Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

NJ State Park Service LogoNJ State Park Service Logo

 

PARK ADVISORY:Allaire State Park Family Campsites are currently closed due to the construction of a new bathroom/shower facility. Group Camping is not affected and is open April 1st through December 15th.

For a complete list of State Park Service managed campgrounds please click here.

Allaire State Park Overview

Travel back in time with a visit to 19th century Allaire Village.

Allaire State Park is probably best known for its historic 19th-century iron making town, Allaire Village, and the Pine Creek Railroad, a narrow-gauge train ride. The Manasquan River, which winds through the park, provides excellent opportunities for freshwater fishing. The river’s floodplain provides habitat for over 200 species of wildflowers, trees and plants as well as habitat for birds and other wildlife. Hiking and multi-use trails are throughout the park.

The historic village was known as the Howell Works in the early 19th-century. At that time, it was a thriving industrial community which produced pig and cast iron. The buildings, which remain today, include a general store, blacksmith shop, carpenter’s shop, manager’s house, foreman’s house and a church. One of the workers' row house buildings is now the Allaire Visitor Center and Museum.

Allaire Village Inc.(link is external), a nonprofit corporation, sponsors numerous programs and events annually, including living history events, antique shows, arts & craft shows and flea markets.

Established in 1953, the Pine Creek Railroad is an example of rail travel at the height of the steam era in the United States. The diesel, narrow-gauge trains are operated by the NJ Museum of Transportation(link is external). For more information, call 732-938-5524.

Exhibits on the 19th-century bog iron industry, the Howell Works (original name for Allaire Village), and its owner, James P. Allaire provide an introduction to Allaire Village. The visitor center is open seasonally and for special events, please call the Allaire State Park office at 732-938-2371 for operating hours.

Trails
A network of trails winds through the park providing opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Several moderate hiking trails are in the main day use area of the park, close to the main parking area. The “South Side” area of the park is approximately 800 acres of varying terrain and has miles of unmarked trails as well as four primary marked multi-use trails. The South Side trails trailhead is off a large gravel parking lot located on Hospital Road.

General Guide to the trails at Allaire State Park

Trail Map

Trail Map

Online reservations can be made at Camping.NJ.gov(link is external). To make a reservation over the phone, please call the park office at 732-938-2371.

Campsites:
There are forty-five tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets and shower facilities are within walking distance. Trailer sanitary station is open April 15 through October 15. Campsites are open from April 1 - December 15.

Shelters:
There are ten shelters. Shelters are cabin-like structures with wood stove for heat and two double-deck bunks, which sleep up to four people. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Accessible to persons with disabilities. Shelters are open from April 1 - December 15.

Group campsites:
Six group sites with fire rings, picnic tables. Sites A, B, C, and D hold a maximum capacity of 50 people. Fee: New Jersey Resident $100 per night; Non Resident $200, per night. Sites E and F hold a maximum capacity of 25 people. Fee: NJ Resident $50 per night; Non Resident $100 per night. Open open from April 1 - December 15.

Nature Center open seasonally. Please call 732-938-2371 for operating hours.

To help preserve the park's flora and fauna, large areas of Allaire State Park have been left in their natural state. The floodplain of the Manasquan River bisects the park and provides an excellent habitat for plant species not usually found in the Jersey Shore region. Over 200 species of wildflowers, trees, shrubs and other plants have been identified within the park.

Picnic facilities are provided for family outings in attractive wooded settings adjacent to the village. Charcoal grills, tables and sanitary facilities are provided.

Located along the Atlantic flyway, Allaire provides a feeding and resting place for migrating birds. A large variety of bird species may be observed throughout the year.

Fishing
Annual trout stocking of the Manasquan River ensures excellent opportunities for the freshwater anglers. Fishing is subject to New Jersey's Fish and Wildlife Laws(link is external); prior knowledge of these laws will make your fishing experience at Allaire state Park more enjoyable.

Hunting
View the State Park Service areas open to hunting for 2022
A portion of Allaire State Park is available for deer hunting only. For information about hunting, refer to theNew Jersey Fish and Wildlife Digest(link is external) or contact the park office.

A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters. 

To learn more about Special use Permits click here.

Access for Persons with Disabilities
The Allaire State Park recreational and historic facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Additional information can be obtained in our Please contact the park office at 732-938-2371 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]

Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Keep Your Park Clean and Green Protect plants and animals and care for your park by taking your trash with you. Unless you're camping, 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 this park. Thank you!

Swimming
No swimming.

Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.

Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.

Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.

Photo Gallery

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Related Links

Allaire Village Inc.
NJ Museum of Transportation

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
732-938-2371

Address
4265 Atlantic Ave.
Farmingdale, NJ 07727

Email Address
allaire@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Park Office Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Park Fees
Entrance Fee Free entry for the 2023 season.

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
40.162150, -74.131264