Take The Kids and Go Outside! Winter Fun In New Jersey


Winter blues? Or Winter fun! Here are some great ways to get good exercise; build muscles, stimulate heart muscles, and improve coordination and balance. Bring the kids outside. Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or horseback riding. Or lace up the boots, grab some gloves and enjoy an invigorating winter hike. Bring the sled and be close to the frosty mountains, icy ponds and adventurous trails among the dozens of NJ state parks.

GO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Enjoy these great parks in our region. Most trails are ungroomed.

  • Palisades Interstate Parkway (Bergen County)
  • Wawayanda State Park (Passaic County)
  • South Mountain Reservation (Essex County)
  • Lewis Morris County Park (Morris County)
  • High Point State Park (Sussex County), groomed

GO CRUISING

Statue Cruises 201-604-2800. Frequent departures from NY and NJ to visit Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Explore and learn about your ancestors. Ellis Island is open. Come up close to Lady Liberty.

GO HIKING

Winter fun doesn’t have to include just snow and ice…why not try an ‘off the beaten trail’ sort of adventure. Lace up the boots, grab some gloves and a hat and enjoy an invigorating winter hike. Dozens of NJ State Parks await and many trails remain open. Check out hiking trails throughout NJ State Parks.

GO ICE FISHING

Who says fishing is just for the summer months? Several parks around NJ are stocked and now is the perfect time to lower your hook. Try your hand at this cold weather sport:

  • Allamuchy Mountain State Pk, Hackettstown NJ
  • Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong NJ
  • Budd Lake, Mt. Olive NJ
  • Ringwood State Park, Ringwood NJ
  • Longwood Pond Ironworks State Pk, Ringwood NJ
  • Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton NJ

GO POND SKATING

Skating the old fashioned way - outside on a frozen pond is the best! There are quite a few parks that offer pond skating BUT make sure to call ahead to see if the pond is safe. NEVER skate on a pond that is not properly marked! Check out NJ State Parks.

GO SLEDDING

Grab your red flyer and hang on! We’ve found some of the best sledding hills in NJ:

  • Chubb Park, Chester NJ
  • Echo Lake Park, Mountainside NJ
  • Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong NJ
  • Ringwood State Park, Ringwood NJ
  • Round Valley Recreation Area, Lebanon NJ
  • Fort Mott State Park, Pennsville NJ

GO SNOWMOBILING

  • High Point State Park, Sussex NJ
  • Wawayanda State Park, Hewitt NJ
  • Stokes State Park, Branchville NJ
  • Ringwood State Park, Ringwood NJ

GO SNOWSHOEING

Here are some parks and trails:

  • Lamont Reserve and Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary (Bergen County)
  • Ramapo Mountain State Forest (Bergen County)
  • Pyramid Mountain Natural Area (Morris County)
  • Allamuchy Mountain State Park (Warren County)
  • Round Valley Recreation Area (Hunterdon County)

GO WINTER HORSEBACK RIDING

Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown NJ. Year round riding lessons and trail rides. 973-644-335

GO ZIPLINING

Zoom Ziplines, Mountain Creek in Vernon NJ. Winter Zipline tours - soaring fun – clamp on the harness and get ready to soar above the snow-covered treetops.