Hiking Opportunities in Middlesex County's Parks and Open Space Preserves

Middlesex County maintains many miles of walking and hiking trails on County-owned property. From paved pathways around the Lake in Roosevelt Park, to the rocky trail along Farrington Lake, to the sandy Pine Barrens trails in Phillips Park and Preserve. Visitors may find hiking locations that are suitable for families with small children, for novice hikers, or for more experienced trekkers who are looking for nearby day-hikes.

Hiking is an inexpensive and easy way to stay healthy. The American Hiking Society states that even low-intensity hiking can promote weight loss, reduce risk from heart disease, diabetes and hypertension and can improve mental health.

Middlesex County Parks are open from sunrise to sunset, 7 days per week.

View maps of our developed parks.

Camping, horseback riding, alcoholic beverages, fireworks and motor vehicles are prohibited. Hunting is prohibited except by permit at select locations. View a complete description of park rules and regulations.

Some properties are part of our Deer Management program. Hunting takes place during the state permitted seasons. At these locations, hikers should restrict their visits to Sundays when no hunting is permitted or wear blaze orange and hike with caution.

All hikers should be prepared before they get out onto the trails:

• Be aware of weather conditions
• Wear proper footwear and dress for the weather
• Stay hydrated
• Dress and prepare to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases
• Do not approach wildlife
• Stay on the marked trails
• Be courteous to others while on the trail
• Leave only footprints and take only pictures (no littering or removing any plants or animals)
• Bring along a trail map
• Be realistic about how much distance you should cover
• Let someone know where you will be hiking and what time you will return

View additional safety tips for your next hike from the American Hiking Association.

View tips on reducing conflicts and encounters with black bears in New Jersey from the NJ DEP.

Hiking Trail Locations

Heathcote Meadows - South Brunswick (near Kingston)
A picturesque trail leads through a meadow. Connecting trails take you to nearby Cook Natural Area, Mapleton Preserve and D&R Canal State Park.

Farrington Lake Trail - South Brunswick/East Brunswick
A rocky trail that leads along Farrington Lake towards the Ireland Brook.

John A. Phillips Preserve - Old Bridge
Observe New Jersey Pine Barrens plants and animals on nearly 5 miles of hiking trails. A self-guided Nature Trail can be found here.

Thompson Park & Thompson Park Conservation Area - Monroe Township
Some of the oldest and most well-used trails in the County. Great for fall foliage and seasonal bird migration. Many trails originate near the Dog Park area. The TPCA trailhead located off Prospect Plains Road. Some trails have moderate inclines and wander in the floodplain of the Manalapan Brook. The Schoolhouse Rd. property trailhead is located off Schoolhouse Road across from the Monroe Township Fire Department.

Tamarack Hollow Preserve - East Brunswick
Enjoy trails that travel through deciduous forest dominated by beech, maple and oak.

Scotts Corner Conservation Area - South Brunswick
A short loop trail through an open beech forest. The trail borders some wetlands, former agricultural fields and sports fields.

Jamesburg Park Conservation Area - Helmetta/Monroe Township/Spotswood/East Brunswick
Experience the unique habitat of a pine barrens “outlier”. Pitch pine, oaks, blueberries and huckleberries dominate the sandy uplands. Atlantic white cedar can be found in the wetlands. Rare and threatened plant and animal species can be found here.

Davidson's Mill Pond County Park - South Brunswick
More than 2 miles of trails along historic Davidson’s Mill Pond, through fields and forests.

Ireland Brook Conservation Area - East Brunswick/South Brunswick
Several miles of trails through deciduous forest, open meadows, and along the Ireland Brook.

Van Dyke Farm - South Brunswick
Mile long trail along the wooded, eastern portion of this historic, preserved farmland.

Pin Oak Forest - Woodbridge
Over 2 miles of trails meander among the marshes, ponds, swamps, and woodlands of the Woodbridge Creek headwaters in this natural oasis within the urban environment.

Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve - Edison
Mile long trail through one of the last remaining viable wetland ecosystems in Central New Jersey.

Looking for a Longer Hike?

Check out these maps and recommendations for great hikes and adventures in Middlesex County!

• Jamesburg Park Conservation Area
• Thompson Park Conservation Area
• Mill to Brook Trail
• Meadow to Millstone Valley Trail

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer