About the State Park Service
An Invitation to Explore New Jersey's State Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas and Historic Sites
Experience first-hand New Jersey's natural and historic world. Discover the many special places in this astoundingly diverse state. Visit New Jersey's state parks forest, recreation areas and historic buildings and villages.
Follow the Appalachian Trail through the forest until it breaks out into stunning vistas of valleys and ridges, forests and farms. Walk the 50-mile Batona Trail through the fresh wild aromatic pine forests of the Pine Barrens. Swim in icy blue lakes formed when glaciers scraped the landscape.
Take a few days and discover a lifetime. Step back in time and visit Allaire Village, Batsto Village, the manor houses at Ringwood State Park or any of the historic sites in New Jersey. Climb to the top of a lighthouse and watch the ocean wash the shore. Follow the American Revolutionary Trail as it crisscrosses New Jersey and learn how this state played a pivotal role in the fight for democracy. The opportunities are endless. For more information about the NJ Division of Parks & Forestry or to receive a Calendar of Events, please call (800) 843-6420 or (609) 984-0370. Text telephone users: please call the NJ Relay Services at (800) 852-7899.
General Information
Discounts for Senior Citizens and Individuals with Disabilities
New Jersey residents age 62 or over and people who are totally disabled may obtain a pass entitling them to free admission and free parking upon providing adequate verification of their status. They also receive a $2 per night reduction in campsite rates.
Applications are available at the parks field office or by contacting the Division of Parks & Forestry in Trenton at (800) 843-6420 or (609) 984-0370 or on-line:
Disabilities passes are only issued by the Division of Parks & Forestry in Trenton
Discount Application for Senior Citizens and Individuals with Disabilities (Adobe Acrobat PDF format)
Access for People with Disabilities
The Division of Parks and Forestry is continuously improving access to camping accommodations and other facilities for visitors with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is on ongoing process, but many of the camping areas have partially accessible facilities.
Bass River, Belleplain and Stokes state forests each have at least one lean-to that is partially accessible to visitors with disabilities. Parvin State Park, Stokes State Forest and Wharton State Forest each have one or more partially accessible cabins. Spruce Run and Voorhees State park each have 3 accessible shelters. We encourage people with disabilities who require special considerations to contact the appropriate park, forest or recreation area office. The staff will assist with arrangements. Text telephone (TT) users, please call the NJ Relay Services at (800) 852-7899.
Keep it Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in state parks or forests. Thank you!
Pets in Parks
We know that your pets love parks too. Pets are welcome to our parks as long as they are kept on a leash six (6) feet or less in length and under the physical control of their handler at all times. Pets are prohibited from all buildings, swimming beaches and swimming waters, non-designated pet friendly campsites and overnight facilities. Remember, you are responsible for your pet's behavior at all times. Please clean up after your pet.
Cool off at the beach
Designated swimming areas in lakes are officially open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend throughout the state. Ocean bathing at Island Beach State Park opens mid-June.
Take to the trails
Over 600 miles of trails beckon the outdoor enthusiast. Some trails are designated for foot traffic only, while others accommodate bikers, horseback riders and hikers. ATVs and motorized bikes are not allowed.
Fishing and hunting
Anglers and hunters will find some of New Jersey's best fishing and hunting in many of the state parks and forests. Hunting and fishing are subject to the laws of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For information about fishing and hunting, please refer to the NJ Fish and Wildlife website or call the main information number in Trenton at (609) 292-2965.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey