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Wharton State Forest is New Jersey’s Largest state forest. It encompasses approximately 125,000 acres covering parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties providing a variety of recreational activities including hiking, biking, swimming and horseback riding. You can find more information about Wharton State Forest and other New Jersey state parks on our website at njparksandforests.org.

Tune into nature, it is the best way to relax!
The team at FREC are ready to show you how with 
many forest-focused educational experiences.
Peruse and pre-register for our small-group outdoor nature programs here:

More than a year after closing for an extensive $1.3 million exterior and interior renovation project, Barnegat Lighthouse will fully open on Saturday, June 10 for park visitors to climb or tour the iconic structure, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today.

The Duke Farms bikeshare program has re-opened for 2023! The Bike Rental Program allows visitors to rent bicycles to explore the property to see areas they haven’t made it to yet on foot through pedal power.

This guide provides information for native plant species beneficial to wildlife of the Coastal Plain region of New Jersey. These plants can be used to help establish wildlife habitat areas on your property. The plants are listed in the categories of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. In addition, environmental parameters for the use of these plants are identified in terms of soil moisture conditions, light preference and plant characteristics. Most of the plants in this guide are readily available from the nurseries and garden centers in this region.

The Jersey Shore is a seasonal home to several species of seals or pinnipeds during the late fall, winter, and early spring; sometimes even year-round as every so often a juvenile seal might be spotted during the summer. Seals are protected pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, meaning that it is illegal to harm or harass them.