Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Directions
Take exit 7 of the NJ Turnpike and follow Route 206 south to Route 38 east, to second traffic light, then turn onto Magnolia Road [Route 644]. Follow Magnolia Road until you come to the Four-Mile Circle. From the circle take Route 72 east, at mile marker 1 make a left. There is a forest entrance sign on your left as you turn in. Take the first right and the office is on the left.
Ranger Station -- GPS Coordinates: 39.892193, -74.579944
Park Overview
Formerly known as Lebanon State Forest, this is New Jersey’s second-largest state forest with plenty of recreational opportunities, and home to the Lebanon Glass Works, Cedar Swamp Natural Area and Whitesbog Village.
Trail Overview
Within the state forest is Whitesbog Village, an historic site open to the public. Here, at the turn of the 20th century, J.J. White established a large cranberry plantation. Sand roads connect 3,000 acres of bogs, fields, wetlands, and forests. With over 200 species of birds, the surrounding area is a popular spot for birding.
Since hunting is allowed in season, users should take precautions or visit the area on Sundays, when hunting is not permitted.
A portion of the Batona Trail [pink] goes through the area. The park's headquarters is a starting point for hikes that use that trail. Directly across the road from the office, a blue-blazed trail leads 0.1 mile to a junction with the Batona Trail.
- The 2.8-mile handicapped-accessible Cranberry Trail [red], leads from the office to Pakim Pond.
- Pakim Pond, in turn, can be used as a starting point for the 8.5-mile Mount Misery Trail [white], a loop trail.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map.
Park Description
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest covers 36,000 acres in the northern Pinelands. It encompasses the site of the Lebanon Glass Works that, between 1851 and 1867, was a thriving manufacturer of window glass and bottles. A portion of the state forest is designated the Cedar Swamp Natural Area (735 acres) where tall Atlantic white cedar crowd together with dense vegetation at their base – orchids, sundews, pitcher plants, and curly grass ferns.