If you’re looking for a new adventure, we have the perfect place for you.
New Jersey is a very beautiful state with hills and beaches. There are many things to do outside like hiking, biking, or kayaking. The state also has many cultural places and art centers for you to go to.
You can see beautiful things when you go to New Jersey. You can explore some national parks like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or Wharton State Forest. And there are also lots of cool historic sites like Washington Crossing Historic Park or Morristown National Historical Park. When you are there, you might want to see waterfalls too!
We want to show off all the beauty that the state has to offer here are six national parks that we think you should visit this summer when you’re in New Jersey!
1. Gateway National Recreation Area
This is a place where animals can be free and they have lots of places to run. This is the only “wildlife refuge” in America’s National Park System.
A haven for animals with no other place like them left on Earth-like us!
Gateway National Recreation Area is a 26,607-acre U.S. National Recreation Area in New York City and Monmouth County, New Jersey where people can do things like boating or hiking. People can also camp there at night!
Pets: Dogs are allowed at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, but only on the oceanside beaches. Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed in other parts of the park.
Camping: Gateway National Recreation Area has a variety of camping options. You can choose from tents, RV hookups, or cabin rentals.
Tour: The Gateway National Recreation Area has a lot of activities that you can do. There are tours. You might get lost for hours without knowing it in this park because there is so much to explore.
It offers a lot of fun things to do during the day. There are many things you can do that are outdoors. You can go fishing, hike through woods or enjoy a picnic with friends by a waterfall. There is also plenty to do at night like biking and going sightseeing under the moonlight.
Entrance Fee: Gateway National Recreation Area is a fun place to go without having to pay. There are no tickets needed!
2. Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River
The Great Egg Harbor River is a 55-mile long river in New Jersey. It drains 308 square miles of wetland into the Atlantic Ocean. It takes its name from this body of water, Great Egg Harbor.
The Pinelands region is a place with lots of forests and beaches. It is one of the last places where people can enjoy the Earth. People have given it special protection so that people in the future can also enjoy it.
Pets: The Great Egg Harbor River has animals that are not allowed. The strict environmental policies in New Jersey protect the animals and make it hard for them to live. This is good because there are fewer wild animals in the area.
Camping: Though there are no RV campgrounds at the Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River, Lake Lenape West has camping.
Tour: The Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River is a great place for people who like to be outside. There are lots of outdoor activities like backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, camping fishing hunting hiking kayaking nature walks stargazing, and wildlife viewing.
Entrance Fee: The Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River is a place with lots of good things. People can go there for free.
3. Morristown National Historical Park
The Morristown National Historical Park is a place for people who like history. There are four sites in the park that were important in America’s Revolutionary War, including Jockey Hollow and Fort Nonsense.
Visitors can walk through this building. It is important for people to know and remember about it.
Pets: You can let your dog off their leash. They need to be on a leash that is 6 feet or less in length at all times.
Camping: You can’t camp at Morristown National Historical Park, but you’re in luck because there are campsites nearby.
Tour: The Morristown National Historical Park is a great place to get out and see American history. You can also hike, bird watch, or bike in all seasons. The park has lots of outdoor space that you can enjoy!
Entrance Fee: There is no admission fee to this national park. You can go and enjoy yourself without spending any money.
4. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
The Great Falls of the Passaic River has been an important site for immigrants since it was one of only two bridges in North America that connected Manhattan to New Jersey.
This location is near a 77-foot tall waterfall that is part of Paterson’s National Historical Park. The park was created by the American government in order to protect it as a place with an important history.
Pets: At Paterson Great Falls, you can bring your furry friend with you and it is free!
Camping: The Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is one of the oldest parks in the United States. Campsites are available near this beautiful park for those who want more than just a day trip experience.
Tour: Paterson Great Falls is a new unit of the National Park Service. It has self-guided outdoor activities and tours. Paterson Great Falls are very cool because the falls are part of Paterson’s history. There are guided tours for people who want to see more about Patersons’ early history.
Entrance Fee: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is a beautiful park where you do not need to pay the entrance fee. Spend your day here and enjoy the natural beauty of this place.
5. Statue of Liberty National Monument
The Statue of Liberty is a gift from the people in France. It was designed by someone with a French name, and it was built with metal that came from someone who has a French name. The Statue of Liberty is on an island near Manhattan called “Liberty Island” (formerly called Bedloe’s Island).
The statue has a torch in its hand. The torch means that the goddess is showing people how to find enlightenment and freedom. On the statue’s left hand, there is a date of July 4th, 1776. This data shows that America got its independence from Britain. It also shows what America wants – freedom under the law.
Millions of people visit the Statue of Liberty every year because it means freedom, democracy, peace, and hope.
Many countries have used this statue on their stamps. France’s inscription reads, “Liberty enlightening all Nations.”
Pets: People can’t bring pets with them to Ellis Island or Liberty Island because they might break wildlife habitats and make other people’s experiences bad.
Camping: If you’re planning a visit to the Statue of Liberty National Monument, don’t forget that camping is not allowed.
Tour: You can see the Statue of Liberty’s past and future when you visit Liberty Island. You can see the Pedestal where France dedicated freedom to America and learn about how it was built. You can also see what it is going to be like in the future with new buildings on top of it. The Statue of Liberty Museum is a place that tells you how the Statue of Liberty came to be. It has items from around the world. It is also fun to watch construction going on at her feet.
Entrance Fee: The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. You can’t go in but you can take the ferry, which costs $12 or more depending on if you are over 62 years old.
6. Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Thomas Edison National Historical Park is an interesting place to visit. If you work in the sciences or engineering, you should go there. You can see Thomas Edison’s lab and his home – Glenmont which was designed by architect Henry Hudson Holly back in 1887. The labs were operational from 1888-1941 when they finally closed down.
The laboratory is a big building at 14 acres and has another 10-acre plot where they grew their own food source like rice!
Pets: You can’t bring animals to Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
Camping: Camping is not allowed at Thomas Edison National Historical Park. They want to make sure the place is preserved for people in future generations to enjoy, so camping is not allowed.
Tour: This park is for people who want to see a laboratory and other places. It has things like a greenhouse with plants that you can’t see in other places. You can also see cars if they are there.
Entrance Fee: The entrance fee to the Thomas A. Edison National Historical Park is $15.00 for adults 16 years of age and older; children 15 and younger are free. You will also get a 7-day permit with your purchase!
New Jersey is a beautiful state with many things to do. It has some wonderful parks, museums and more! If you are looking for an adventure on your next vacation or would like to spend time with family, consider New Jersey as your destination of choice.
We hope this blog post helped you learn more about why we think New Jersey should be on everyone’s summer list. Now go explore the things that we have to offer!
