10 Top-Rated Natural Attractions in New Jersey

New Jersey has a lot more attractions than Atlantic City and Jersey Shore. Natural beauty and incredible landscapes can be found all over the state. There are gorgeous mountains, lakes, waterfalls, woodlands, and much more perfect for exploration.

Jersey City's Newark Avenue, famously known as Indian Street is known as Little India. Just name it and you can find all types of Indian cuisines here from Dosa house to Biryani, mithai shops to panipuri counter. There must be at least 30–40 restaurants in the span of 500 meters. The best and fun part is when Dandiya or Garba night happens, they block the street both way of course with Police permit and play dandiya.

Forest in New JerseyForest in New Jersey

Here is a list of top-rated natural attractions in New Jersey.

1. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

If you're searching for an urban oasis that is spectacular all year round, visit the impressive Great Falls. You can find them in Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park - a 118-acre site, with the falls at the center. You'll be able to see the falls from one of the elevated walkways. Nature formed the impressive falls about 13,000 years ago.

The town of Paterson was established around them as the nation's first planned industrial city at the end of the 18th century.

2. The Palisades

The New Jersey Palisades are one of the top-rated natural attractions in New Jersey. Nearly entirely vertical, these astonishing cliffs run along the Hudson River from Jersey City to dynamic New York. You can enjoy imposing cliffs from the water, or you can take a hike in the Palisades Interstate Park. This park in New Jersey has more than 2,500 acres of Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs.

There is much more to do here than just hike. You can also:

  • Explore popular ski trails
  • Take a boat ride
  • Enjoy a scenic riverside drive
  • Plan a riverfront picnic
  • Admire the gorgeous nature
  • Explore historical sites, etc.

3. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Buttermilk Falls are the tallest falls in New Jersey. They are located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the surroundings are breathtaking. Adventurous visitors can climb a stairway to the top of these steep falls for a stunning aerial perspective. If you come here during summertime, you’ll be happy to know that there is a swimming area at the base of the falls.

There is also a trail for hiking and bird-watching. The stream is beautiful to walk around, and you'll undoubtedly find a way to relax and enjoy your day. Delaware Water Gap also has access roads for cars and motorbikes.

4. The Pine Barrens

Pine Barrens is an International Biosphere Reserve and one of the most beautiful places in the USA. It has its micro-climate and spreads across 1.1 million acres of land, covering 22% of New Jersey's land area. Here you’ll find the immense natural beauty of quiet forests and incredible plant and animal life.

This is a perfect place to enjoy hiking, kayaking, boating, cycling, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. Furthermore, you can even have a relaxing swim in Atsion Lake.

5. Mount Tammany

Mount Tammany is located in Worthington State Forest. It's 1,527 feet tall at its highest point - one of New Jersey's tallest mountains. Coming here is well worth your time because you can enjoy spectacular views in all directions. There are several hiking trails on the mountain. From the top of it, you can access the Appalachian Trail. River landscapes and rushing cascades along the path are remarkable.

6. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

The Great Swamp is one of the top-rated natural attractions in New Jersey. People come here to observe and study spectacular wildlife. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, be sure to bring binoculars and zoom lenses when you visit because much of the wildlife can be seen only from a distance.

You can take pictures of beautiful nature while enjoying a relaxing stroll. The refuge has accessible trails with varying difficulty. You can also take Plains Road and view wildlife from your car or motorbike.

If you’re a nature lover who decided to move to New Jersey and bring your motorcycle with you, make sure to prepare it for transport with all safety precautions. You should clean it properly, empty its tank, inflate the tires, secure all the small parts, and get vehicle insurance. After you successfully move and unpack, check if your vehicle has been damaged in transport.

Then you can use a motorbike for sightseeing in New Jersey and visiting all the beautiful places across the state. It will be a great adventure.

7. Sunfish Pond

Sunfish Pond is a glacial lake with beautiful forests surrounding it. Its naturally acidic water only supports certain hardy fish species, such as pumpkinseed sunfish, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and brown bullheads. The history of the lake goes back to around 18,000 years ago. A wide variety of fauna can be found in and around this lake with transparent waters, including frogs, snakes, deer, beavers, and black bears.

8. Island Beach State Park

If you want to enjoy miles of dunes, head to Island Beach State Park for a stroll or a ride. If you like bird-watching, here you have the opportunity to spot shorebirds, waterfowl, peregrine falcons, wading birds, and migrating songbirds. You can also discover more than 400 different plants in this area.

People who recently moved to New Jersey with the help of All Season Movers love coming to this area to enjoy white sandy beaches and admire diverse wildlife that remains almost the same as it was many millennia ago.

9. Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary

Reconnect with nature by visiting Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary and enjoy an open-air view of hundreds of species of Colonial wading birds and songbirds. Trails across the sanctuary allow visitors to explore an old-growth maritime forest and walk over an ancient dune system. You can see birds nesting and feeding. There are also toads, crabs, and small fish. Explore four different paths through the sanctuary and when you get tired, take some time to sit on a bench and enjoy the view while listening to the birds in this soothing environment.

10. Troy Meadows

Troy Meadows is a large, diverse freshwater marsh, one of the remnants of Glacial Lake Passaic. It's an important wildlife habitat for ordinary, threatened, and endangered species of flora and fauna. It also has significant recreational value. People of New Jersey come here for educational and research purposes as well as for nature appreciation. Troy Meadows is home to a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, and mammals.

Final thoughts

This is only a fraction of the top-rated natural attractions in New Jersey. These spots are ideal for relaxation since connecting with nature can significantly reduce your stress levels. So, prepare your backpack and organize a hike, a picnic, an unforgettable USA road trip, or any other adventure as soon as you can.

Kalyan Panja