The Appalachian Trail runs more than 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine. The New Jersey section consists of 74 miles of the trail that runs through woods, rocky areas, bogs and wetlands. The trail begins in Abram S. Hewitt State Park in the north and runs southwest through Wayawanda State Park, High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, ending in Worthington State Forest. The trail changes from flat to rugged, ranging from 350 feet above sea level to 1,800 feet. Animals along the route include bears, deer and many species of birds.
The New Jersey's Pinelands National Reserve is a million-acre triangle of forests and swamps between New York City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Here, on twisty rivers surrounded by pines, cedars and oaks, you can canoe or kayak for days without seeing another human being. Private canoe and kayak rental agencies offer one- to six-hour excursions on the Mullica, Batsto, Oswego and Wading rivers. Some agencies offer overnight trips. The Wharton State Forest has seven canoe campsites along the rivers. The Pinelands are home to a wide variety of birds.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area consists of 70,000 acres of forests and waterfalls along 40 miles of the Delaware River. The recreation area, located in the Appalachian Mountains, features opportunities for canoeing, camping, hiking, swimming, biking, cross-country skiing and fishing. The Delaware River is one of the country's cleanest and provides water for nearly 10 percent of the nation's residents. The recreation area is home to dozens of historic structures, including Millbrook Village. Hikers may want to climb to the top of Mt. Tammany for a view of what's known as the "endless mountain" -- Kittatinny Ridge.
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 40,000 acres of fragile ecosystems in the coastal habitats and tidal wetlands of southern New Jersey. Six thousand acres of the refuge are designated as wilderness, with limited public access. Here, beach-nesting birds like the endangered piping plover raise their young. The refuge also contains 3,000 acres of wetlands, which are home to songbirds and woodcocks. Visitors enter the refuge by car on an eight-mile access road. The refuge also has some foot trails.
