Northern New Jersey Northern New Jersey

Oct 9. 2022: 2022 Lighthouse Challenge of NJ - How Many Will You Visit? (Oct 15th & 16th)

The Lighthouse Challenge of NJ is a rain-or-shine, two-day opportunity to visit land-based lighthouses. museums and life-saving stations!

May 26. 2022: No Park Entrance Fees at State Parks for 2022

The NJ State Park System has decided to stop (or not start) collecting park entrance fees this summer.

May 20. 2022: Let's ski this summer!

NJ's indoor ski slope, Big Snow, will reopen this memorial Day.

May 12. 2022: Photos of the week! May 12

Each week we share a few photos of fun places around NJ with the hope that you find fun places to explore. This week we are sharing a view of the Water Gap, a tiny inchworm, the Watershed Institute, Washington Crossing, Duke Farms, Tripod Rock, and Fort Mott.

May 9. 2022: 25+ Gardens and Arboretums You Should Visit This Spring!

You need to visit these amazing NJ gardens this spring!

Apr 28. 2022: Photos of the week! April 28

Each week we share a few photos of fun places around NJ with the hope that you find fun places to explore. This week we are sharing the 18 Hole Disc Golf Course at Ocean County Park, Air-Mods Flight School, Holland Ridge Farms, Mercer County Park, UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump and the World War II Lookout Tower

Apr 14. 2022: Photos of the week! April 14

Each week we share a few photos of fun places around NJ with the hope that you find fun places to explore. In this episode, we visit Grounds for Sculpture, the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, the Union Transportation Trail, Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve, Lord Stirling Park, and the Point Pleasant Boardwalk.

Apr 8. 2022: New Jersey's Free Fishing Days - June 4 and October 22, 2022

The June Free Fishing Day is held in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week; the October date allows the public to take advantage of the fall trout stocking. Remember: on these days residents may fish on the Garden States public waters without a license or trout stamp.

Apr 7. 2022: Photos of the week! April 7

Each week we share a few photos of fun places around NJ. We visit Mercer County Park, the Manasquan Reservoir, Stokes State Forest, Round Valley,Winding River Park, and theHoff-Vannatta Farmstead this week.

Mar 26. 2022: 30+ Fun Locations Opening for their 2022 Season

Spring is here... flowers are blooming... days are getting longer... and many fun places around NJ will soon be opening for their 2022 season. Maybe you can find a new place to explore this spring :)

Mar 12. 2022: Portion of Sparta Mountain WMA Temporarily Closed to the Public

Portions of Sparta Mountain WMA Temporarily Closed to the Public while logging continues

Feb 23. 2022: St Patrick's Day Parades (2022)

St. Patricks Day is right around the corner! We hope this will help you find an event near you!

Sep 5. 2021: Are you Instagram? Say Hello :)

Follow along with our adventures on Instagram!

Jun 1. 2021: 4th of July/Independence Day Celebrations By County (2021)

Find a 4th of July celebration down by county.

May 1. 2021: 25+ Gardens and Arboretums You Should Visit This Spring!

With the greener months of 2021 starting to pop up around the state, we wanted to help you find the most beautiful public gardens or arboretums of the great Garden State.

Jul 16. 2020: Have you visited the NJ Outdoor Map yet? You should...

We started working on a new site that will help you find new places to explore. It is called the NJOutdoorMap.com

May 19. 2020: New Parks And Places May, 2020

We have a few fun new features coming to the site (and maybe to some other new sites) this year. Here are what we have so far!

May 6. 2020: NJ State Parks and Many County Parks Reopen!

NJ State Parks, and many County Parks opened this past weekend for passive recreation!

Apr 8. 2020: NJ State and County Parks Closed Until Further Notice

All State Parks, State Forests and County Parks throughout New Jersey are now Closed until further notice.

Mar 16. 2020: State Park Facilities Close to Help Reduce Spread of COVID-19

Open spaces at state parks and wildlife management areas open and available for passive recreation; enclosed facilities, campgrounds at state parks, forests and recreation areas closed.

Feb 29. 2020: St Patrick's Day Parades by County (2020)

St. Patricks Day is right around the corner! We hope this will help you find an event near you!

Dec 15. 2019: First Day Hikes in the NJ State Parks - 1/1/2020

The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 29 hikes, 1 mountain bike ride and 1 horseback ride in state parks, forests and historic sites on New Years Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes program. These free First Day Hikes offer a great incentive to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family in one of your state parks.

Oct 7. 2019: 2019 Lighthouse Challenge of NJ - How Many Will You Visit? (Oct 19th & 20th)

The Lighthouse Challenge of NJ is a rain or shine, two-day opportunity to visit 10 land-based lighthouses. one museum and two life-saving stations. Participants may purchase a souvenir pamphlet for only $2 and have it stamped at each stop of your journey!

Jul 9. 2019: I Heart NJ Parks -- Park Visitor Feedback Survey

The NJ Division of Parks and Forestry is dedicated to the excellent stewardship of the state's rich and diverse historic, cultural, recreational and natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. And they are looking to know what you think about their parks!

Jun 30. 2019: New Locations So Far This Year (Jan-June 2019)

Each month, we try to visit many new locations and meet all types of new groups. We also do our best to add new content to the site, including new locations, groups and photo galleries. By sharing them here, we hope that you find a few new places to go explore yourself!

Jun 22. 2019: 4th of July/Independence Day Celebrations By County (2019)

We have put together this list of great 4th of July celebrations broken down by county.

Apr 1. 2019: 2019 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival

Pick one or join us for many of our fabulous featured events during the 2019Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival!

Mar 1. 2019: St Patrick's Day Parades by County (2019)

Nov 11. 2018: Holiday Lights at the Turtle Back Zoo in 2018

Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters.

Nov 2. 2018: A fall hike through Lord Stirling Park (w/Boondock Boardwalk)

This past weekend, we stopped in at one of our favorite Somerset County Parks: Lord Stirling Park. It has been many years since our last visit and we are very happy we did!