Central New Jersey Central New Jersey

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.

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

Oct 15. 2018: Oct 20-21, 2018: The Lighthouse Challenge of NJ - How Many Will You Visit?

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! This event encourages you to explore coastal New Jersey while raising the funds needed for the continued preservation of these beautiful historic sites! This is the only time of the year, when all of the lighthouses agree to stay open at the same time for two days. Enjoy!

Sep 10. 2018: Explore the Sunflower and Corn Mazes of New Jersey! (2018)

When I see a sunflower field, it makes me happy! The brilliant colors of the flower and the thousands of seeds in the center create a delightful sight.

Sep 1. 2018: Howell Farm 2018 Corn Maze Opens in September

The Friends' fall Corn Maze is growing taller each day, and promises to be a challenging course for those willing to step in. The Howell Farm Corn Maze will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 28. There will be special courtyard activities and games, as well as theme-related exhibits and demonstrations featuring farm animals. Last exit for the corn maze is at 9 p.m.

Jun 25. 2018: Independence Day Fireworks By County (2018)

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

Jun 5. 2018: #GetOutGetsFit Challenge #6 - Starting Soon!

In 2017, I started a journey to change my health. I am down 60 pounds, down many shirt sizes, needed to put many new holes in my belt, can go for long hikes without taking breaks and can even mow my entire yard without being wrecked for the rest of the day. I am now able to do more and have a bit more of the life I want. It is a great start, but I still have a long way to go.

May 20. 2018: Keyport GardenWalk, June 2nd and 3rd: Self-guided tour of public and private gardens in Keyport

The Keyport GardenWalkis a unique, free opportunity to enjoy and explore the public and private gardens of this charming town on the Raritan Bay.

Apr 17. 2018: (Closed for the Season) Don't Drive To Holland - Drive to Holland Ridge Farms!

Home to the largest tulip event on the East Coast, the Holland Ridge Farms Tulip Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. The 140-acre farm features more than one million blooming tulips that brighten the landscape with brilliant blues, purples, yellows, reds and more.

Apr 8. 2018: 26 Gardens You Should Visit This Summer

With the greener months of 2018 just a few weeks away we wanted to help you find the most beautiful gardens of the great Garden State. And here you go :)

Oct 13. 2017: Introducing Trail Tracker for New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites

The New Jersey State Parks system has released a new way to explore NJ!

Jul 1. 2017: (updated) State Parks, Forests, Historic Sites, and Recreation Areas will be closed for a bit

Due to the government shutdown in the State of New Jersey, all State Parks, Forests, Historic Sites, and Recreation Areas will be closed until further notice.

May 22. 2017: NJ State Championships Disc Golf Tournament at Thompson Park

Thompson Park Disc Golf Course, created by East Brunswick resident David Wolverton for his Eagle Scout Project, hosted the Sunday Finals of the NJ State Championships Disc Golf Tournament.

Apr 5. 2017: Bald Eagle Chicks Hatch At Manasquan Reservoir (Patch Article)

Great news from the Manasquan Reservoir! Have you ever seen one soaring around NJ?

Mar 17. 2017: The SPIRIT of the JERSEYS Returns to Monmouth Battlefield State Park

Experience five centuries of New Jerseys history all in one place at the annual SPIRIT of the JERSEYS State History Fair - a historical festival for all ages on Saturday, May 13th, Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, NJ.

Dec 30. 2016: 2017 First Day Hikes Throughout the NJ State Parks

The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 19 guided 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.

Nov 19. 2016: Trail Maintenance Day in Mercer County Park - Nov 2016

Volunteers with the Mercer chapter of Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association ( S.M.A.R.T. ) worked hard to fix a muddy issue on the blue trail in Mercer County Park.

Sep 24. 2016: Scenic Train Rides Around NJ (2016)

We have a bit of a soft spot for scenic train rides, and always search them out whenever we are out exploring. We hope this list helps you find a few scenic train rides for your next adventure!

Aug 5. 2016: A Special Time to Stargaze: 2016 Perseids Meteor Shower

This year is setting up to be one of the best years for seeing the Perseids Meteor Shower. With a projected rate of 50 - 150 per hour, this should be a great show to watch.

Jan 1. 2016: Oh, New Jersey, how do we love thee? 118 reasons why...

Many years ago, the beauty of this state inspired me to explore everything that NJ had to offer, and to capture everything that I was seeing. I found that there is much more to this state than the rolling hills of the north and the crashing waves down the shore. There are playgrounds, forests, zoos, museums, miles of trails, sights to see, and adventures to be had, all within a short drive for many. This inspiration to explore grew into a need, or even a passion, to share what I was seeing. This turned in to GetOutsideNJ.com. I just hope my passion and my adventures around the state inspire you to explore a bit as well.

Nov 1. 2015: Nov 2015 Recap - New and Updated Locations, Groups, Galleries

Each month, we try to add all types of new content. This includes new locations, groups, photo galleries, and guides. Click this story to see all our new additions...

Oct 1. 2015: September 2015 Recap - New and Updated Locations, Groups, Galleries

Each month, we try to add all types of new content. This includes new locations, groups, photo galleries, and guides. Click this story to see all our new additions...

Oct 1. 2015: Fall And Winter Recap - March 2016

Each month we try to find fun new places to visit. Other the fall and winter seasons, we usually "slow down" a bit once the weather gets cold. But that does not mean that we do not stop getting outside :)

Sep 1. 2015: August 2015 Recap - New and Updated Locations, Groups, Galleries

Each month, we try to add all types of new content. This includes new locations, groups, photo galleries, and guides. Click this story to see all our new additions...