path is mostly flat with a mix of sunny and shady areas with water fountains to cool down. Also, check out the baseball field on the east side of the park that is popular for some off-leash play in a fenced area (be sure to make sure all gates are shut).

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.

Mantoloking Bridge Pier Park and Fishing Pier is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With ample…read moreparking available, accessing the park is hassle-free. The fishing pier offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing day out. Whether you're an avid angler or simply seeking tranquility by the water, this park delivers an unforgettable experience. With its convenient location and picturesque setting, Mantoloking Bridge Pier Park is a gem worth visiting time and time again. Crabbing here always yields results and to the North is Point pleasant and to the South Toms River/Seaside so if you want to hit the shore and dine driving is easy, access from Rt. 35 or off 70 From Brick, a nice way to spend an afternoon and there are restrooms on site.

Amazing park! Children's park, boat launch ramp, and fishing peer. The people there are very…read morefriendly and the views are amazing

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 is a very cute place to go fishing!…read more They have a very large dock area for fishing with tons of benches. Even if a good amount of people are here to fish there is still plenty of space to spread out. I also love that there is a large playground area and very clean bathrooms. The park ranger was extremely friendly and had bandaids for us when my 3 year old clipped her finger with a fish hook (ooof). Plenty of parking and overall a fun and easy way to take my little kids fishing for the first time.

REVIEW IS FOR CABIN CAMPING…read more Whenever we need a little glamping getaway, we rent a cabin here. It's an easy drive, the staff are all very helpful, and the cabins are well maintained. Our cabin came with two rooms. The front room came with a full? maybe queen sized bed with a mattress. The back room had two bunk beds to accommodate a total of four people. Plenty of electrical sockets if you want to add an extra heater or fan. The front room has an AC unit. No bathroom, no kitchen. You get a nice sized spot facing mostly forest with a fire pit and a picnic table, which is great for cooking and eating. They also provide an outdoor spigot for non-potable water and a garbage bin. Easy walk to the very clean bathrooms where you can grab a hot shower if you want. Definitely book ahead.

Bradley Park is a great green open space between Convention Hall, the Berkeley Hotel, the Asbury…read moreHotel, and across from the beach! it is used for events and that includes the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce's Asburyfest! Asburyfest is normally a 3 day festival (this year's event (2023) was cut short to 1-day due to weather), filling a weekend with tons of food trucks, drinks, live music, vendors, and a gorgeous sunset. Asburyfest happens annually in September!

BRICK: The Sawmill Bike Path is a nature trail that is a great spot for a scenic walk through the…read morewoods with your pup. We think the trail goes in about 1-mile then back to the parking lot for another mile (Brie wanted to turn around before we got to the end). There is plenty of nature to sniff around and enjoy a peaceful break in the day.