NJ State Parks in our area

• Island Beach State Park

  Ten miles of pure white sand beach attracts swimmers, sunbathers, anglers and surfers. Modern bathhouses, beach access ramps, a mile of beach with lifeguards, historic buildings, trails, naturalist programs, bike paths, wild foxes and facilities for people with disabilities combine to make Island Beach a popular place.

  The state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating songbirds, are found here. Island Beach is nationally known as a unique resource with over 300 plants identified, including the largest expanses of beach heather in New Jersey.

• Allaire State Park

  Allaire State Park consists of 3,035 acres located in Monmouth County. 25 miles of multi-use trails in Monmouth County: 21.5 miles are suitable for day hikes, 17 for mountain biking, 17 for horseback riding and five for canoeing. Info: (732) 938-2371. Within the park, there are facilities for picnicking and camping. The park has a nature center that is staffed by a naturalist in the summer.

  Allaire Village, which is inside the park, is a 19th Century village listed on the NJ and National Registers of Historic Places. It is named after James P. Allaire, who owned Howell Iron Works Company in the 1830s. Located within the village are a museum and gift shop, a carpenter shop and working blacksmith, a general store, a bakery, a carriage house, a church and row houses

• Monmouth Battlefield State Park

  Located north of Jackson in Manalapan, the Monmouth Battlefield offers year-round activities. There are interpretive and visitor centers, as well as picnic tables, a playground, and food concessions. There are trails for horseback riding and hiking; winter sports include sledding and cross-country skiing.

Information/links on other parks

• NJ Panoramas This web site gives a 360-degree perspective and information about the state's parks, events and theme parks.

• New Jersey State Parks, Forests, Recreation Areas and Marinas

• The New Jersey Pinelands Recreational Guide A complete listing of parks in our area which offer historic sites, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and other activities.

• Plants of the Pinelands This Georgian Court College website will help you put some names to the plants you'll see in the Jackson area. Many of these photos were taken near Lake Carasaljo in nearby Lakewood.