South Jersey is filled with lush forests and beautiful beaches all providing great places to run and walk. Always be aware of your surroundings and if you are running on wooded trails alone, it is a good idea to let someone know your plans in case of injury or getting lost. Take care to follow park rules and not to leave any garbage behind. If you are bringing your dog, make sure you bring extra waste bags to clean up with and to keep them on a leash😀.
Atlantic County
1) Somers Point Bike Path - Also known as the Linwood bike bath and the Pleasantville bike path, this asphalt trail is 8.2 miles and runs through Somers Point, Linwood, Northfield, and Pleasantville. You can start in Somers Point or in Pleasantville and of course anywhere in between. The path goes through quiet neighborhoods and beautiful tree-lined parks and is popular as well as dog friendly.
Parking - In Somers Point, you can park at the foot of bridge going into Ocean City or on West New Jersey Avenue. In Pleasantville, you can park on Decatur Avenue.
2) Birch Grove Park - Filled with various trails, ponds, and bridges, Birch Grove Park is a great place to get lost in nature without actually having to worry about getting lost since all the smaller trails lead to the big loop trail. The main trail has built-in work out stations as well as benches to sit and relax. All the trails are in the woods and come with natural hazards like roots, rocks, and loose dirt. While not pet friendly, the park is home to ducks, geese, birds, chipmunks, fish, and turtles. Though the park can be filled with families or people fishing, some trails are isolated so as always when trail running, watch your step and be aware of your surroundings.
Parking - There is a parking lot, playground, and baseball field on-site at 1700 Burton Avenue in Northfield.
3) Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve - The EHT Nature Reserve has two main trails and a handful of smaller connecting trails totaling close to 6 miles. The bigger of the main trails runs about 3 miles while the smaller loop is closer to 2 miles. There is a pond in the center of it all that many people use to kayak or paddle-board. This nature reserve is also pet friendly and has an arboretum onsite.
Parking - There is a parking lot located at 317 Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township.
4) Estell Manor Park - This park has over 20 miles of relatively flat trails through multiple NJ habitats including woods and marshlands and views of the river. The park also has a nearly 2-mile boardwalk trail that goes over the wetlands. There is an exercise loop that is 1.5 miles long that has built-in workout stations and there another 2-mile loop that is paved. This is another dog-friendly park but they must remain on leashes. Estell Manor Park has a nature center that offers free bike rentals as another option to explore the park.
Parking - There are parking lots located in the park at 109 Boulevard Route 50 in Mays Landing.
5) Mill Pond Trails - This little trail is a loop just shy of 1.5 miles taking you through woodland and bogs. There are also connector trails that bring you down by the water. Mill Pond is pet friendly but your dog must remain on the leash.
Parking - 301 Riverside Drive
6) Wharton State Forest - Wharton State Forest is the largest state forest in New Jersey and has an extensive trail system with trails ranging from less than 2 miles up to 18 miles. The forest also reaches up to 200 feet above sea level. The park is home to rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds as well as a myriad of wildlife like bald eagles, red tail hawks, owls, beavers, fox, and deer. Wharton State Forest is dog friendly.
Parking - There is a parking lot at Batsto Village at 31 Batsto Road in Hammonton.
7) Edwin B Forsyth National Wildlife Refuge - This wildlife refuge is one of South Jersey’s gems. There are numerous trails with varying degrees of length and surface time. There are wooded trails and boardwalk trails crossing through saltwater marshes, freshwater ponds, and the upland forest. The refuge is filled with birds and other wildlife with several lookout points. This is another wildlife refuge that is also dog friendly but they have to stay on a leash.
Parking - 800 Great Creek Road in Galloway.
Cape May County
1) Ocean City Boardwalk - The Ocean City Boardwalk, is one of the most beautiful and well maintained in the country. It is a 2.5 mile stretch of boardwalk running from 24th street to 1st. One side of the boardwalk is the endless white sand beach and the Atlantic Ocean and the other is filled with shops, amusement parks, and restaurants. The boardwalk can get incredibly busy during the summer months. The best time to go is early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the ocean, plus it is way quieter. The boardwalk strictly enforces a no dogs allowed policy. (The beach is slightly less strict in early morning hours and in the offseason between October and May.)
Parking - You can pretty much park anywhere between 24th and 1st street beach blocks. Keep in mind summer months can be incredibly hard to find parking.
2) Ocean City’s 9th Street Bridge - The 9th street bridge links downtown Ocean City to Somer’s Point. The 2.5-mile bridge crosses the bay in two sections with a fishing pier in the middle and a visitor center as you enter Ocean City. The bridge offers incredible views of the beaches, bays, and islands of the surrounding area and is exceptionally beautiful for sunrise or sunset. The bridge is dog friendly however the walking path can get crowded with runners, walkers, and bikers and is very close to fast-moving traffic despite the barrier.
Parking - You can find street parking on both sides of the bridge.
3) Ocean City/Long Port Bridge - This bridge is just about a mile long and crosses the inlet between Ocean City and Dog Beach near Longport. It reaches a height of 65 feet and offers lovely views of the ocean and bay. If you want to lengthen your run, you can run the double bridges which would include the Longport Bridge into Somers Point for a total of closer to 2 miles. This is another run/walk that is ideal for sunrise or sunset and gives breathtaking panoramic views of the entire area. Plus you get to brag that you ran through two counties as you cross from Cape May County to Atlantic County when you cross the bridge. The bridges are dog friendly but not recommended as there are no barriers between the cars and side of the road.
Parking - There is parking on either side of the bridges as well as in between the bridges.
4) Cape May County Zoo Path - There are endless bike paths that connect the zoo to the Middle Township Bike Path, Davies Sports Complex, and the 4-H fairground. The bike path also extends all the way down to the Cape May Lewis Ferry. There is also a fitness course with 12 stations. The bike paths are dog friendly however the zoo is not.
Parking - There is parking located at the zoo and street parking along any of the various posts along the bike path.
5) Tuckahoe Game Reserve - The Game reserve is another stunning place to run or walk for sunrise or sunset as its various dirt roads follow along ponds, bogs, marshes, wetlands, and the Tuckahoe River. The park is dog friendly.
Parking - There is an entrance on RT 50 in Tuckahoe as well as an entrance on Old Tuckahoe Road. One in the reserve you can park on the side of the dirt roads or between the telephone poles.
6) Maurice River Bluffs - Not technically located in Cape May County, this is a lovely wooded park with 6 miles of trails including a 35-foot long bridge and a floating dock. There are trails that go along the pristine Maurice River, wild rice marshes, and freshwater ponds. There are also old relics along some of the paths, benches, bird blinds, and 50-foot bluffs. The bluffs offer a unique opportunity to see some of New Jersey’s endangered species.
Parking - There is a parking lot located at 1200 Silver Run Road in Millville.
7) Manumuskin River Preserve - Again, not technically located in Cape May Country, the Manumuskin River Preserve is another hidden gem of South Jersey. There are at least 4 miles of trails on either side of the railroad tracks. Trails go through covered forests and along the water where you can also see old relics. There are also trails that lead to and loop around an old sandpit. You will most likely run into some dirt bikers and possibly horseback riders. Some trails are clearly marked while others are less maintained so pay attention to your surroundings or use your phones GPS. The best trails are on the right side of the tracks. While dog friendly, there are deer around so itis a good idea to keep your dog leashed.
Parking - There is a railroad crossing on Port - Elizabeth, Port Cumberland Road with a small dirt parking lot. After you park, you want to follow the tracks on the side of the street where a majority of the houses are, you know you are on the right side if you cross a little railway bridge over the river.
8) Cape May Point State Park - This state park has three main trails. The red trail is .5 miles, the Blue Train is 2 miles and the yellow trail is 1.5 miles. Some of the trails are boardwalk and some are dirt. The trails wander through wetlands, marshes, and a little maritime forest. Unfortunately, these trails are not dog friendly.
Parking - There is a parking lot on Lighthouse Ave in Cape May Point.
9) Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve - This 3-mile trail system runs through some of Cape May’s most intriguing forests, wetlands, creeks, and lowland swamps. The preserve is covered in tail-like spikes of flowers called the lizard tail’s plant, which is where the park gets its name. The preserve is closed from October to the end of January fur hunting season. It is unclear if this trail is dog friendly.
Parking - You can park at 460 Court House South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House.
10) Eldora Preserve - Another trail system of nearly 3 miles going through hardwood swamps, salt marshes, wildflower meadows as well as pine-oak woodlands. The Eldora Preserve is home to more than 50 threatened and endangered plant species and more than 40 animal species.
Parking - You can find parking at 2350 Route 47, Delmont, NJ
If the ocean's more your speed than the trails, check out the best surfing beaches in South Jersey.