Rancocas State Park
Directions
Take Exit 45A [northbound] or Exit 45B [southbound] of I-295 and go east on Rancocas Road for 1.5 miles to the Rancocas Nature Center entrance on the right-hand side. Exit 5 of the NJ Turnpike also provides access to the nature center. GPS Coordinates: 40.003291, -74.820740
Deacon Road parking for area south of the North Branch of Rancocas Creek, GPS coordinates: 39.992238, -74.834172
Park Overview
This mostly rustic park along the Rancocas Creek includes a nature center operated by the Audubon Society.
Trail Overview
The New Jersey Audubon Society operates the Rancocas Nature Center, which is housed in a 130-year old farm house, and 3 miles of adjacent nature trails. Self-guided trails inform visitors about Inner Coastal Plain vegetation. The center leases 120 acres from the State of New Jersey in a area north of the North Branch of the Rancocas Creek. Dogs and bikes are not allowed on trails maintained by the center.
South of the North Branch is a network of trails on public lands with ample opportunities for loop hikes with parking off Deacon Road (see Directions to Trailhead)
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map that includes both the Rancocas Nature Center trails and those elsewhere within the park. Combined there are more than a dozen relatively short blazed trails.
Park Description
Located on the western edge of the Pinelands, Rancocas State Park is a mix of extensive lowlands, upland forest, overgrown fields, and freshwater streams and marshes.