Future plans for the liberty landing marina include additional berths and dockside facilities, restaurants, marine-related shops and a 250-boat storage building.

Liberty state park is a green oasis in the middle of metropolitan northern new jersey. with the manhattan skyline, the statue of liberty and ellis island as a spectacular backdrop, liberty state park is one of the state's most dramatic parks.

The old stone walls, furnaces and other remnants of the once industrious ironworking community now sit tranquilly next to the swiftly flowing wanaque river. the village is undergoing research and restoration and one waterwheel has been reconstructed. future plans call for additional restoration work.

One of the largest battles of the american revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up monmouth battlefield state park. the park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored revolutionary war farmhouse and a visitors center.

The undisturbed forest and rugged terrain of norvin green offers sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. part of the wyanokie wilderness area, the forest is near wanaque reservoir and is home to an extensive trail system built from old logging roads. several trails link up with public and private facilities, including the weis ecology center and reservoir property. the existing trails, either old forest roads or new trails constructed by volunteers, are perfect for nature walks and other outdoor classroom activities. with hills ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet in elevation, norvin green provides the avid hiker with scenic vistas, including the new york skyline, burnt meadow brook and lake sonoma. the property is accessible by foot only.

Hidden in the southwestern part of the state is parvin state park, a park whose history is as varied as its wildlife. situated on the edge of the pine barrens, the park not only has pine forests typical to the area but also a swamp hardwood forest. spring bursts out in bright colors and rich fragrances with blossoming dogwood, laurel, holly, magnolia, wild azalea and over 200 kinds of flowering plants. thundergust lake, parvin lake and muddy run are popular for fishing and boating. swimming is allowed in parvin lake only.

Penn state forest's undeveloped wilderness attracts picnickers and hikers. lake oswego, a result of an upstream dam that was constructed to create a reservoir for a downstream cranberry operation, is suitable for canoeing and fishing.

On january 3, 1777, the peaceful winter fields and woods of princeton battlefield were transformed into the site of what is considered to be the fiercest fight of its size during the american revolution. during this desperate battle, american troops under general george washington surprised and defeated a force of british regulars. coming at the end of "the ten crucial days" which saw the well-known night crossing of the delaware river and two battles in trenton, the battle of princeton gave washington his first victory against the british regulars on the field. the battle extended over a mile away to the college of new jersey (now princeton university).

This hilly forest is a sanctuary for wildlife. hikers and mountain bikers enjoy miles of challenging trails. many trails offer a view of the new york city skyline. birdwatchers are attracted to the forest for its ponds, streams and marshes that provide the perfect habitat for bird and other wildlife species. the forest borders the ramapo mountain reservation, which is part of the bergen county park system.

The rancocas creek provides an idyllic setting to observe nature up close in this rustic park. hikers, bicyclists and joggers are welcome, however, there are no staffed facilities on site. the new jersey audubon society operates a nature center on the park (entrance off rancocas road) and sponsors varied wildlife programs.

Dedicated in 1984, the garden is the culmination of two eras of landscape architecture under the direction of francis lynde stetson, owner of skylands from 1891-1922. the garden contains an extensive variety of plants, evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs in specialty areas. of particular interest are the crabapple vista, terraced gardens, perennial and annual gardens and woodland paths. the extensive vistas of the garden and veiw of ramapo mountains frame this 96-acre botanical showplace. visitors can tour the gardens and surrounding woods year round, from 8 am to 8 pm. for more info check out the new jersey state botanical gardens (njbg) skylands association web site. for information on wedding ceremonies and receptions in the gardens please call (973) 962-9370 or visit frungillo catering.

The brisk blue waters of round valley reservoir attract swimmers, boaters, fishermen, picnickers and campers to its scenic shore. the round valley reservoir swimming area was created by the construction of an earth dam across a narrow waterway on the west side of the reservoir, separating it from the main part of the reservoir. the reservoir covers over 2,000 acres and is approximately 180 feet deep, the deepest lake in new jersey. it has a water capacity of 55 billion gallons. the reservoir is stocked with lake trout.

Future plans for the liberty landing marina include additional berths and dockside facilities, restaurants, marine-related shops and a 250-boat storage building.

Spring meadow golf course has tree-lined fairways with well-trapped greens. the manasquan river runs through the property, creating an attractive and challenging course. the course is 6,224 yards long with a course rating of back, 69.7, slope 122. the middle is 67.5, slope 114 and forward is 64.4, slope 107. five par 3 holes, five par 5s and eight par 4s.

Surrounded by the rolling hills of hunterdon county, spruce run recreation area is popular with picnickers, swimmers, fishermen, boaters and campers. the reservoir was one of the first water supply facilities to be constructed and operated by the state and covers 1,290 acres with 15 miles of shoreline for recreation. spruce run is the third largest reservoir in the state after round valley and wanaque reservoirs.

The musconetcong river, an excellent freshwater fishing spot, flows over and around boulders through stephens state park. an easy walking, but rocky path follows the river with places for picnicking in shaded areas.

The breathtaking and panoramic view from sunrise mountain along the appalachian trail rewards the hiker who has trekked up the steep side of the mountain. the view encompasses the pastoral farmland of new jersey to the east and undeveloped forests and mountain ridges to the west. for those who don’t relish the idea of climbing up the side of a mountain and following a sometimes rocky and steep trail for a few hours, there is a short drive to the pavilion at the top of the mountain.

Established in 1914 as new jersey's first state park, swartswood is well known for its great fishing and tranquil surroundings. little swartswood and swartswood lake were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and are now home to a variety of fish. both lakes have been the focus of water quality improvement efforts including invasive aquatic weed control and watershed protection.

Voorhees, like parvin state park, served as a camp for the civilian conservation corps (ccc) - franklin roosevelt’s program to get people back to work during the depression. the ccc planted trees and constructed shelters, picnic sites and trails throughout the park. two overlooks provide scenic views of round valley reservoir and spruce run reservoir.

Warren grove recreation area is an undeveloped wilderness perfect for hiking and birding. this 617-acre parcel is just west of the town of warren grove and straddles ocean and burlington counties. the land was acquired from the national park service in 1972 as part of their federal lands to parks program. bass river state forest administers this area.

On december 25, 1776, the icy waters of the delaware river provided the setting for one of the pivotal events of the american revolution. the continental army had little to celebrate that christmas and seemed beat by hunger and cold. after crossing the rough winter river at night, general george washington and the continental army landed at johnson’s ferry, at the site now known as washington crossing state park. at 4 am, they began their march to trenton where they defeated the hessian troops in an unexpected attack. this battle was quickly followed by the second battle of trenton on january 2, 1777, and the battle of princeton on january 3, 1777.

The strategic location of washington rock made it a valuable lookout point during the american revolution for general george washington in june of 1777 when the british army under general william howe was moving toward westfield. from the vantage point of this natural rock outcropping, general washington had a thirty-mile panoramic view of the valley and was able to instruct his troops to circle behind howe’s troops and cut off their retreat.

The quiet charm of wawayanda appeals to hikers, campers, swimmers and boaters. forested hills surround lake wawayanda creating a restful backdrop for canoeists, boaters and fisherman, while steep mountains challenge casual as well as serious hikers. a twenty-mile stretch of the appalachian trail runs through the park, while the top of wawayanda mountain offers sensational views. more than forty miles of trails are marked in the park.

Wharton state forest is the largest single tract of land within the new jersey state park system. it is also the site of batsto village, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867 that currently reflects the agricultural and commercial enterprises that existed here during the late 19th century.

Some of the most rugged terrain and splendid views of northern new jersey are found in worthington state forest. a rocky and sometimes steep trail follows dunnfield creek from the delaware river to mount tammany or hikers may choose to follow the trail to sunfish pond, one of the most popular sites in the area. millions of years in the making, the pond was carved out by glacial forces during the last ice age and is one of fourteen rock-basin lakes between the delaware water gap and the end of kittatinny ridge. a trail circles the pond, with many boulders and openings for resting and observation.