West Deptfod Nature Trail – West Deptford, Gloucester County, NJ
Distance – 2.3 miles total
Type – loop
Difficulty: 2 of 10
Website – West Deptford Township Parks
Open – Sunrise to Sunset.
Terrain – Forest, swamp, field
Surface – Grass, crushed stone, gravel, dirt, paved… depending which part you are on
Trailheads – N 39° 49.640 W 075° 12.141
Directions – 777-629 Mantua Grove Rd, West Deptford, NJ 08066
Parking – Several very large lots. I parked in the one that is to the right when you first come through the gate.
Dog friendly? Leashed dogs allowed
Stroller friendly? Paved loop inside the park is stroller friendly, the nature trail is not.
Benches? A picnic table most of the way along the trail
Facilities?: Bathrooms may be unlocked
Rules –
Markings – Some blazes and reflectors. Also may be arrows painted from cross country meets.
Map –
Description –
About 1,982 years ago, loyal reader Roger shared this trail with me. And I finally got to it, thanks Roger!
This one is deceptive, because at first glance it looks like just a paved path around the outside of some sports fields. But there are a series of loops that leave the pavement to take you mostly through the woods, all of them well used thanks to cross country meets.
I parked at the lot just inside the gate and headed down the paved trail. In a few hundred feet, you make a sharp right to leave the pavement before you get to the sound wall.
Trailhead, down the trail!
Down the trail we go.
Make a sharp right to leave the pavement and head along the power lines.The trail will head down the gravel and switch over to grass. In September, the flowers were lovely along the trail as I crossed the bridge and entered the shade. The trail reemerges from the shade as you curve sharply to the left. There was a pathway to go straight (think this goes out to the neighborhood) that was closed off by flags for the cross country meet while I was there.
The trail becomes wide open here again as it curves back to parallel the train tracks. The trail crosses a bridge, goes behind the sound wall while following the electric poles before finally curving to the left away from the tracks. There’s an entrance here to reenter the playing fields area, or you can be brave and stay to the right to stay on the trails.
I bravely stayed to the right to stay on the nonpaved trail.The trail once again wanders through the woods just a few steps (although they’d be thickly vegetated steps) from the paved path. It then turns right to head down a service road. When you get within sight of the pump building, leave the road the to the right to follow the trail.
Head right to leave the road and take the trail.The trail will wind through the woods, crossing a small creek. It will emerge from the woods back onto the paved trail. Turn right to follow the paved section.
You’ll head along the pavement, curving left. The trail will sneakily leave the pavement to the right to reenter the woods.
Sneaky sneaky, I almost walked right past it.The trail crosses a few more bridges along this stretch before popping back out onto the paved trail.
Stayed right here to stay on the woods trail. Left went about 10 feet to reconnect with the paved trail.
Fall is coming! (Well, it’s almost past since I’m not writing this up until November).
Back to the pavement.I stayed right/straight on the pavement and walked toward the parking lot. You cross the edge of the parking lot, but do NOT turn left to follow the pavement, instead heading straight to reenter the woods.
Cross the edge of the parking lot…
… but then bear right into the woods.This is the last woodsy stretch of the hike, and it makes a big loop through the woods. You’ll come to a four way intersection (blocked by flags for cross country when I was on the trail), make a right to do the loop part!
Four way intersection, stay right.
Turn left at this intersection. Right will go a few feet to a paved road.
Lots of lovely green left in September.You’ll loop back to that same four way intersection. This time you’ll turn right (as you’ve already taken the other three ways). You’ll cross another small bridge and eventually leave the woods for the last time onto a paved road through the park.
At the road, turn left and walk up past the parking spots. Here, you’ll remeet the paved trail for the last time. Turn right and cross the road.
Cross the road.You’ll now enter the born learning trail! Along this stretch, you’ll look for colors, work with letters, do some singing, play hopscotch. This are mandatory and MUST be done, no ignoring them! Or else!
I don’t like getting in trouble, so I’m following directions.You’ll cross a park road at a crosswalk, then turn right toward the big park info sign, which you’ll bear left at. You’ll then see the parking lot we started at up ahead. You made it!
I hope your singing went well!
Difficulty: 2 of 10
Overall: 5 of 10, lots of little surprises!
Nearby:
Stewart Park Nature Trail in Woodbury is nearby. Red Bank Battlefield is also close.
Hi there…
Love the website and have gotten some really great ideas from here. As a resident of West Deptford however, may I suggest three or four close-by alternatives; the Tall Pines Preserve, the trail system over in Wenonah (park next to Wenonah Lake) or in a pinch the riverside Red Bank Battlefield park. Even parking at the Riverwinds Community Center to access that very walkable area is a much better alternative. The “West Deptford Nature Trail” is an accessible park for those with mobility challenges, as is Tall Pines, Red Bank and Riverwinds, but keep your “nature walk” expectations in check so you’re not disappointed. Just trying to be helpful and thanks again!