STATE
PARKS
www.sparkexploreocean.com 31
Barnegat Lighthouse I9
state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html
Barnegat Lighthouse, or “Old Barney,” is a Jersey Shore icon
and cultural treasure nestled within one of New Jersey’s most
important watersheds, Barnegat Bay. Barnegat Lighthouse is
located in its namesake 32-acre State Park on the northern tip of
Long Beach Island in Ocean County. Barney is the undeniable
shining light and showcase of the park, which also offers fishing,
birding and a maritime forest trail. No visit to LBI is complete
without a visit to Old Barney.
Double Trouble State Park G6
state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/double.html
Double Trouble State Park offers an outstanding example of the
Pine Barrens ecosystem and a window into the Pine Barrens
history, with 8,000 acres of significant natural, cultural and
recreational resources representative of the Pinelands National
Reserve. The park includes thousands of acres of undisturbed
woodlands, the pristine waters of Cedar Creek and an extremely
well-preserved historic village associated with the state’s
cranberry agriculture and Atlantic White Cedar logging and
milling industries.
Island Beach State Park I7
state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html
There’s no doubt that Island Beach State Park is the epicenter
for ecotourism activities in Ocean County. This is New Jersey’s
last significant remnant of a pristine barrier island ecosystem,
and it remains almost untouched since Henry Hudson first
described New Jersey’s coast in 1609. The park offers naturalistconducted
activities, an interpretive center, the Emily Decamp
Herbarium, a nature center, self-guided trails, guided kayak
tours through the Sedge Islands, birding (the state’s largest
osprey colony, peregrine falcons, wading birds and shorebirds
perch here), canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and picnicking
on the beach. A “beach to bay” boardwalk trail provides a
unique transect of a barrier island.
Photo by Bob Cuthbert
Lighthouse Challenge of
New Jersey Race to the Top
10/17–18. Visit (and try to climb!) NJ’s 14 maintained lighthouses in
two days. Tour the museums, take in coastal views and earn souvenirs
at each site for your efforts. Funds benefit the preservation of majestic
landmarks like the Barnegat Lighthouse. lhchallengenj.org.
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
/barnlig.html
/double.html
/island.html
/lhchallengenj.org
/www.oceancountyparks.org
