Does New Jersey have any national parks? Well, no, not technically. There are no officially designated national parks in New Jersey akin to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or Great Smoky Mountains, but the state does have 10 national and historic sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and one that falls under the agency’s jurisdiction.
Despite being between New York City and Philadelphia, New Jersey has a high number of protected natural areas. Its location means the state also has numerous historical sites, especially those pertaining to the founding of the United States. In many cases, there is overlap, so visitors can enjoy nature along with a rich history during their visits.
Although many of these natural and historic sites are operated by local government agencies, here are the 10 NPS sites in New Jersey.
Hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Crossing more than 2,180 miles of mountainous terrain between Maine and Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is one of the great American hiking routes – and 76.1 miles of it lie in New Jersey.
The trail enters the state at the Delaware Water Gap, running up and down ridgelines between 350ft and 1,685ft in elevation, through state parks and forests. It exits in the middle of New Jersey’s northern border with New York State.
While some hikers traverse the entire stretch over several days, many others tackle small sections on short day trips. One of its most popular trails is the Stairway to Heaven, recognized as one of the best hikes in New Jersey.
Picnic at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
“National Recreation Area” perfectly describes the Delaware Water Gap, as it presents numerous opportunities for recreation. Spanning 70,000 acres, it includes more than 120 miles of hiking trails (including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail), 100 miles of scenic roadways, 40 miles of river, and several picturesque waterfalls.
Whether you seek to hike, bike, kayak, drive, or simply enjoy a picnic, there is ample space for all activities. Moreover, the Delaware Water Gap serves as an ideal location for learning about northwest New Jersey’s long history, from its Native American roots through the colonial period and into the industrial boom of the 19th century. Various archaeological sites and historic structures are spread throughout the park, showcasing its rich past.
See Lady Liberty at Ellis Island
Determining whether Ellis Island belongs to New York or New Jersey can be confusing, as the 27.5-acre plot straddles both states. New York claims the area with the Main Building, while New Jersey claims the location of the former hospital.
Regardless, the entirety of the island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, making it federal property managed by the NPS. Lady Liberty herself is just a short ferry ride away.
Visitors can learn about Ellis Island’s essential role as a primary entry point for immigrants to the United States from 1892 to 1954 at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, located in the Main Building. Additionally, adventurous visitors may explore the abandoned hospital through special tours.
Tour Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area
Gateway National Recreation Area is another interstate park that features grounds in both New Jersey (Sandy Hook Unit) and New York (Staten Island Unit and Jamaica Bay Unit), all surrounding New York Harbor.
The New Jersey segment is home to several natural attractions, including swimmable and fishable beaches connected by hiking trails through the dunes, alongside historical sites like the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark, a former military base operational through World War I.
Many structures from the military era remain, as do unexploded ordnances (UXOs), so caution is advised if encountering unusual metal objects. Notably, Sandy Hook is home to the oldest surviving lighthouse in the country.
Explore the Wetlands at Great Egg Harbor River
Unexpectedly, the Great Egg Harbor River, its 17 tributaries, and adjacent wetlands are technically under the jurisdiction of the NPS but managed by the local Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association.
However, the essence of this region as a national park site lies in its largely undeveloped lands, offering a pristine environment for hiking, biking, or boating. The river’s 129 miles wind through the Pine Barrens, a million-acre ecosystem exclusive to the East Coast.
Marvel at the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Site
Segments of the Delaware River — touted as the “largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States” — and towns along the New Jersey and Pennsylvania banks have been incorporated into the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River site. This recreational area holds a rich transportation history for Native Americans, colonists, and industrialists.
Today, the focus is more on recreation and less on industry; it’s a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and boating. This area also boasts numerous points of historical interest, such as the Morris Canal and Washington Crossing State Park.
Track Washington at Morristown National Historical Park
Experience Revolutionary War history at Morristown National Historical Park, where General George Washington and his Continental Army camped during the winter of 1779-1780. The NPS refers to this unit as “Where America Survived.”
The park features Washington’s headquarters at Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense, and Jockey Hollow, appealing to history enthusiasts, while also offering 27 miles of hiking trails and a three-mile paved road for biking.
Hunt Mythical Creatures at New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
The infamously notorious Pine Barrens, formally known as the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, might be best known as the home of the mythological Jersey Devil. However, it has far more significant ecological importance.
The 1.1 million-acre expanse — consisting of swamps, bogs, dunes, and forests — was designated as the country’s first National Reserve by Congress in 1978 and is also recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Within this reserve, ample opportunities for recreational activities abound, such as hiking the 50-mile Batona Trail or exploring ghost towns.
Wander Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park
As with many national park sites in New Jersey, nature and history merge seamlessly in Paterson. The city proudly claims the title of the first planned industrial city in the U.S., established in 1792 by Alexander Hamilton, all built around the power of the Passaic River’s Great Falls.
This area has seen a variety of industries flourish, from silk fabrics to airplane engines, and visitors can explore many historic mills and factories in the area today.
No visit to this national park site would be complete without stopping at the namesake falls, which stand 77ft tall and 300ft wide. Remarkably, they continue to provide hydroelectric power to the city.
Feel a Spark of Inspiration at Thomas Edison National Historic Park
Innovation continues to thrive in New Jersey, even beyond Paterson. The home and laboratory of inventor Thomas Edison in West Orange — where he worked during the latter half of his life and developed revolutionary technologies like the motion picture camera — has been preserved as a National Historic Park.
The site holds the largest single collection of Edison material, including letters, prototypes of inventions, and a collection of rare books.
Visit the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War National Historic Trail
With assistance from the French General Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, American General George Washington successfully defeated the British during the Revolutionary War.
Journey along the footsteps of these great leaders on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War National Historic Trail, a 680-mile pathway that retraces some of their path to victory from Massachusetts to Virginia, celebrating the legacy of the French-American alliance.
