Explore Nature and History at Cheesequake State Park!
Looking for fun things to do in Central NJ? Why not check out Cheesequake State Park? This unique New Jersey park, easily accessed from the Garden State Parkway, offers visitors the opportunity to explore two distinctly different ecosystems while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.
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Cheesequake State Park straddles Middlesex and Monmouth Counties and links urban North Jersey with more suburban Central New Jersey. As you explore the park, you will notice a transition from a coastal marsh habitat to a upland hardwood forest. The park is home to a variety of wildlife from deer, fox and rabbits to a wide range of birds including great blue herons, snowy egrets, pine warblers, red-winged blackbirds, and more.
Whether you’re interested in active recreation or more passive pursuits, Cheesequake State Park has something for you. The park has several very nice picnic areas (some are reservable for groups) and playgrounds for the kids to enjoy. Freshwater fishing is available at Hooks Creek Lake and you can also go crabbing from the (appropriately named) Crabbing Bridge over the creek. There are nearly 10 miles of hiking trails in Cheesequake State Park that offer those interested in exploring the park on foot the chance to meander their way through open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a hardwood forest. One trail is a multi-use trail and can be used for biking in addition to hiking.
If you’d like to get out on the water, canoeing and kayaking is permitted on Hooks Creek Lake beginning the day after Labor Day through the day before Memorial Day weekend (car top launching only).
Hooks Creek Lake is also home to a very nice beach complex which offers lifeguarded swimming during the summer months. The lake features a changing area, restrooms, a first-aid station, and a concession stand which sells refreshments, novelties, and beach supplies.
Looking for something more than a day trip? Cheesequake State Park has 59 reservable campsites (six are available for groups) with potable water, flush toilets, and shower facilities. It’s a great NJ campground for young families and as equally suited for a week-long vacation as a weekend camping getaway.
The Cheesequake Interpretive Center welcomes visitors to view natural and historical exhibits and gives visitors a chance to learn more about the wildlife habitats located within the park, the Native Americans that once called this area their home, and the early colonization of the area. The Cheesequake Interpretive Center also offers programs such as weekly nature hikes, living history events, live animal talks, and more.
Cheesequake State Park is even a great place to visit in the winter months as there is an awesome sledding hill next to the Hooks Creek Lake parking area! You can also enjoy cross-country skiing on the roadways and field areas and snow shoeing is permitted throughout the entire park.
Cheesequake State Park is located in Old Bridge and Matawan NJ. For directions, use 300 Gordon Road, Matawan NJ 07747 (GPS Coordinates: 40 ° 26’ 5.118” N 74° 15′ 49.2372″ W). The park is open daily from 8:00am to 7:00pm. Admission is free from the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, the entrance fee is $5 per vehicle on weekdays and $10 per vehicle for weekends and holidays for NJ residents ($10 & $20 for non-NJ residents). For more information or to make a camping reservation, visit the Cheesequake State Park page on the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry website.
Featured Photo Credit: Dendroica cerulea via Flickr
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