Need a recent and peaceable begin to 2023? Get outdoor on New 12 months’s Day with a First Day Hike—guided free hikes in New Jersey state parks, forests, and historic websites for all ages. Scroll down for the First Day Hikes in NJ taking place this yr, then bundle up the household, seize your water bottles, and get going—with the recent air and good vibes, it’s the easiest way to start out 2023. And for extra hikes round NJ, make sure you try our information for the greatest climbing trails and toddler-friendly climbing trails for littles. (featured photograph credit score: iStock/Solovyova)
Begin the yr off proper with one in all these First Day Hikes in NJ
Northern NJ Hikes
Excessive Level “First Day Problem” Hike
This hike has the very best level in NJ, and lots of mountain ridge tops provide 360-degree views. Registration is required. This hike is extra strenuous for ages 12 and up.
Assembly Location: Appalachian Path car parking zone – Route 23, Montague, NJ 12771
Paulinskill Valley Path Committee thirty seventh Annual New 12 months’s Day Hike
This 4-5 mile hike is for the entire household. Registration is required. This average stroll is open to all households so long as kids are with a accountable grownup.
Assembly Location: 1 Footbridge Lane, Blairstown, NJ 07825
Self-Guided First-Day Hikes at Liberty
Take one in all three self-guided trails with stunning views at Liberty State Park. This easy-to-moderate hike is open to all ages, and no registration is required.
Assembly Location: Liberty State Park -200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey Metropolis, NJ 07305
Ringwood State Park First Day Hike
It’s self-guided enjoyable on the primary day of the brand new yr. This easy-to-moderate path is for the entire household. Registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Carriage Home Customer Heart – New Jersey State Botanical Backyard, 1304 Sloatsburg Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Wawayanda Lake Round
Take a scenic hike round Lake Wawayanda. This average hike is for ages 8 and up. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Wawayanda State Park – Seashore Parking Lot – 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421
New 12 months’s Hike at Spherical Valley
Get off on the best foot and take a three-mile hike. This easy-to-moderate path is open to everybody, and adults should accompany kids. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Spherical Valley Recreation Space South Lot – 1220 Stanton Lebanon Rd, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Central NJ Hikes
Cheesequake First Day Hike
A park naturalist will present info throughout this First Day Hike. This average stroll is for all ages. Registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Cheesequake State Park Trailhead Parking Lot – 300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ 07747
Princeton Nursery Lands First Day Hike
Take a simple 1.5-mile hike by means of the Mapleton Protect. Ensure that to remain for warm cocoa afterward. Kids are welcome with adults. No registration is required.
Assembly Location: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Workplace – 145 Mapleton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
New 12 months’s Day Seashore Hike – Seaside Park
There’s a bonfire and s’mores on the finish of this First Day Hike round Island Seashore State Park. This simple hike is open to all ages, and registration is required.
Assembly Location: Island Seashore State Park, 2207 SW Central Ave, Seaside Park, NJ 08752, Pavilion at Swimming Space 1
Perrine Hill and Sutfin Farm Mountain climbing Tour
Find out about this Revolutionary Struggle battle spot whereas traversing the primary hike of 2023. This average hike is open to ages 10 and up. Registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Monmouth Battlefield State Park Customer Heart – 20 Enterprise Rte. 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
New 12 months’s Day Climb
Have fun the historical past on the high of the North Tower at Twin Lights by climbing 64 steps to the highest. This simple hike is open to all ages. No registration is required.
Assembly Location: Twin Lights Historic Web site – 2 Gentle Home Street, Highlands, NJ 07732
Outdated Dutch New 12 months: Speak of the Taverns
Take a stroll in historic Somerset and study George Washington’s Passage by means of the world 245 years in the past. The hike might be 3 miles, and it’s for all ages. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Wallace Home and Outdated Dutch Parsonage Parking Lot – 71 Somerset Road, Somerville, NJ 08876
Beginning 2023 On The Proper Foot
Stroll the D&R Canal’s most southern towpath and begin 2023 out on an energetic observe. This hike is taken into account simple and is 6 miles spherical journey. Kids underneath 10 are welcome however have to be with an grownup. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Scenic Overlook (Entry from Northbound Interstate-295, Hamilton Township, NJ 08611.
Southern NJ Hikes
First Day Canine Hike
Discover Cape Might County and convey your canine too. This average path is for ages 10 and up. Registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Belleplain State Forest Workplace – 1 Henkinsifkin Street, Woodbine, NJ 08270
Belleplain First Day Nature Training Hike
Take a nature stroll in Belleplain State Forest. This simple stroll is for ages 10 and up. Registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Belleplain State Forest Workplace – 1 Henkinsifkin Street, Woodbine, NJ 08270
Brendan Byrne First Hike of the 12 months
Check out nature, wildlife, and Reeves’ Lavatory. This simple hike is for all ages. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Forest Rd, Browns Mills, NJ, 08015
Uncover Double Hassle First Day Jaunt
Discover the historic village, Mill Pond Path, and Cedar Creek. This simple path is open to ages 10 and over. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: 581 Pinewald Keswick Street, Bayville, NJ 08721
Parvin First Day Winter Stroll
Have fun the brand new yr with a hike at Parvin State Park. Kids with mother and father and guardians are welcome. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Parvin State Park Workplace – 701 Almond Street, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
The Resilient Pine Barrens Guided Stroll
Take a 2-mile, guided interpretive stroll within the Pinelands Nationwide Reserve to start out the New 12 months. This average hike lasts roughly 90 minutes, and youngsters aged 10 and up are welcome with an grownup. Registration is required.
Assembly Location: Batsto Customer Heart in historic Batsto Village at 31 Batsto Street Hammonton, NJ 08037
First Day Hike at Whitesbog
Study in regards to the Pine Barrens and the cranberry and blueberry industries in NJ. All ages are welcome on this simple path.
Assembly Location: Basic Retailer at Whitesbog Village, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
First Day Hike at Bass River
Begin the brand new yr at New Jersey’s first state forest. This scenic hike will take you thru some historic websites and is a simple hike, lasting 2 miles. After, heat up with some scorching cocoa or tea. All ages are welcome, and registration will not be required.
Assembly Location: Bass River State Forest, 762 Stage Street, Bass River Twp 08224, on the workplace
The place will you be taking a primary day hike in NJ? Tell us!
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