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From mountain biking and birding to hiking and painting, our preserves offer something for everyone.

Nature heals. Nature calms. Nature is…our everything. Connecting to and exploring in nature is as important as protecting nature. Here are 10 ways to connect with nature at our preserves across New Jersey. 

Elevate your exercise, literally, by taking part in our High Mountain Challenge. Traverse about 1.5 miles through High Mountain Park Preserve of varied terrain, including a rigorous climb at the end to the summit. Once at the top, you’ll be standing 800 feet above sea-level with sweeping vistas of the Manhattan skyline and northern New Jersey. Snap a selfie and share it on social media using #HighMountainChallenge. 

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Pedal your way through an exhilarating six-mile mountain bike trail in an enchanting natural setting. The mountain bike trail on the preserve is one of the few trails in southern New Jersey that offers elevation change. Designed following International Mountain Biking Association standards, the trail is perfect for both beginning and experienced riders. Keep an eye out for local wildlife: you might cross paths with white-tailed deer, migratory birds, or even red fox!

The Maurice River Bluffs preserve was once a hub for sand mining and the Maurice River was crucial to the transport of these materials with several piers located along its banks. The six miles of hiking trails bring you alongside some of the historic ruins from this preserve’s fascinating history, including an 18th century farmhouse.

Lizard Tail Swamp's unique hardwood swamp conditions allow an unusually high number of tree species to flourish here: iconic red maples, ornamental American beech, hardy pitch pines, and aromatic sassafras trees are just a few of the many tree species found on the preserve. During winter, see vibrant red berries of American Holly trees. See if you can correctly identify all of the species from our Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve Tree Checklist. Don’t forget your field guide!

A globally-renowned paradise for birders, the South Cape May Meadows Preserve is a haven for native and migrating birds. Given its unique location along the Atlantic Flyway, over 340 species have been recorded here, making it an experienced birders’ playground!  Observation platforms, viewfinders and an 80 foot floating bird blind allow visitors to get up-close and personal with nature. The trail system lets birders explore many different habitats like freshwater wetlands, deciduous forests, and one mile of protected, undeveloped beach that offers unobstructed views of the Cape May lighthouse. 

Seasonally, both our South Cape May Meadows and Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek offer the exciting opportunity for visitors to stroll through beautiful wildflowers.

Swamp Rose Mallow: Every year in July, hundreds of swamp rose mallow flowers bloom throughout the wetlands. © Lily Mullock / TNC

Autumn Goldenrod Bloom: From late August to October, the trails at the Garrett Family Preserve come to life with thousands of goldenrod blooms, a perennial vital for monarch butterfly migration. © Lily Mullock/TNC

Swamp Rose Mallow: The stunning large flowers of Swamp Rose Mallow can be pink or white with red centers. © Lily Mullock/TNC

Goldenrod: Goldenrod in peak bloom at the Garrett Family Preserve in Cape Island Creek. © Lily Mullock/TNC

Pollinator Hotel: Native pollinators thrive when the goldenrod blooms from late August to October. © Lily Mullock/TNC

Walking through wildflowers is nothing short of magic. If you’re visiting New Jersey during July and August, stroll through the one-mile loop at our South Cape May Meadows Preserve to be surrounded by hundreds of swamp rose mallow blooms. During late August into early October, the meadows at our Garrett Family Preserve boast thousands of goldenrod flowers. The pollinator trail brings you through the heart of the wildflower meadows, making for an excellent photo opportunity!

Help us protect the beautiful lands and waters of New Jersey so that generations to come of people and wildlife can enjoy them and benefit from the clean water, air and habitats.

Our nature preserves in New Jersey change with the seasons. Here's what you can see right now.

Elevate your exercise by taking our High Mountain Challenge! 1200 acres, 11 miles of trails, 800 feet of elevation - do you have what it takes?

Each fall, migrating songbirds, hawks, monarchs and more funnel into southern New Jersey’s peninsula in great numbers.

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