You don’t have togo far to get away

Discover Middlesex County

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