7 Best Small Towns In New Jersey For Outdoor Enthusiasts
Most famous for its boardwalk beaches and coastal casinos, New Jersey, a Mid-Atlantic state, offers even more than fun by the ocean. The state's natural wonders are famous in their own right, with regions that boast natural and man-made lakes, pine forests, parks, and successful restorations of animal populations like shad, a local fish. New Jersey offers the nature-minded visitor some of the best small towns in the US Mid-Atlantic region.
Pittsgrove
Pittsgrove, population 8,800, has a long and beautiful history. Formed in 1769, when the state was still a British colony, the southwest town takes its name from William Pitt, an English aristocrat who supported the American independence movement (the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is also named in his honor.) Today, the New Jersey town has evolved into a quiet, suburban-style community south of Philadelphia.
Pittsgrove should top the list of any nature seeker for its proximity to Palvin State Park. Located in the New Jersey Pinelands, a celebrated natural area, the park spans 465 square acres and protects various wildlife that make their habitats around Parvin Lake. The park grounds allow for camping, boating, and trail walking. Springtime brings a burst of life from the park's 200 species of flowers, not to mention dogwood, magnolia, and wild azalea trees.
Colts Neck
With 10,000 inhabitants, this upscale, central town is a sought-after address for its bucolic setting, horse farming, access to the Jersey Shore, and not a few celebrity neighbors. It sits about 45 miles south of New York City, making for an easy drive into the Big Apple. Colts Neck has attracted stars like rock'n'roll legend Bruce Springsteen, rapper Queen Latifah, and comedian Jon Stewart, among others.
Colts Neck has lots to keep the outdoorsy visitor busy. Thompson Park is a large natural area with hiking trails, an off-leash dog area, and a lake for fishing, among other attractions. The town is a major center for equestrian sports like dressage and steeplechase. For time on the water, head to the Dorbrook Recreation Area or the Swimming River Reservoir, both northeast of town.
Bay Head
Bay Head, an Atlantic coast town with a population of 1,000, is called one of New Jersey's prettiest towns. Its development is due to a strategic position between the Manasquan and Metedeconk rivers and the open sea. Some of its historic buildings date back to the late 1800s, including the Grenville Hotel and Restaurant, which is a very good, very pink expansion of local Victorian architecture. The town's historic district is one of the largest in the state.
Outdoors fans will find their bliss in Bay Head. Boating fans can take their pick among the town's marinas, canals, and bays, while the Bay Head Yacht Club welcomes the top end of boats and their often wealthy owners. The New Jersey Museum of Boating sits nearby. For some ocean breeze and, for early birds, an unforgettable sunrise, head to Bay Head Beach or to the Swan Point State Natural Area, a nature preserve.
Cape May
The seaside town of Cape May is New Jersey's southernmost point and drips with the charm of bygone days. The town's 2,800 inhabitants love the way their sandy beaches and Victorian architecture compete in natural and man-made beauty. Its outdoor standouts include whale and dolphin watching, a great family-friendly activity for Cape May's many summer visitors. The Nature Center of Cape May blends education with conservation and makes another excellent choice for those with kids who want to learn about New Jersey's natural ecosystems.
The Cape May Peninsula offers all the natural attractions its name might suggest. The Cape May Point State Natural Area covers almost 250 acres of coastal marshland and is one of North America's most popular birdwatching sites. The Cape May Lighthouse stands at one end of the area, a spot for a great view and a family photo or two.
Blairstown
The northwestern Blairstown, with 5,700 residents, is just below the Delaware River that forms the border with Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1845, the town takes its name from John Insley Blair, a 19th-century American industrialist and one of that century's wealthiest men. For a little local flavor, The Blairstown Museum presents a broad survey of the town's culture and history.
Visitors seeking parks and fresh air will find both at the postcard-pretty Footbridge Park. Blair Lake, north of downtown, offers fishing and quiet walking trails. The town is surrounded on three sides by natural areas, with the White Lake Natural Resource Area and Worthington State Forest offering diverse outdoor ideas. The Lakota Wolf Preserve, just west of town, gives educational tours on wolves, foxes, and bobcats.
Lambertville
Lambertville, population 4,200, lies downstream the Delaware River from Blairstown and north of Trenton, the state capital. The Howell Living History Farm is another family destination for those wanting to learn more about New Jersey's former rural lifestyles. Fans of local fish and wildlife should come to town in April, when the 'return of the shad,' a migratory fish species, swim up the Delaware. The local ShadFest takes place at the same time and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal, which runs through town, powered a much-hoped-for economic boost after its work wrapped up in 1834. The canal now features towpaths that can be walked, run, or cycled, as a visitor may prefer.
Asbury Park
Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey! Unless you have been living under a rock for the past fifty years, most popular music fans will know those words as the title of a now-famous 1973 rock album by New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen. (see Colts Neck, above). Asbury Park has 15,100 residents today and is a beloved summer holiday destination for local and out-of-state families.
Outdoor bliss awaits Asbury Park visitors no matter when they arrive. In summer, when the town's population swells, vacationers make for the Jersey Shore sands for which this town is famous. Those who cannot travel without their dogs can seek out the Dog Beach, but the furry friends are only welcome in the evenings and early mornings. Deal Lake, which forms the town's northern edge, is a human-made, freshwater body and a natural anomaly: in it spawns saltwater fish like gizzard shad, alewives, and blueback herring.
Outdoor Adventure Awaits You In New Jersey
New Jersey's natural offerings should attract visitors of all kinds. Beachgoers and families will enjoy Bay Head and Asbury Park, while horse fans will find some famous breeds and, sometimes, their equally famous owners in Colts Neck. Campers can spread out in Pittsgrove, while Blairstown and Lambertville offer a unique take on the fishing and local shad to be had in the Delaware River. No matter the tastes of New Jersey's nature-loving visitors, they return to the state's outdoor charms year after year.
