Sep 2026: The trail is open in sections. The 7.8 miles from Burr Street in Barnegat to Musket Road in Lacey are continuous; the next open piece starts at South Street in Lacey and runs north to Berkeley, Beachwood and South Toms River.
Barnegat Branch Trail At A Glance...
- Walk or ride an old Central Railroad of New Jersey line through the Pine Barrens.
- History signs along the trail tell the story of the railroad and the towns it served.
- A big outdoor fitness station, with weights, sits right on the trail near Wells Mills Road.
- Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
- New Jersey Shore Region Ocean County
About Barnegat Branch Trail
The Barnegat Branch Trail is an Ocean County rail trail on the old Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. It runs north from Barnegat Township through Ocean Township (Waretown), Lacey (Forked River), Berkeley and Beachwood to South Toms River, passing through sandy, pine-shaded forest and the neighborhoods the railroad once served.
The path is wide and flat, mostly packed crushed stone and gravel with some pavement, and it crosses a number of roads. Along the way you will find benches, landscaping, mile markers, designated parking areas and interpretive signs about the history of the railroad and the towns along it. A hybrid bike is ideal, and it makes an easy walk or run too.
The Country Lane Trailhead in Waretown, opened in 2013, has restrooms and a display on the history of the railroad and the area. It was the first of several planned comfort stations along the trail.
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Activities:
- Jogging / Running
- Walking
Amenities:- Restrooms/Bathrooms
- Parking Lot(s)
- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Benches
Trails:- Fitness Trail
- Flat / Easy
- Rail To Trail
- Crushed rock
- Paved
Park Type:- County Parks
- Rail To Trail
Contact / Location
Trail & Path Info
Start at the south trailhead on Railroad Avenue at Burr Street in Barnegat. The first three miles, north to Wells Mills Road, are the nicest: a wide gravel path lined with pines and mostly shaded, which makes an easy six-mile round trip on foot. A large outdoor fitness station, weights and all, sits just before the Wells Mills Road parking lot, about three miles in.
There are also parking lots at Country Lane, Wells Mills Road and Station Drive. The only restroom building is at Country Lane, about 2.4 miles from Burr Street, though there are plenty of stores along Route 9. The middle section runs beside a busy shopping area along a road, so expect some road noise there.
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Nearby Places
The trail passes near Eno's Pond County Park in Lacey and Waretown Lake in Waretown, and Double Trouble State Park is a short drive away in Berkeley.
Here are 10 places near Barnegat Branch Trail
- Barnegat Branch Trail (~0 miles)
- Waretown Lake & Recreation Area (~1 miles)
- Eno's Pond County Park (~2 miles)
- Tuomey Park (~3 miles)
- Crystal Bay Peninsula Park (~3 miles)
- Wells Mills County Park (~4 miles)
- Argos Farm (~4 miles)
- Cedar Creek Campground (~5 miles)
- Sedge Islands (~5 miles)
- Trixies Landing (~6 miles)
- Freekin Creekin Canoe & Kayak Rentals LLC (closed) (~6 miles)
- Cloverdale Farm County Park (~6 miles)
Waretown, New Jersey 08758