New Jersey Pinelands
National Reserve
The New Jersey Pinelands, an expanse of over one-million acres of forests, wetlands and rural settlements, was designated by Congress in 1978 as the country’s first National Reserve. The Reserve, which is neither federally owned nor directly administered by the National Park Service, receives federal assistance and oversight and is described as an affiliated area of the National Park System. As such, it differs from a traditional national park in that its primary goal is to protect and preserve the areas natural and cultural resources through state and local management as an alternative to direct, large-scale federal acquisition and administration. Through state and local implementation of a federally approved land use management plan, development is limited in areas designated for preservation, forest and agriculture, while growth is directed and encouraged in and around already developed areas. In addition, as a United States Biosphere Reserve, the intent is to foster harmonious relationships between humans and the environment through a program of research that integrates social, physical and biological sciences.
VISITATION
Visitation is year-round, but tourism and recreational use is highest from Memorial Day to Labor Day and, with fall color and cranberry harvest, extends into September and October.
LOCATION
The Reserve lies in portions of seven counties -- Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Burlington, in the southeastern quarter of the State of New Jersey. Its boundaries extend inward from the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Delaware Bay on the south, encompassing 56 communities with over 700,000 residents.
ADDRESS
Pinelands Commission,
15 Springfield Road (P.O. Box 7)
New Lisbon, New Jersey 08064
(609) 894-7300
National Park Service
Pinelands Interpretive Program
PO Box 568
389 Fortescue Road
Newport, NJ 08345
(609)447-0103
National Park Service
Northeast Regional Office
200 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone (215) 597-0865
OPERATING HOURS
The Reserve is served by public roads that are open year-round. However, public and private tourism and recreation facilities maintain varying seasonal and daily operational hours.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING
The Pinelands has significant seasonal variations, summers being warm (ave 75F) and humid and winters being cool (ave 34F) and dry with no appreciable snow accumulation.
Light colored, long-legged and long-sleeved clothing is recommended in forested areas as a precautionary measure in detecting the presence of lyme disease bearing ticks.
DIRECTIONS
The Pinelands, in general, lies between and is accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike on the west, Interstate 195 on the north, the Garden State Parkway on the east and state route 47 on the south. It is accessible from the west (Philadelphia) or the east (Atlantic City) by the Atlantic City Expressway, which bisects the northern preservation and special agricultural areas areas from the southern forest area.
TRANSPORTATION
Airport, train and bus terminals in Philadelphia and Atlantic City provide rental cars and limited public transportation to communities and recreational facilities within the Reserve. Touring is primarily by car, with hiking and biking along selected routes.
FEES, COSTS, RATES
There are no entrance fees to the Reserve and, with the exception of the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, roadways are toll-free. Entrance and user fees are charged for many public and private recreation and tourism services.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
About one-third of the Reserve is in public ownership, with most being available for public enjoyment. The State of New Jersey, through its parks, forests, wildlife management areas, natural areas and historic sites provide facilities for a wide range of roadside, forest and waterway recreational activities. In addition, there are facilities and recreational opportunities provided at community and county parks, and by private businesses. Most notable among the latter are canoe liveries and campgrounds. Hotel and motel accommodations are available in the urbanized areas and shore communities beyond the boundary of the Reserve.
RECOMMENDED PARK ACTIVITIES
Sightseeing and photography are pursuits available throughout the Reserve. Other activities, especially those that are facility dependent, are dispersed and are located in managed areas to protect the habitats of endangered and threatened plants and animals. To avoid conflicts related to overuse of sensitive natural systems, competing uses, and private property, it is recommended that visitors utilize the numerous public and private recreational facilities.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS
Hunting, fishing and other forms of harvesting, such as clamming, are subject to licensing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. In addition, admission fees, reservations and permits are required at parks, especially those with campgrounds. Most facilities are operated on a first come, first served basis. It is, therefore, recommended that visitors plan ahead and contact administering agencies or individual sites for assistance.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Pinelands is a fragile ecosystem, so please leave plants and animals where you find them; extinguish all campfires, matches and cigarettes; respect private property including homes and farmland; and put your trash in cans or take it with you.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Almost every park, historic site, natural area and village has events and programs of interest to residents and non-residents. These tend to be concentrated during the weekends from spring through autumn and may be of local or statewide significance. Most notable among the latter is the annual cranberry festival held at Chatsworth, in the heart of the Pines.
VISITOR ACTIVITIES
The extensive network of sand roads, while a vital cultural and recreational element of the Pinelands, also provides easy access to remote parts of the Reserve for those who would abuse or destroy the resources through illegal acts, such as dumping. Canoeing the many Pinelands rivers and streams is an increasingly popular recreation activity. There is, however, over-use of certain river corridors which have convenient public access. This is causing significant bank damage, littering problems, and impact on the quality of the canoeing experience.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, a vehicular tour route linking coastal theme-related attractions along the "Jersey Shore" from Sandy Hook to Cape May and along the "Bay Shore" from Cape May to Deepwater, provides an opportunity to travel the waterfront periphery of the Pinelands and enjoy natural and cultural features of New Jersey’s coastal area. The route crosses two national wildlife refuges and two nationally designated Scenic and Recreational Rivers, the Great Egg Harbor River and the Maurice River, both of which are units of the National Park System. In addition, there are over a dozen other coastal rivers, most notably the Mullica River, which have been designated by the state to be scenic corridors of special significance to the Pinelands.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The State of New Jersey provides detailed tourism and outdoor recreation information through the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (CN 826, Trenton, N.J. 08625) and the Division of Parks and Forestry (CN404, Trenton, N.J. 08625). A wide variety of Pinelands specific information is available from the New Jersey Pinelands Commission , P.O. Box 7, New Lisbon, N.J. 08064; or visit the New Jersey Pinelands Commission home page at
www.state.nj.us/pinelands.
Last Updated:Monday, 14-Dec-98 11:52:19
http://www.nps.gov/pine/