New Jersey Coastal Heritage
Trail Route

The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route was established in 1988 "to provide for public appreciation, education, understanding, and enjoyment" of significant natural and cultural sites associated with the coastal area of the State of New Jersey. The NJCHTR is divided into five regions linked by the common heritage of life on the Jersey Shore and Raritan and Delaware bays. Five themes define different aspects of coastal life: maritime history, coastal habitats, wildlife migration, historic settlements, and relaxation and inspiration. The Maritime History, Coastal Habitats, and Wildlife Migration theme Trails are open to the public. The Historic Settlements and Relaxation & Inspiration themes are still under development.

The trail is intended primarily for vehicular tourism. It is a partnership project by the National Park Service in cooperation with the State of New Jersey and many other public and private organizations working to preserve the state's natural and cultural heritage. The Trail extends along coastal New Jersey, from Perth Amboy to Cape May on the Atlantic coast, and up the Delaware Bay coast from Cape May to the Delaware Memorial Bridge at Deepwater, New Jersey.

Visit our expanded NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Route Home Page for specific information on Trail themes, sites, and destinations.

VISITATION:

Highest from Memorial Day to Labor Day; lowest in January and February.

LOCATION:

It encompasses the area east of the Garden State Parkway, from the Raritan Bay south, to Cape May and the area north and west of Cape May, south of State Route 49 to the vicinity of Deepwater near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

ADDRESS:

National Park Service
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route
P.O. Box 568
Newport, NJ 08345

TELEPHONE:

(856) 447-0103

eMAIL:

neje_interpretation@nps.gov

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

All of the trail destinations and welcome centers are operated by other organizations that maintain a variety of public hours. Specific information is available by contacting the trail headquarters, welcome centers, and individual destinations.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summers (June-September) are generally warm and humid; wear comfortable sportswear and walking shoes. Late fall and winter months (October-April) can be cool and wet.

DIRECTIONS:

Trail welcome centers are located at Fort Mott State Park (off State Route 49 between Salem and Pennsville in Salem County near the Delaware Memorial Bridge) and at the Ocean View Tourist Information Center (Milepost 18.3 on the Garden State Parkway in Cape May County north of Cape May).

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: the Coastal Heritage Trail is designed primarily as a vehicular tourism route in which interpretive themes link destinations throughout the trail area. Availability of public transportation varies from destination to destination.
In Park: transportation services vary from place to place, but most is by personal vehicle or on foot.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Most trail destinations do not have admission fees. Some have seasonal parking fees. Visitors should contact individual destinations for more information.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Centers/Exhibits:

The Delsea Region and Cape May Region welcome centers at Fort Mott State Park and Ocean View Tourist Information Center (see above for locations), have trail orientation exhibits, an orientation video, and exhibits relating to the trail's interpretive themes. Most destinations also have low-profile orientation exhibits as well as site-specific waysides relating the destination to one or more trail theme.

Trails, Roads:

Overall, the Coastal Heritage Trail is a vehicular tourism trail with highway directional signs directing visitors to destinations from nearby highway intersections. Availability of trails and roads at the destinations varies from site to site.

Programs/Activities:

Visitors should contact specific trail destinations for information on special programs and activities.

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in park. None are operated by the Coastal Heritage Trail. Some partner state parks operate camping facilities. A variety of hotels, motels, and RV camping sites are available throughout the trail area.

Food/supplies:

Local restaurants and grocery stores can be found throughout the trail area.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

All trail regional welcome centers, information centers, sites and points of interest, are in facilities managed and staffed by the trail partners and not by the National Park Service.

Accessibility:

Many trail destinations are at least partially wheelchair accessible. Exact accessibility and accommodations vary from destination to destination.

Special Needs:

Regional welcome centers, sites, and information centers generally have visitor parking areas, rest rooms, and water fountains. Many points of interest are unstaffed and have minimal facilities.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Trail destinations vary from historic sites to natural areas, and activities and special events vary accordingly. Visitors should contact individual destinations for more specific information. Typical historic examples include lighthouses, marinas, Coast Guard stations, boat collections, defensive forts, and scenic towns full of historic architecture. Nature areas such as coastal beaches and salt marshes provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and bird watching. Seasonal migrations are particularly noteworthy.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Visitors should contact individual destinations for more specific information.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

The trail area includes nearly 300 miles of coastline. For ease of visitation, the project area has been divided into five regions.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Visitors should contact individual trail destinations for more information on special events.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

There are numerous other educational, historical, and recreational opportunities throughout the trail region. For more information, visitors may want to contact the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, CN 826, Trenton, NJ 08625-7418, or by calling (800) 537-7397 or (609) 292-2470.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Trail information or literature can be obtained by contacting the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, CN 826, Trenton, NJ 08625-7418, or by calling (800) 537-7397 or (609) 292-2470. Information is also available by writing the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, P.O. Box 568, Newport, NJ 08345 or by calling (856) 447-0103.

Last Updated:Monday, 19-Jul-99 17:02:24
http://www.nps.gov/neje/
Author: Chuck Milliken