Self Guided Trails
There are several named trails throughout the park that highlight what makes this park so special. From the bird blinds on the Tidal Pond and Spizzle Creek trails to the plant communities within the Nature Center trail at A-16, there is much to see. The boardwalk at A-6 & 7 provides access to both the bay and a lifeguarded section of the beach for people with disabilities.
Bayside self-guided trails
Reed’s Road Maritime Forest Trail(0.4 Mile)
Northern Natural Area
Walk past the former site of the historical Reed's hotel where 19th century sportsmen stayed while hunting wildfowl on Barnegat Bay. Sensitive vegetation exists in this area. Please stay on the trail.
Tidal Pond Trail(0.3mile)
Recreation Zone
Trail found directly across from swimming area 1. Towards the beginning of the trail there is a fork in the path; the left leads you through a forest of common reed before reaching the water of the bay and the right takes you out to 1 of 2 bird blinds on the bayside.
Tice’s Shoal(0.1 Mile)
Recreation Zone
One of two handicapped accessible trails that provide a cross section of the barrier island. Parking can be found at access 6 and 7. This boardwalk also provides boaters access to a lifeguarded beach.
Johnny Allen’s Cove(0.3 Mile)
Southern Natural Area
Walk this trail after visiting the Nature Center trail/A-16. The bay trail cuts through the thicket and freshwater wetland before it reaches Barnegat Bay.
Spizzle Creek(0.8 Mile)
Southern Natural Area
Park at lot 19 or 20 to walk through the thicket community to Barnegat Bay. Towards the halfway point of the trail there will be a fork in the path; the left takes you out to a grand view of the bay and the right takes you the 1 of 2 bird blinds within the park. This trail provides excellent birding opportunities song birds, ospreys and wading birds
Oceanside self-guided trails
Coast Guard Station #110 trail(0.15 Mile)
Northern Natural Area
This trail takes you past the old coast guard station #110 through the secondary and over the primary dunes to the beach. This is popular trail for those looking to fish within the undisturbed Northern Natural Area.
Aeolium Trail(0.2 Mile)
Northern Natural Area
Several plant communities are seen walking this trail like the thicket communities, the maritime forest communities and the secondary dune communities.
Fisherman’s Walkway Trail(0.3 Mile)
Recreation Zone
One of two handicapped accessible trails that provide a cross section of the barrier island. Parking can be found at access 6 and 7. This walkway was designed to provide fishing access to persons with disabilities and other angles who seek additional mobility.
Cranberry Trail/A-13(0.1 Mile)
Southern Natural Area
This ocean path contains a small boardwalk that takes you through a freshwater wetland where cranberries grow. After that is a dramatic view of the dune community.
Nature Center Trail/A-16(0.3 Mile)
Southern Natural Area
Just to the East of the Nature and Interpretive Centers is a self-guided nature trail that meanders eastward to the beach and westward towards the bay on the Johnny Allen Cove Trail. Head east in a thicket of windswept shad bushes and blueberry bushes that dwarf the hiker. If you listen, you can hear several species of birds that call the thicket their home. As you change elevation, you begin to hear the sound of the surf reminding you that you are near the ocean. When you come out from under the canopy of vegetation, walk a little further and you’ll see the sprawling secondary dune.
