you don’t have to go far to get away · don’t hide from the snow – embrace it! you don’t...
TRANSCRIPT
Don’t hide from the snow – embrace it! You don’t have to go far to experience a winter
wonderland. From Penn Station in NYC or downtown Hoboken, NJ, you’re just an hour
away from some of New Jersey’s most beautiful scenery. From snowy woodland trails to
birdwatching, picturesque bike tours, or snow sports – Middlesex County has outdoor
activities for everyone. Nature doesn’t stop when it gets cold – and neither should you.
Bundle up and get outside!
DID YOU KNOW?MIDDLESEX COUNTY HAS…
6,300+ acresof parks and conservation areas, perfect for hiking at any skill level
Historic towns and picturesque farmlandyou can tour and visit by bike
312 species of birds—some very rare—waiting to be sighted
Fish from bass to bluegillin our lakes, rivers, and sea
Winter Activitiestry cross-country skiing or snowshoeing
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GET OUT AND EXPLORE
Winter doesn’t have to be a time to stay cooped up indoors. In fact, it’s one of our
favorite seasons to get outside. Bundle up and explore hundreds of acres of parks,
woodlands, untouched preserves, and reclaimed farmland throughout Middlesex County.
Hikers get a unique chance to discover serene winter wonderlands and some of nature’s
most beautiful landscapes. We have hikes that are ranging from easy 1-mile loops to
intermediate 9-mile treks, to striking 34-mile trails. Come for a solo adventure or bring
the family on a daytrip.
Don’t forget to take photos and tag #discoverMiddlesex on social media.
› Thompson Park (8.96 mi): Wind your way through this public park and
conservation area, taking in the forests and fields around Manapalan Lake. Start
at the lodge on the White Trail. Then follow the outer loop to Gravel Hill, down
to Hoffman Station property and back.
› Mill to Pond (9.08 mi): Travel through one of the most picturesque areas of
Middlesex County. Begin at Davidson’s Mill parking lot then take the outer
loop at the Mill. Follow the Farrington Lake Trail north toward the Fisherman’s
Parking lot at the Forest Brook Trail to the Ireland Brook Trail. Be sure to visit
the ponds where you can spot distinctive plant and animal life. Return on
Farrington Lake Trail to the Mill.
› Jamesburg Park (7.5 mi): Experience one of the first protected areas in NJ at
this unique pine barrens conservation area, a heavily forested coastal
ecosystem. From the Bozza lot, take the Snuffy Hollow Trail. Cross Washington
Ave onto the Pitch Pine Loop, then cross Helmetta Blvd to Cedar Swamp
Trail. Continue on Pitch Pine Loop to the Snuffy Hollow Trail near the Port St. /
Washington Ave intersection. Follow Snuffy Hollow Trail to Lincoln Blvd and
continue to Bozza Spur.
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› Davidson Mill Pond Park: A tranquil spot in the heart of 482 acres of scenic former
agricultural land, these fun-but-tough switchback trails take you under thick forest
canopy and around babbling brooks all the way to the Davidson Mill Pond boat launch.
Located conveniently off of Route 130, no permit is required for visits or for blanket
picnics (no fires, please). Memorable features include a butterfly house, garden
displays, and a captivating waterfall.
› Cheesequake State Park: With easy-to-moderate trails and remarkable scenery,
Cheesequake State Park is famed for its unlikely range of contrasting natural vistas
including a swath of upland hardwood forest, a vast white-cedar swamp, and miles of
coastal saltwater marshes. Near the trailhead, the Nature Center helps visitors with
guidance on the best trails and sites. This is a great place to camp!
› Philips Preserve: For plant and animal diversity, little compares to the John A. Phillips
Preserve. Located in the heart of the ecologically rich Spotswood Outlier, hikers come
to catch sight of the colorful sugar maples, huckleberries, sweet pepperbushes, and
imposing pitch pines. With over 1,782 acres of trails, the park office produces handy
route guides and overviews of the region’s fascinating natural history. Hikers can spend
days here exploring the marshlands, sand trails, blueberry flats, and the stunning Pine
Glenn Spur.
› Heathcote Meadows Preserve: Nestled just outside the small village of Kingston, the
preserve offers a glimpse into the rich farming history of the area. Combined with
Heathcote Park, the Cook Natural Area, Mapleton Preserve and the Delaware &
Raritan Canal State Park, the Heathcote Meadows Preserve creates a dense belt
of foliage around the village of Kingston for fall leaf peepers. This provides stream
protection for Heathcote Brook and Carter Brook and wonderful opportunities for
hiking, walking, and wildlife viewing. Try a leisurely 1.4-mile hike or a more strenuous
34-mile adventure along the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath.
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BUNDLE UP AND GRAB YOUR BIKE
Even in winter, Middlesex County is a destination for cyclists and bike enthusiasts across
New Jersey. Put on your layers and hit the trails along our challenging, yet scenic routes
across snowscapes of rolling hillsides, serene fields and upland forest cover, before
breaking out into acres of meadows and open spaces. Grab your road bike to escape
the city and discover quaint historic downtowns as they become charming winter
wonderlands this time of year. Great for group trips, solo rides, or weekend adventures!
› This 15-mile loop starts at Princeton Junction and takes you
through the quaint, historic village of Cranbury with stops at local
farms, parks, and destinations like Cranbury Inn which has been
open since the mid-1600s.
› Add 10 miles to your ride and take a trip out to the animal haven
at Thompson Park where you can get up close to deer, peacocks,
pigs, goats, and more!
Getting there:
• Take NJ Transit to (or park at) Princeton Junction (about
1-hour ride from NY Penn Station)
› This 24-mile loop starts in New Brunswick, takes you through
the beautiful Dismal Swamp Preserve, with a stop at Thomas
Edison Center, then head toward to the Middlesex Greenway.
Add 10 miles to your trip and ride out to the High Street Municipal
Fishing Pier in Perth Amboy.
› This 41-mile loop starts in New Brunswick, goes through Raritan Bay Waterfront Park,
stops at Helmetta Pond and the Jamesburg Park Conservation Area, then continues on
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the Middlesex Greenway towards Johnson Park.
Getting there:
• Take NJ Transit to (or park at) New Brunswick Train Station
(35 - 50 mins from NY Penn Station)
› White Trail at Cheesequake State Park: This 2.5 miles of
looping, swooping bike trail—famous for its scenery, as well as its
challenging twists and turns—is not for the faint of heart. A short
but adventurous ride, the trail continues onto additional park trails
if you want to keep biking. It also links to Arrowpoint, which offers
striking marshland views.
› Thompson Park: Packed with hillside and hard-pack trails that are
open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike, this complex of
short-to-medium sized trails cuts close to a local zoo, disc golf
course, and lakeside scenery. Great for experienced and beginner
bikers who want a quick, challenging ride that will get
your heartrate going.
› Delaware & Raritan Canal Tow Path: Once a path for mules and
horses to tow cargo along the canal, the 69.5-mile D&R Canal
State Park Trail is now one of the most popular recreational
areas in New Jersey. The trail stretches from New Brunswick
to Trenton and is an absolutely spectacular ride featuring
open fields, freshwater estuaries, stone walls, cobblestone
spillways, historic covered bridges, and old-growth forest.
With many unique places to visit along the way, this is a
great ride for groups and day-trippers alike. Commuters
click here for navigation from the New Brunswick Train
Station to the northern entrance of the towpath.
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Note: Always remember to wear a helmet and use proper road safety. While some of these routes use biking trails, please be aware the majority of your ride will be on a public road. For accurate times and distances, make sure Google Maps is set to cycling (located in the blue menu bar).
LOOK FOR RARE WINTER BIRDS
Winter can be a wonderful time for bird watching and a great way to connect with
nature. Step outside, look up, and you could see any one of our hundreds of unique
bird species in the snow-covered trees. Whether you’re a novice or expert bird
watcher, you’ll be surprised to spot some fascinating, and even rare birds here.
Check out one of our beautiful preserves or parks below and you just might discover
a new passion.
Never birded before? Well check out any of these beautiful preserves or parks below and
you just might discover a new passion. Here are a few birds to be on the lookout before.
› Snowy Owl: Tamarack Hollow Preserve: This collection of heavily
wooded forests and farmland with a few miles of hiking trails is a
favorite destination of local birders.
› Yellow Rumped Warbler: Dismal Swamp: “The Everglades of
Central NJ” have over 200 species of birds in a thriving wetlands
ecosystem— there’s nothing dismal about it!
› Dark Eyed Junco: Rutgers Ecological Preserve: A wooded
conservation area with close to ten miles of trails through the
largest forest in the area.
› Red-Throated Loon: Old Bridge Waterfront Park: A shoreline park
with an abundance of water birds that can be viewed from the coast
or by boat.
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› Barrow’s Goldeneye: Perth Amboy Waterfront: The historic
seaside hotspot is not just a fun getaway for weekenders but
also a natural habitat for gulls, grebes, and more.
› Pine Grosbeak: John A. Phillips Open Space Preserve: As
the largest preserve in the Middlesex County Parks system, this
preserve includes hundreds of acres of wetlands and heavily
forested uplands. It lies within the Spotswood Outlier – the
northernmost area of New Jersey Pine Barrens, and more than
50 species of nesting birds have been identified here.
› White Throated Sparrow: Woodbridge River Watch: Home to
over 90 acres of preserve and a popular wildlife sanctuary full of
interesting flora, fauna, and local history.
› Bald Eagle: Edison Boat Basin and River Walk: Quaint, cozy
gazebos line this rebuilt boardwalk along the Raritan river, with
plenty of space for glassing the riverfront and snapping photos,
which you’ll definitely want to do if you spot a bald eagle!
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Middlesex County is home to the NJ Audubon Society, located in the
Plainsboro Preserve. Get expert advice about local birding hotspots, walk
the five miles of trails, or just take in the scenery on this 1,000-acre wildlife
sanctuary. For an in-depth resource that highlights hundreds of species of
birds spotted in Middlesex County, check out this report.
THE FISH ARE STILL BITING
It may be cold out, but the fish are still biting. Whether you’re looking for lake, river, pond,
or saltwater fish, Middlesex County offers a variety of waterfront parks filled with bass,
pickerel, and catfish, to name a few. Fish don’t hibernate, so why should you?
Check out some of our favorite fishing spots:
› Trout, Crappie, Bluegill: Roosevelt Park Pond:
Earn some bragging rights by reeling in stocked
trout, yellow perch, bluegill, and channel catfish (casting
from shore). And, when you’re done visit the Veterans’
Memorial and local sculptures in this historic park.
› Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Sunfish:
Davidson's Mill Pond: Pick up some pickerel and sunfish (casting
from shore or boat) and enjoy free use of the small launching
ramp and the scenic waterfalls and garden displays.
› Striped Bass:
Raritan Bay: Enjoy a beautiful day on the bay at this serene waterfront park,
where youcan fish from a boat or go crabbing on the shore.
› Carp, Catfish, Eel: Donaldson Park: Bring in a boatload of carp, perch, and catfish (casting
form shore) while taking advantage of the boat ramp and public dog park.
› Striped Bass, Perch: New Brunswick Landing: Catch striped bass and bluefish (casting
from shore) anytime between sunrise and sunset and also enjoy a floating dock and free
boat slips.
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› Stocked Trout: Ireland Brook Park: This
serene conservation area boasts a spectacular
lake and unique rock formations found
nowhere else in the County.
› Largemouth Bass, Bluegill: Johnson Park:
Hook a bucketful of channel catfish and
bluegill (casting from shore or boardwalk).
Bring the kids along to enjoy the picnic groves
and fun animal haven with pigs, goats, llama,
deer, and more.
For information about each location, available
fish, and where to cast, you can visit the
Middlesex County website here.
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* Don’t forget to pick up your freshwater fishing license. Everyone between
the ages of 16 and 69 must have a license and an additional trout stamp if
you plan on trout fishing. For more information and to purchase a license,
visit the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife.
BRING ON THE SNOW!
When Middlesex County transforms into a winter wonderland, there’s no better time to get
outside and explore the snowy landscape. Strap on some snowshoes and experience a
new kind of hike – on top of the snow; breathe in the cold air while cross-country skiing
and gain a new perspective of our open spaces and parks; or just relish in the peaceful
tranquility of a bright, winter morning.
› Cross-Country Skiing
Looking for an exciting and challenging winter sport? Try cross country skiing! Nothing feels
more like winter than gliding quietly across the frozen snow.
• Take a lap around the Farm Road Trail in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park (North
Brunswick). The open fields of Heathcote Meadows Preserve (South Brunswick) also
offer another wonderful opportunity for cross country skiers.
• The Middlesex Greenway stretches from Metuchen through Edison and into
Woodbridge. It is not plowed during the winter and
provides a great opportunity for cross-country skiing.
› Snowshoeing or Winter Hiking
Snowshoeing is a great winter activity when there is 6 or
more inches of snow on the ground. And, hiking is great
any time of year! Some of our favorite hikes have been
when there is a beautiful dusting of snow on the ground.
• The pristine forest of the Thompson Park
Conservation Area (Monroe Township) offers a
moderately challenging introduction to the sport of
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snowshoeing. Try the Gravel Hill Trail located at the soccer fields on Prospect Plains
Road in Monroe Township.
• The Tamarack Hollow Preserve in East Brunswick is the perfect escape for the
snowshoer looking for a tranquil winter setting. This quiet and serene preserve
has two miles of trails winding through an oak forest, punctuated by the beautiful,
evergreen leaves of mountain laurel.
• Your winter hiking experience won’t be complete until you try the Farrington Lake
Trail. Connecting Davidson’s Mill Pond Park to Ireland Brook Conservation Area, the
trail follows the shoreline of Farrington Lake and the Lawrence Brook. The trail offers
spectacular views of the lake and unique rock formations found nowhere else in
the County. It is the perfect place for spotting wintering waterfowl and wading birds
including a variety of ducks, geese, cormorants, herons and egrets.
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www.middlesexcountynj.gov