New Jersey has so much to offer - from picturesque rivers, mountain peaks, shimmering bodies of water and swamps, to marine forests, sandy beaches and wonderful wildlife. “Garden State” never holds back an unforgettable vacation for ecotourists or anyone else.
In the northwestern state of New Jersey, the National Recreation Area of the State of Delaware, the National Recreation Park, contains a 40-mile stretch of wild and scenic Delaware River on the state border with the Pennsylvania. The bay between Sussex County, New Jersey and Pake County, Pennsylvania, the reserve occupies about 70,000 acres of the Delaware coastline, making it one of the largest recreation areas in the eastern United States. The name of the park was derived from a point at its southern end, where the river carved a two-mile long gap or gorge through the Appalachians, leaving 1,200 feet of rocks at the edges of its path. In addition to viewing incredible landscapes and exploring the region’s unique geology, visitors can swim, fish, or kayak. Ground-based activities include auto tours, horseback riding, cycling and hiking. While hiking trails pass by mountain peaks and a restored gap, the park’s backing roads are custom-made for cycling and cross-country skiing.
Next to Allamuchi State Park (which, by the way, consists mainly of quartz granite), offers a number of tiers and rocks for amazing hiking.
The city of Lebanon in the central region of New Jersey is part of the Round Valley Recreation Area. The round valley - the blue reservoir covers 4,000 hectares and measures a depth of more than 180 feet, which represents a total capacity of 55 billion gallons of water. These sizes qualify Round Valley as the largest lake in New Jersey, which means plenty of space for swimmers, scuba divers, boats and kayakers. Even better, this tank is patented trout, so there is a ready stock of fish for those who want to lay out the line in the water. Fortunately, terrestrial vistas are good for tourists, excursionists, mountain bikers and hunters for waterfowl. And in this action there is never a lull; sunset winter weather attracts skids and cross-country skiers to the frosty snow in Round Valley.
The Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Basking Ridge in northern New Jersey, just 26 miles west of Times Square in New York. Can wild nature be maintained in such close proximity to the Big Apple? Absolutely. The reserve of the Big Marsh was created over 40 years ago, when a group of bona fide citizens joined forces to prevent it from becoming another jet transport on the urban scene. And a few years later, the swamp earned two more significant titles: “Registered National Natural Attraction” and “Wildlife Area”, the first such design by the US Department of the Interior. This 7,400-acre refugee contains swampy woodlands, marshes full of slingshots and lazy streams. There are grassy ponds plus strong beech trees, oaks and mountain laurels. In the middle of the attractive bounty of local flowers, the observed wildlife thrives in the Great Swamp. The skies are decorated with blue birds and woody ducks, and on the lower level there are curious creatures, for example, endangered marsh turtles and sweeping salamanders with blue spots.
On the central Atlantic coast "Garden State & the State" on the island of Beach Beach State Park is a park of the seaside park. This sandy sanctuary covers about 3,000 acres, 10 miles long, a beach island that borders east of the beaten-up Atlantic Ocean and west of the calm waters of Barnegat Bay. The Atlantic side of the island of Beach is characterized by an expanse of dazzling white sand and coastal dunes with an oceanic forest of severe trees, rebuilt by salty winds. It is an ideal platform for swimmers, fishermen and surfers. The coastal side of the island of Barnegat is a separate world of dynamic tidal salt marshes and freshwater wetlands. There are nature trails for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. In the summer, Rangers offer canoeing and kayaking tours in Barnegat Bay. Birdwatching at the bay does not improve than from a perch in a special blind trail of the park. And, as one would expect, on an intact barrier island, this flora and fauna reserves are also noticeable, since Island Beach boasts the largest sturgeon harvest in New Jersey and the state of heather beach.
Only inland is the impressive Pinelands National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River, which boasts over 1 million acres (recall that this is about 22% of the total land area!). ancient forest lands. Pinelands lures include solid forests of pine, oak and cedar - and unique "pygmy" pine forests; unusual dwarf stands, but mature trees less than 11 feet tall. Water enthusiasts will enjoy the many streams that are ideal for kayaking, and anglers will enjoy the fishing opportunities of inland waters, the Atlantic Ocean and the bays. Hunting, horse riding and photography are popular Pinelands games. In addition, the area also offers about 850 species of plants and more than 350 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. One interesting tidbit in this area: The Pinelands sits on top of the Cohansey aquifer, an extensive reservoir estimated to contain over 17 trillion (yes, trillion) gallons of some of the cleanest waters in the country. And here's a tip: there is no better place in New Jersey to witness the glorious fall colors than the Pinelands, which offers a few, short, falling foliage driving.
Looking for a short answer, full of soft ocean breezes and beautiful landscapes? Then continue south into the South Coastal District and take your pick from a variety of quaint cities. There is an Ocean City with its 2.5 mile aisle; Cape May, the whole city is on the National Historic Landmark; as well as Ocean View and Sea Isle City.
