You don’t have to go far to get away

Discover Middlesex County INTRODUCTION

Don’t hide from the snow – embrace it! You don’t have to go far to experience a winter wonderland. From Penn Station in NYC or downtown Hoboken, NJ, you’re just an hour away from some of New Jersey’s most beautiful scenery. From snowy woodland trails to birdwatching, picturesque bike tours, or snow sports – Middlesex County has outdoor activities for everyone. Nature doesn’t stop when it gets cold – and neither should you. Bundle up and get outside!

DID YOU KNOW? MIDDLESEX COUNTY HAS… 6,300+ acres of parks and conservation areas, perfect for hiking at any skill level Historic towns and picturesque farmland you can tour and visit by bike 312 species of birds —some very rare—waiting to be sighted Fish from bass to bluegill in our lakes, rivers, and sea Winter Activities try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing

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GET OUT AND EXPLORE

Winter doesn’t have to be a time to stay cooped up indoors. In fact, it’s one of our favorite seasons to get outside. Bundle up and explore hundreds of acres of parks, woodlands, untouched preserves, and reclaimed farmland throughout Middlesex County. Hikers get a unique chance to discover serene winter wonderlands and some of nature’s most beautiful landscapes. We have hikes that are ranging from easy 1-mile loops to intermediate 9-mile treks, to striking 34-mile trails. Come for a solo adventure or bring the family on a daytrip.

Don’t forget to take photos and tag #discoverMiddlesex on social media.

› Thompson Park (8.96 mi): Wind your way through this public park and conservation area, taking in the forests and fields around Manapalan Lake. Start at the lodge on the White Trail. Then follow the outer loop to Gravel Hill, down to Hoffman Station property and back.

› Mill to Pond (9.08 mi): Travel through one of the most picturesque areas of Middlesex County. Begin at Davidson’s Mill parking lot then take the outer loop at the Mill. Follow the Farrington Lake Trail north toward the Fisherman’s Parking lot at the Forest Brook Trail to the Ireland Brook Trail. Be sure to visit the ponds where you can spot distinctive plant and animal life. Return on Farrington Lake Trail to the Mill.

› Jamesburg Park (7.5 mi): Experience one of the first protected areas in NJ at this unique pine barrens conservation area, a heavily forested coastal ecosystem. From the Bozza lot, take the Snuffy Hollow Trail. Cross Washington Ave onto the Pitch Pine Loop, then cross Helmetta Blvd to Cedar Swamp Trail. Continue on Pitch Pine Loop to the Snuffy Hollow Trail near the Port St. / Washington Ave intersection. Follow Snuffy Hollow Trail to Lincoln Blvd and continue to Bozza Spur.

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› Davidson Mill Pond Park: A tranquil spot in the heart of 482 acres of scenic former agricultural land, these fun-but-tough switchback trails take you under thick forest canopy and around babbling brooks all the way to the Davidson Mill Pond boat launch. Located conveniently off of Route 130, no permit is required for visits or for blanket picnics (no fires, please). Memorable features include a butterfly house, garden displays, and a captivating waterfall.

› Cheesequake State Park: With easy-to-moderate trails and remarkable scenery, Cheesequake State Park is famed for its unlikely range of contrasting natural vistas including a swath of upland hardwood forest, a vast white-cedar swamp, and miles of coastal saltwater marshes. Near the trailhead, the Nature Center helps visitors with guidance on the best trails and sites. This is a great place to camp!

› Philips Preserve: For plant and animal diversity, little compares to the John A. Phillips Preserve. Located in the heart of the ecologically rich Spotswood Outlier, hikers come to catch sight of the colorful sugar maples, huckleberries, sweet pepperbushes, and imposing pitch pines. With over 1,782 acres of trails, the park office produces handy route guides and overviews of the region’s fascinating natural history. Hikers can spend days here exploring the marshlands, sand trails, blueberry flats, and the stunning Pine Glenn Spur.

› Heathcote Meadows Preserve: Nestled just outside the small village of Kingston, the preserve offers a glimpse into the rich farming history of the area. Combined with Heathcote Park, the Cook Natural Area, Mapleton Preserve and the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, the Heathcote Meadows Preserve creates a dense belt of foliage around the village of Kingston for fall leaf peepers. This provides stream protection for Heathcote Brook and Carter Brook and wonderful opportunities for hiking, walking, and wildlife viewing. Try a leisurely 1.4-mile hike or a more strenuous 34-mile adventure along the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath.

3 BIKING

BUNDLE UP AND GRAB YOUR BIKE

Even in winter, Middlesex County is a destination for cyclists and bike enthusiasts across New Jersey. Put on your layers and hit the trails along our challenging, yet scenic routes across snowscapes of rolling hillsides, serene fields and upland forest cover, before breaking out into acres of meadows and open spaces. Grab your road bike to escape the city and discover quaint historic downtowns as they become charming winter wonderlands this time of year. Great for group trips, solo rides, or weekend adventures!

› This 15-mile loop starts at Princeton Junction and takes you through the quaint, historic village of Cranbury with stops at local farms, parks, and destinations like Cranbury Inn which has been open since the mid-1600s.

› Add 10 miles to your ride and take a trip out to the animal haven at Thompson Park where you can get up close to deer, peacocks, pigs, goats, and more! Getting there: • Take NJ Transit to (or park at) Princeton Junction (about 1-hour ride from NY Penn Station)

› This 24-mile loop starts in New Brunswick, takes you through the beautiful Dismal Swamp Preserve, with a stop at Thomas Edison Center, then head toward to the Middlesex Greenway. Add 10 miles to your trip and ride out to the High Street Municipal Fishing Pier in Perth Amboy.

› This 41-mile loop starts in New Brunswick, goes through Waterfront Park, stops at Helmetta Pond and the Jamesburg Park Conservation Area, then continues on

4 BIKING the Middlesex Greenway towards Johnson Park. Getting there: • Take NJ Transit to (or park at) New Brunswick Train Station (35 - 50 mins from NY Penn Station)

› White Trail at Cheesequake State Park: This 2.5 miles of looping, swooping bike trail—famous for its scenery, as well as its challenging twists and turns—is not for the faint of heart. A short but adventurous ride, the trail continues onto additional park trails if you want to keep biking. It also links to Arrowpoint, which offers striking marshland views.

› Thompson Park: Packed with hillside and hard-pack trails that are open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike, this complex of short-to-medium sized trails cuts close to a local zoo, disc golf course, and lakeside scenery. Great for experienced and beginner bikers who want a quick, challenging ride that will get your heartrate going.

› Delaware & Raritan Canal Tow Path: Once a path for mules and horses to tow cargo along the canal, the 69.5-mile D&R Canal State Park Trail is now one of the most popular recreational areas in New Jersey. The trail stretches from New Brunswick to Trenton and is an absolutely spectacular ride featuring open fields, freshwater estuaries, stone walls, cobblestone spillways, historic covered bridges, and old-growth forest. With many unique places to visit along the way, this is a great ride for groups and day-trippers alike. Commuters Note: Always remember to wear a helmet and use proper click here for navigation from the New Brunswick Train road safety. While some of these routes use biking trails, please be aware the majority Station to the northern entrance of the towpath. of your ride will be on a public road. For accurate times and distances, make sure Google Maps is set to cycling (located in the blue menu bar).

5 BIRD WATCHING

LOOK FOR RARE WINTER BIRDS

Winter can be a wonderful time for bird watching and a great way to connect with nature. Step outside, look up, and you could see any one of our hundreds of unique bird species in the snow-covered trees. Whether you’re a novice or expert bird watcher, you’ll be surprised to spot some fascinating, and even rare birds here. Check out one of our beautiful preserves or parks below and you just might discover a new passion.

Never birded before? Well check out any of these beautiful preserves or parks below and you just might discover a new passion. Here are a few birds to be on the lookout before.

› Snowy Owl: Tamarack Hollow Preserve: This collection of heavily wooded forests and farmland with a few miles of hiking trails is a favorite destination of local birders.

› Yellow Rumped Warbler: Dismal Swamp: “The Everglades of Central NJ” have over 200 species of birds in a thriving wetlands ecosystem— there’s nothing dismal about it!

› Dark Eyed Junco: Rutgers Ecological Preserve: A wooded conservation area with close to ten miles of trails through the largest forest in the area.

› Red-Throated Loon: Old Bridge Waterfront Park: A shoreline park with an abundance of water birds that can be viewed from the coast or by boat.

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› Barrow’s Goldeneye: Perth Amboy Waterfront: The historic seaside hotspot is not just a fun getaway for weekenders but also a natural habitat for gulls, grebes, and more.

› Pine Grosbeak: John A. Phillips Open Space Preserve: As the largest preserve in the Middlesex County Parks system, this preserve includes hundreds of acres of wetlands and heavily forested uplands. It lies within the Spotswood Outlier – the northernmost area of New Jersey Pine Barrens, and more than 50 species of nesting birds have been identified here.

› White Throated Sparrow: Woodbridge River Watch: Home to over 90 acres of preserve and a popular wildlife sanctuary full of interesting flora, fauna, and local history.

› Bald Eagle: Edison Boat Basin and River Walk: Quaint, cozy gazebos line this rebuilt boardwalk along the , with plenty of space for glassing the riverfront and snapping photos, which you’ll definitely want to do if you spot a bald eagle!

Middlesex County is home to the NJ Audubon Society, located in the Plainsboro Preserve. Get expert advice about local birding hotspots, walk the five miles of trails, or just take in the scenery on this 1,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. For an in-depth resource that highlights hundreds of species of birds spotted in Middlesex County, check out this report.

7 FISHING

THE FISH ARE STILL BITING

It may be cold out, but the fish are still biting. Whether you’re looking for lake, river, pond, or saltwater fish, Middlesex County offers a variety of waterfront parks filled with bass, pickerel, and catfish, to name a few. Fish don’t hibernate, so why should you?

Check out some of our favorite fishing spots:

› Trout, Crappie, Bluegill: Roosevelt Park Pond: Earn some bragging rights by reeling in stocked trout, yellow perch, bluegill, and channel catfish (casting from shore). And, when you’re done visit the Veterans’ Memorial and local sculptures in this historic park.

› Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Sunfish: Davidson's Mill Pond: Pick up some pickerel and sunfish (casting from shore or boat) and enjoy free use of the small launching ramp and the scenic waterfalls and garden displays.

› Striped Bass: Raritan Bay: Enjoy a beautiful day on the bay at this serene waterfront park, where youcan fish from a boat or go crabbing on the shore.

› Carp, Catfish, Eel: Donaldson Park: Bring in a boatload of carp, perch, and catfish (casting form shore) while taking advantage of the boat ramp and public dog park.

› Striped Bass, Perch: New Brunswick Landing: Catch striped bass and bluefish (casting from shore) anytime between sunrise and sunset and also enjoy a floating dock and free boat slips.

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› Stocked Trout: Ireland Brook Park: This serene conservation area boasts a spectacular lake and unique rock formations found nowhere else in the County.

› Largemouth Bass, Bluegill: Johnson Park: Hook a bucketful of channel catfish and bluegill (casting from shore or boardwalk). Bring the kids along to enjoy the picnic groves and fun animal haven with pigs, goats, llama, deer, and more.

For information about each location, available fish, and where to cast, you can visit the Middlesex County website here.

* Don’t forget to pick up your freshwater fishing license. Everyone between the ages of 16 and 69 must have a license and an additional trout stamp if you plan on trout fishing. For more information and to purchase a license, visit the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife.

9 SNOW SPORTS

BRING ON THE SNOW!

When Middlesex County transforms into a winter wonderland, there’s no better time to get outside and explore the snowy landscape. Strap on some snowshoes and experience a new kind of hike – on top of the snow; breathe in the cold air while cross-country skiing and gain a new perspective of our open spaces and parks; or just relish in the peaceful tranquility of a bright, winter morning.

› Cross-Country Skiing Looking for an exciting and challenging winter sport? Try cross country skiing! Nothing feels more like winter than gliding quietly across the frozen snow.

• Take a lap around the Farm Road Trail in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park (North Brunswick). The open fields of Heathcote Meadows Preserve (South Brunswick) also offer another wonderful opportunity for cross country skiers.

• The Middlesex Greenway stretches from Metuchen through Edison and into Woodbridge. It is not plowed during the winter and provides a great opportunity for cross-country skiing.

› Snowshoeing or Winter Hiking Snowshoeing is a great winter activity when there is 6 or more inches of snow on the ground. And, hiking is great any time of year! Some of our favorite hikes have been when there is a beautiful dusting of snow on the ground.

• The pristine forest of the Thompson Park Conservation Area (Monroe Township) offers a moderately challenging introduction to the sport of

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snowshoeing. Try the Gravel Hill Trail located at the soccer fields on Prospect Plains Road in Monroe Township.

• The Tamarack Hollow Preserve in East Brunswick is the perfect escape for the snowshoer looking for a tranquil winter setting. This quiet and serene preserve has two miles of trails winding through an oak forest, punctuated by the beautiful, evergreen leaves of mountain laurel.

• Your winter hiking experience won’t be complete until you try the Farrington Lake Trail. Connecting Davidson’s Mill Pond Park to Ireland Brook Conservation Area, the trail follows the shoreline of Farrington Lake and the Lawrence Brook. The trail offers spectacular views of the lake and unique rock formations found nowhere else in the County. It is the perfect place for spotting wintering waterfowl and wading birds including a variety of ducks, geese, cormorants, herons and egrets.

www.middlesexcountynj.gov

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