Off-Road Trails in New Jersey

This trail is mostly sand and light gravel. Coming into the trail off Ringler Avenue, about 1.5 miles in, you will see Apple Pie Fire Tower. If there is a ranger in the tower, you are free to climb up there. On a clear day, there are views for miles, and you can see Atlantic City and Philadelphia. F...
Learn more about Apple Pie Fire Tower Trail

A nice trip in the Pine Barrens with some opportunities to stop along the Batsto River and Batsto Lake. The route can be run either north to south, Atsion to Batsto, or south to north, Batsto to Atsion. Both ends of the trip have relatively large unpaved parking areas to meet friends or attend to ve...
Learn more about Atsion Lake to Batsto Lake

Typical Pine Barrens forest, though with fewer water features. The route can be run either north to south, Quaker Bridge to Batsto Fire Towner, or in reverse. The trail is uneven and depressions do collect water, though puddles here are generally less deep than other areas of Wharton State Forest. I...
Learn more about Batsto Fire Tower to Quaker Bridge

Batsto Fireline trail can connect you from Atsion Lake to Batsto Village. This trail has long spans of flooding present year-round due to the high water table in the area. The main surface of the trail is loose sand and mud. From deep water holes to sand whoops, this trail can be difficult for the a...
Learn more about Batsto Fireline Trail

The trail is a shortcut route between two larger roads. It is a flat trail just sand and gravel, with very slight grading, and can become narrow at times so be careful driving something wide through the trail. This is also one way with so be careful when driving down for oncoming traffic....
Learn more about Battie Trail

Drive the perimeter of the small Penn State Forest starting near scenic Oswego Lake and visit Bear Swamp Hill summit, which is one of the higher points in the Pine Barrens. The terrain is typical for the area being mostly flat. The trails are gravely sand, and you can expect lots of puddles large an...
Learn more about Bear Swamp Hill Loop

This trail begins in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest and ends at Bear Swamp Hill Loop. The trail runs northeast, turns south, and transitions southwest. The beginning is located on Route 72, turning into the forest, and ends at the Atsion Ranger Station. It provides a 26-mile ride through the dens...
Learn more about Brendan T. Byrne to Bear Swamp Hill

Enter off 539. The trail is mostly sand and gravel and is somewhat flat. About a quarter mile in, there is a depressed campsite. After it rains, you can expect pools of water large and small. Some have go-around areas; the best practice is to stay on the outside of them. There can be ruts in the mid...
Learn more about Bryant to Hays Road

Bulldozed Road starts out from either the Lower Forge Primitive Camp Area or the Tuckerton Road trail. If you enter from the Lower Forge road side, you will encounter a rather easy trail. Most of the obstacles are just as you are about to exit onto the Tuckerton Trail side. There are multiple Deep m...
Learn more about Bulldozed Road

Enter this trail from either the Apple Pie Hill side off of Chatsworth Road or from the Washington Turnpike. This 6-mile track runs through Wharton State Forest. There are ponds along this trail to stop and sit at. The trail ranges from hard-packed to loose sand with varying depths of mud or water h...
Learn more about Eagle Trail

This is a great trail through the New Jersey Pine Barrens that's easy to get to and easy to drive, taking you through Bass River State Forest and Wharton State Forest. You can either start off of Route 539 or 679. The trail is all dirt with some sandy sections where 4WD may be needed. The Forestry D...
Learn more about Forge Road to Wharton State Forest

This is the Forked River Mountain Summit Trail, giving you the easiest route to the very scenic summit of the Forked River Mountains. Most of the trail has been recently maintained by the forestry service filling in most of the major mud ruts and water holes, making the trail much more easily access...
Learn more about Forked River Mountain Summit

Glassworks Trail is part of a trail network in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. This trail connects you from Egg Harbor Road Trail to Route 70. The diversity of this trail ranges from hard-packed sand and small washout water crossings to mud holes. It spans about 4.5 miles and takes about 30 minut...
Learn more about Glassworks Trail

Very tight trail through Wharton state forest. This trail can be accessed from the intersection of Bulldozed road and Mines Spung Road, Quaker Bridge Sandy Ridge Road, or even Washington Quaker Bridge Road. Aside from the trail being tight there are a few mud pits, and low hanging trees....
Learn more about Hay Road

This trail is located off of Washington Turnpike at the 5-point intersection. The trail runs straight through the road from Washington Tpurnnpike to 563. This trail is mostly flat with some slight elevation changes and minor ruts. The trail type is a mix of compacted sand, loose sand, and gravel. Th...
Learn more about Jay's Iron Pipe Road

This is a good introduction to Wharton State Forest and the Pine Barrens. Typically this is an easy route. Wet weather creates large "puddles" in depressions in the trail that require some attention. It makes for a nice morning or afternoon trip with friends or family. There are good opportunities f...
Learn more about Lake Atsion to Lake Oswego

Enter in off of Washington Turnpike. The trail starts off with two heavy rutted dips, although there are side routes to avoid them. The rest of the trail you will encounter more of them along with some mellow whoops. The trail ends off of Penn Swamp Road. This area will also flood with rain so be ca...
Learn more about Lee's Trail

Lower Forge Road will navigate to the pine barrens from the quaker bridge area to the beginning of the Bulldozed Road. Also will take you to the start of the foot trail for Lower Forge Primitive Camping Area. This is just under a mile. Once at the end you can continue your journey down bulldozed tra...
Learn more about Lower Forge Road

Make Peace Lake Road runs through New Jersey Fish and Wildlife protected land. It primarily features a sandy and dirt surface with mud holes after rain. There is no risk of pinstriping, and most sections are wide enough for two vehicles. The road can be traversed with a high-clearance AWD or standar...
Learn more about Make Peace Lake Road

The trail is a mostly flat trail, with a mix of gravel and sand. There are a couple of whoops that are extremely mild and some dips. There is a water source close by that after a big rain that brings the possibility of flooding after heavy rains....
Learn more about Marcus Trail