The Monmouth County parks showcase the changing of seasons beautifully. In the spring, the trees bud, flowers emerge, and signs of spring are everywhere. During the summer, the parks are bustling with hikers, bird watchers, kayakers, and fishing enthusiasts. In the fall, the parks exhibit a different kind of beauty with leaves changing to vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows. Thankfully, the Jersey shore is home to the Monmouth County Park System, offering a wide range of activities throughout the year for people of all ages across its 35+ parks!
Named after Big Brook, which flows into the Swimming River Reservoir, this park is home to young wetlands and maturing beech, oak, poplar, and hickory trees, as well as grassy fields and meadows. The park is popular for hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting, and it offers access to the Henry Hudson Trail. The outdoor swimming pool was renovated in 2018 and is available for Park System summer camps and community groups. The original 432-acre parcel of land was previously farmland for the Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital. The park was also home to the former YMCA Camp Arrowhead, and visitors can hunt for fossils there. Access is from the Boundary Road parking lot. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2549
Crosswicks Creek Park is a 2,360-acre park in Upper Freehold Township, featuring a narrow corridor of land around Crosswicks Creek. Another 2,700 acres of surrounding farmland is preserved by the county and state Farmland Preservation Program. Historic Walnford, located at the heart of the park, showcases over 200 years of history through the Waln family. The park is also part of the 24-mile Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway. Crosswicks Creek starts near Fort Dix in Burlington County, travels through Ocean and Monmouth Counties, serves as the dividing line between Burlington and Mercer Counties, and finally empties into the Delaware River. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2568
The Dorbrook Recreational Area spans 540 acres and offers a barrier-free playground, tennis courts, two swimming pools (for lessons only), a Sprayground, an inline rink, basketball courts, open fields, and 2.3 miles of paved trail for walking, biking, and in-line skating. There’s also a new bicycle repair station near the basketball courts equipped with a tire pump and tools. Additionally, there are athletic fields suitable for games, but not for practices. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2519
This 55-acre site is the last undeveloped tract on the Manasquan Inlet. The conservation area is a great place to fish, walk on the beach, sunbathe, kayak and spend a day on the beach with your dog. Dogs must be on leash at all times while at this park. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2521
Located in a densely populated area, Freneau Woods Park spans 313 acres, primarily consisting of woodland. It safeguards vital wildlife habitats and supports water quality. The park, named after the American Revolution poet Philip Morin Freneau, offers access to trails from the Monastery Lane and Greenwood Avenue entrances. Plans are in progress to extend the trail system and upgrade the facilities, including modern restrooms available at the Visitor Center during programs. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=4747
The Henry Hudson Trail is a 24-mile-long, 10-foot-wide former railroad right-of-way that spans through various environments, offering views of wetlands, streams, and fields. The trail stretches from the Aberdeen/Keyport border at Lloyd Rd. and Clark St. to the Atlantic Highlands – Highlands border at Popamora Point. It currently runs from Rt. 537 in Freehold to Church Street in Matawan, with future plans to connect the northern section and southern section. The park totals 234 acres and includes the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center located in Leonardo. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2525
Nestled on a hill with breathtaking views of the Navesink River, Huber Woods Park was established in 1974 through a generous 118-acre land donation from the Huber Family and the J.M. Huber Corporation. Over the years, with further land acquisitions and contributions from the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, the park has expanded to a whopping 390 acres of permanently preserved open space. Apart from its lush forests and sprawling meadows, the park boasts over 8 miles of multi-use trails and is home to an Environmental Center. A visit to Huber Woods Park offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature’s wonders. Amidst the scenic beauty and panoramic vistas, you can take a moment to appreciate the finer details of the natural world – from the sounds, smells, and play of light and shadow to the subtle signs of seasonal change. Whether you choose to relax in a meadow or embark on a tranquil walk through the wooded trails, each experience promises to deepen your connection with the captivating natural world that surrounds you. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2529
Experience a day of outdoor activities at the Manasquan Reservoir in southern Monmouth County, the most popular site in the Monmouth County Park System. With 1,348 acres of land and water, the reservoir offers fishing, a 5-mile perimeter trail, a 1-mile nature trail, playground, ice-skating, and kayak and rowboat rentals. The reservoir also serves as a source of water for municipalities and utilities. Additionally, the site features an Environmental Center focused on wetlands ecology, wildlife, and habitat protection. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2531
The Metedeconk River Greenway, spanning 594 acres, serves to safeguard the water quality and wildlife habitat along the Metedeconk River, which acts as a natural division between Monmouth and Ocean Counties. This greenway also plays a crucial role in shielding floodplains from the effects of surrounding land use and development. The Park System is committed to conserving the land along the Metedeconk stream corridor, aligning with similar initiatives in the Ocean County part of the watershed. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=3973
At 266 feet high, this overlook in Atlantic Highlands is situated on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the Yucatan. It offers stunning views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay, and the New York skyline. This 12-acre site is also the location of Monmouth County’s 9/11 Memorial. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2534
Portland Place, an 18th century house overlooking the Navesink River, was once a 200-acre farm and later a summer home owned by the Hartshorne family. It is closely linked to the early settlement of the Navesink Highlands and the history of Hartshorne Woods Park. In 2008, Daniel Ward Seitz, a descendant of the Hartshorne family, bequeathed Portland Place to the Monmouth County Park System, ensuring its preservation for future generations and uniting it with over 800 acres of preserved lands in Hartshorne Woods Park. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=5290
Enjoy the outdoors at Shark River Park, the Park System’s first park opened in 1961. Spanning 992 acres, it offers waterways, sandy hills, forests, and ponds perfect for fishing, hiking, and various activities. Visitors can also enjoy playgrounds, picnic areas, and facilities for shuffleboard and horseshoes. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2537
Swimming River Park is a recent addition to the Park System, offering scenic views of Red Bank and the Navesink and Swimming Rivers. The park provides a public boat ramp for fishing and wildlife observation from March 1 to November 30. The park does not offer boat rentals or storage. Visitors launching a vessel are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. Swimming is prohibited at the park. The 18-acre park has recently been improved, including new bulkheading, boat ramp, kayak beach launch area, docks, walking trail, and parking. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=4545
The Park System Headquarters are situated in this 667-acre park, established in 1968 with a 215-acre donation from Geraldine Livingston Thompson’s estate. “Brookdale Farm,” Mrs. Thompson’s cherished thoroughbred race horse breeding/training facility, is remembered within the park. Mrs. Thompson believed that “children have to feel the ground beneath them and go out into the woods and see the trees and birds.” Originally built in 1896 as the Thompson family residence, the grand colonial revival mansion served as a Visitor Center until it was destroyed by fire on February 6, 2006. It has since been rebuilt in the same style. The first floor is now open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Public restrooms are open from 8 a.m. to dusk. Additionally, the Visitor Center is available to rent for meetings, special events, and weddings. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2539
The Union Transportation Trail is a 9-mile gravel trail suitable for equestrians, hikers, joggers, and cyclists. The trail includes a historic wooden trestle bridge, parking lots at Millstream Road and Jonathan Holmes Road, and offers views of fields and rural scenery. The entire trail was completed in January 2017 and is located within a 115-acre park. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=3777
In the 1970s, the Weltz Farm in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, was one of the last large undeveloped areas east of Route 35. The land, known as Sweetbriar Farm, was sold to the NJ Conservation Foundation below market value to be preserved until the Park System could acquire it. The conservation area has diverse habitats supporting over 130 bird species. It includes upland forest, wet lowland, and sandy fields, providing habitat for various plant and animal species. Trails allow for passive recreation and wildlife observation, and research partnerships with Monmouth University and Rutgers University inform the conservation efforts. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2542
Enjoy an 18-hole disc golf course at Wolf Hill Recreation Area, open during regular park hours. The course, designed by Carl “Cubby’ Cubbedge, is fun for beginners and challenging for experienced disc golfers. Bring your own disc and play for free. Scorecards and basic instructions are available at the first tee. The park also features off-leash dog areas and facilities for dog owners. Just a heads up, the off-leash dog areas are closed until 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, April through November for maintenance. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2548
Bayshore Waterfront Park, situated in Port Monmouth near Monmouth Cove Marina, conserves a diverse coastal landscape on Sandy Hook Bay. The park features maritime shrublands, tidal creeks, salt marshes, dunes, a mile of beach, and picturesque views of the water. It includes a fishing pier, access to Raritan Bay, and stunning views of the New York skyline. The park covers 229 acres and the Park System continues to expand this site in the Bayshore area. Additionally, the park is home to the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center (Seabrook-Wilson House), one of the oldest surviving houses in the region. This large frame building, dating back to the early 1700s, was constructed over two hundred years in several phases. The Park System obtained the building from Middletown Township in 1998, fully restored it, and now hosts nature and history programs. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2516
Deep Cut Gardens is designed for the amateur gardener. The 54-acre grounds and greenhouses are intended to serve as a real-life guide to cultivated and native plant materials throughout the year. Their updated Parterre showcases 52 types of roses with more than 180 bushes. The greenhouse is accessible during regular park hours. Please note that Deep Cut Gardens does not allow pets.https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2518
An 81-acre exhibition area for showcasing horse events, dog shows, and special events annually. Additionally, the East Freehold Showgrounds hosts the Monmouth County Fair every year, attracting over 75,000 visitors during the 5-day late July event. For further details about the Fair, please visit the Monmouth County Fair page. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2520
This property was purchased from the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) and features the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center. This 21,000 square foot building serves as the Park System’s inaugural indoor recreation facility. Ideal for a range of activities such as arts and crafts, sports, exercise classes, and special events, the Rec Center provides diverse amenities, including classrooms, a gymnasium, and a game room.https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=4206
Located on a hilly, forested 812-acre area with stunning views of the Navesink River, Hartshorne Woods Park boasts its status as one of the highest points along the Atlantic Coast. Its historical significance as a former coastal defense site adds to its allure. The park is renowned for its challenging trail system, making it a favorite among hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Park amenities include group cabin camping (requiring reservations), cross-country ski trails, fishing opportunities on the Navesink River, and trails suitable for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. With its tranquil ambiance, this park offers a perfect escape from the bustling sounds of suburbia. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2524
Holmdel Park, acquired by the Park System in 1962, spans 664 acres and attracts nearly one million visitors annually. The park is known for its David C. Shaw Arboretum, fishing, picnic areas, tennis courts, playgrounds, ice skating, sledding, and 10 miles of trails. Additionally, it houses two historic sites – Historic Longstreet Farm and the Holmes-Hendrickson House. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2526
Explore the sights and sounds of rural Monmouth County in the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel Park. The Farmhouse is open on weekends and holidays from March through December, or by reservation. For more information and reservations, call 732-946-3758. You can also visit the Tenant House and the Holmes-Hendrickson House for a glimpse into the county’s colonial past. Please refrain from touching or feeding the animals for your safety and theirs. Visit Longstreet Farm to experience and appreciate Monmouth County farm life at the end of the 19th century. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2530
The Park System has recently acquired over 526 acres of land along the Manasquan River, which is now protected in its natural state. This open space offers access to the river for fishing and boating with small watercrafts such as canoes. Please note that there may be challenges in navigating certain parts of the river due to natural obstructions and changing water levels, which may require multiple portages. Additionally, the Winter Run Activity Center has been opened by the Park System for use in hosting 4-H club activities, events, and Park System programs. This center, previously used as horse stables and a tack room, has been renovated to include a dedicated program space, public restrooms, accessibility enhancements, and a new roof and siding. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2532
Monmouth Cove Marina offers family-friendly fishing and boating just minutes from New York City. It has 155 wet slips, 6 for personal watercraft, with electricity and water. There are also 82 dry slips available from May to October, as well as winter storage. The marina features two marine travel lifts, 15-ton and 25-ton, and is part of Bayshore Waterfront Park. There are no restrictions to Bay or Ocean access. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2533
Discover the tranquility of a 1,272-acre site in Millstone & Roosevelt, offering fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on the lake. The park features several trails, including the Lakeside Loop, Pine Creek Trail, Rocky Brook, and Quail Run. A new 3.4-mile Mine Hill Trail is now open, providing an elevated hiking experience. Some areas of the park west of Agress Road are being planned for future trail and facility development. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2550
During the summer, this 38-acre beach park is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. It’s also a great spot for quiet walks in the off-season. In the summer, you can find a snack bar, designated surfing areas, outdoor showers, and changing areas. The park also offers picnic tents for groups of up to 50. Anglers ages 16 and up need to register with the NJ Saltwater Angler Registry for free. Light-weight cartop vessels like kayaks or canoes can be launched, but boaters cannot drive down to the beach. Pets are not allowed in the park from April 1 to October 31, but they are allowed from November 1 to March 31, as long as they are on a leash. No pets are allowed in specific areas year-round. For more information, visit the provided link. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2535
The Sunnyside Equestrian Center is where the Equestrian Division of the Park System is based. This division offers basic equestrian activities for individuals of varying abilities, focusing on providing therapeutic horseback riding opportunities for those with physical and cognitive disabilities, assisting them in reaching their maximum potential. The equestrian program receives funding from SPUR (Special People United to Ride), a non-profit organization committed to supporting the Park System’s therapeutic riding initiatives. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2552
Tatum Park spans 366 acres of rolling hills, open fields, and wooded areas with two Activity Centers, a playground, and scenic trails. Named after the Tatum family, who donated 73 acres in 1973, the park also received additional land with Federal funding and help from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The renovated mansion and grounds are ideal for hosting wedding receptions and other events. Their staff is ready to help plan your special occasion at this unique location. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2538
Turkey Swamp Park is a 2,388-acre wooded park with a 17-acre lake for fishing, boating, and ice-skating. It also features miles of trails, an archery range, and playgrounds. The park offers a primitive wilderness experience with forests and diverse wildlife. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboats to enjoy the lake from May through Columbus Day. Boat rental hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends, and only cash or check is accepted. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2540
Explore the role of art in uniting the country during World War I at this exhibit. It features propaganda posters, uniforms, medals, and music that illustrate the involvement of artists in the war effort. Admission and parking are free. Visit the historic Walnford site to learn about the Waln family and the site’s evolution over two centuries. Explore the large home built in 1773, a 19th-century gristmill, and farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For accessibility, a ramp is available at the rear of the house. Additionally, historic Walnford is one of the sites located along the 24-mile Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway, offering opportunities to explore open spaces and trails. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2541
Nestled in rural Upper Freehold, Clayton Park is a serene 450-acre site known for its beautiful old-growth forest, featuring diverse wildlife and a rich variety of trees. The park offers miles of scenic trails for visitors to explore and is located along the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2517
The 115-acre Wickatunk Recreation Area, named after the Lenape word for “finishing place,” was established in 2010. It was formerly the Marlboro Airport and has a recently acquired Spring Valley section. The Park System has cleared remnants of the airport and preserved the Airport Meadows section as open space. The area offers protected habitats for woodland creatures and birds, making it an ideal spot for nature walks. The Spring Valley is an outdoor event center that is suitable for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and other social functions. This bucolic site, once a winery and farm, offers an elegant and charming atmosphere. The grounds are filled with flowering quince, azalea, and hydrangea. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=4797
The 71-acre Baysholm Conservation Area, donated to the Park System by Helen Herrmann, offers open space for bird watching, nature walks, and hiking. It was once a farm called Baysholm, featuring open fields, young forests, and wooded wetlands. Situated along the headwaters for a tributary of the Yellow Brook, it contributes to water quality and provides wildlife habitats. A new gravel parking lot on Burlington Road provides easy access for visitors. https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=2543
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