Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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Double Trouble State Park Overview

Explore the pristine waters of Cedar Creek and a pine barrens ecosystem surrounding a former company town.

The fresh, pure waters of Cedar Creek provided power and raw materials to a sawmill and large cranberry operation at Double Trouble Village. Today, this Pine Barrens "ghost town" is the heart of Double Trouble State Park.

Cedar Creek is a favorite with canoeists and kayakers, while hikers, photographers, mountain bikers and horseback riders enjoy the miles of marked trails through pine forests and cedar swamps.

Double Trouble State Park offers an outstanding example of the Pinelands’ pine barrens ecosystem and a window into New Jersey Pine Barrens history. The park provides the protection and interpretation of over 8000 acres of significant natural, cultural and recreational resources representative of the Pinelands National Reserve.

Double Trouble State Park is administered by Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.

The Double Trouble Historic District occupies over 200 acres and includes the village and surrounding bogs. The natural environment of cedar forest and rapidly flowing stream provided both raw materials and waterpower for an extensive lumber industry from the 1700s to the 1900s. As timber was cut, the cleared swampland created bog habitat ideal for growing cranberries, which began at Double Trouble Village in the 1860s. By the 20th century, the Double Trouble Company was one of the largest cranberry operations in the state. The cranberry industry ended at Double Trouble Village in the early 21st century. Several marked trails follow old service roads past former cranberry bogs and reservoirs before looping back to the historic village.


Trail Map

Cross-Country Skiing
This facility offers opportunities for cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Hiking
Double Trouble State Park offers over 8 miles of official, blazed trails. Most trails around the historic village and old cranberry bogs are fairly flat and follow sand roads. With the exception of a section of the Nature Trail, as it passes through a cedar swamp and across Cedar Creek between Lower Hooper Bog and Sweetwater reservoir, all blazed trails are multi-use (hiking, biking, horse-back riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing). Horseback riding and mountain biking are permitted on existing sand roads only; mountain bikers and geo-cachers are asked to refrain from creating rogue trails. Please use caution around the cranberry bogs and reservoirs. No ATVs or motorized vehicles. Pets must be on a leash (6 feet or less in length) at all times and owners must clean up after their pets.

The Dover Forge Walk-In Area is the site of a former bog iron forge and cranberry bogs. Visitors may tour Dover Forge’s unmarked 1/3-mile walking trail to a scenic overview of Cedar Creek.

Warning! Ticks may be present year-round. It is advisable to take precautions and check yourself closely for ticks after visiting the park.

Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted on existing sand roads only. Horses are not permitted on the cedar swamp section of the Nature Trail between the Lower Hooper Bog and Platt Reservoir.

Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is permitted on existing sand roads only. Bicycles are not permitted on the cedar swamp section of the nature trail between the Lower Hooper Bog and Platt Reservoir. Bikers are asked to refrain from creating rogue trails. No ATVs or motorized vehicles.

General Guide to the trails at Double Trouble State Park

Canoeing/Kayaking
Visitors to Double Trouble State Park can canoe or kayak Cedar Creek as it winds its way through the park.

There are three access locations in the state park: Dover Forge off Dover Road/CR 618, between Pinewald-Keswick Road and Lacey Road; Ore Pond off Pinewald-Keswick Road/ CR 618, one mile west of the Double Trouble Village entrance; and at the White Bridge in Double Trouble Village.

Parking is available near the creek at Dover Forge and Ore Pond. The White Bridge Cedar Creek Access location at Double Trouble Village is restricted to walk-in use and livery services holding a valid commercial special use permit. Canoes and kayaks must be carried to the White Bridge from the Village parking area, a distance of approximately 1/4 of a mile. Many use portage wheels on their canoes or kayaks.

A serviceable United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) is required for each person on board.

Tubing, rafting and swimming are prohibited at Double Trouble State Park. Canoes and kayaks are not available for rent at the park.

Downstream of the Garden State Parkway bridge is outside Double Trouble State Park. Local ordinances apply.

Approximate canoeing times:
Dover Forge to Ore Pond: 2 hours
Ore Pond to White Bridge: 1 hour
White Bridge to Western Blvd: 2 hours
Western Blvd to County Rail Trail or Dudley Park: 1 hour
Note: times are approximate and may vary depending on creek conditions and paddler’s skill level.

The USGS has a gage on Cedar Creek at Western Boulevard, downstream of Double Trouble State Park. For real-time information from this gage, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/uv/?site_no=01408900

History/Nature Tours
Double Trouble State Park offers educational programs for school districts, such as guided village tours with static exhibits inside the restored sawmill and cranberry packing house and public tours and nature programs. Please contact the interpretive staff for information.

Fishing
Fishing is permitted at this facility subject to the regulations of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife Digest

Hunting
Hunting and trapping are permitted in specific sections of the park subject to the regulations of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Double Trouble State Park Hunting and Trapping Safety Zones map
State Park Service areas open to hunting for 2021-2022
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife Digest
SPS Tree Stands And Blinds Policy

The Cedar Creek watershed lies mostly in Berkeley and Lacey Townships and drains an area of 54.3 square miles. Waterways within the Cedar Creek watershed include Cedar Creek, Webbs Mill Branch, Chamberlain Branch, Daniels Branch, Newbolds Branch, Factory Branch, Deep Hollow Branch, Huckleberry Branch and several other unnamed tributaries of the Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek drains into Barnegat Bay and is part of the Barnegat Bay Watershed Management Area.

Like most Pine Barrens streams, the water of Cedar Creek is “tea colored” because of tannic acid from the roots of the cedars lining the riverbanks. This pristine water gave Cedar Creek the alternate name of Clear Brook in the late-18th century. Cedar Creek supplied both waterpower and raw material for several early industries, including lumber mills, iron furnaces, cranberry bogs and blueberry fields. It now provides the water required for cranberry culture and supplies a pure source of water for wildlife. Adjacent bogs and uplands provide examples of plants characteristic to the Pine Barrens.

All of Double Trouble State Park’s official trails either cross or offer viewing of Cedar Creek or its tributaries. Visitors to Double Trouble State Park may canoe or kayak Cedar Creek as it winds its way through the park.

There are no picnic tables located in the historic site or park. Fires and grills are prohibited.

The proliferation of portrait photography at the Double Trouble Village State Historic Site has resulted in irreparable damage to the historic buildings and grounds. Help protect this federally recognized historic district. Double Trouble Village is not a portrait studio – please enjoy the historic buildings as they are. Nothing may be attached to the historic buildings, even temporarily. No prop may be used on a historic building. Any prop utilized on the village grounds must be small, free standing and unobtrusive. All props must be removed from park. No glitter, confetti or fake snow. The Packing House loading dock is posted Keep Off. Photography may not interfere with other visitors to the historic village or impede park operations. All fee-based portrait photography is an organized activity and/or commercial use of this state park that requires a special use permit including a certificate of insurance.

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 Double Trouble State Park recreational and historic facilities are partially accessible to persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 609-726-1191 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
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 this park. Thank you!

Swimming
No swimming. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.20]

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. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.8]

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

Barnegat Bay Partnership
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Cloverdale Farm County Park
Island Beach State Park
Jakes Branch County Park
Pinelands Commission
Whitesbog Preservation Trust

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Numbers
Park Office 609-726-1191
Village Historian 732-341-4098
Park Maintenance Shop 732-341-6662

Physical Address
581 Pinewald Keswick Road
Bayville, New Jersey 08721

Mailing Address
c/o Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
P.O. Box 215
New Lisbon, NJ 08064

Email Address
DoubleTrouble@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate 8 a.m. to dusk

Park Fees

Entrance Fee None

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
39.89795, -74.22101