Van Nest Refuge WMA – Hamilton Township, Mercer County, NJ Distance – Did 1.7 miles loop.  Trails connect into Mercer County Park, so can expand this hike much, much further! Type – Loop-ish Difficulty:  5 of 10 – some bridges were out when we were there, which involved some fancy footwork.  If they were/are replaced, it would be a 2.

Website – None Open – Sunrise to Sunset?

Note – This is a WMA, but it seems to be closed to deer hunting due to it’s connection with Mercer County Park.

Terrain – Forest and swamp Surface – dirt trails

Trailheads – N 40° 16.137 W 074° [...]

Jacob’s Creek Trail at the Franz Preserve – Hopewell Township, Mercer County, NJ Distance –  miles total Type – 2.7 miles total (that’s out and back) Difficulty:  4 of 10 (only because of needing to cross the stream, which is optional.  Without that it is a 2 of 10 for a bit of elevation)

Website – New Jersey Trails Association Open – mid-February to mid-September – open every day from dawn to dusk mid-September to mid-February – open Sundays only from dawn to dusk

Terrain – creek, meadows, woods, and hills Surface – Dirt with some rocks

Trailheads – [...]

D&R Canal State Park – Abbot Marshlands – Bordentown, Burlington County, NJ Distance – 4.5 miles total Type – One way trail Difficulty: 1 of 10

Website – Friends of Abbott Marshlands Open – Sunrise to Sunset.

Terrain – Fields, marsh, woods, river Surface – Mostly crushed stone

Trailheads – Bordentown Beach – 40° 8’50.63″N, 74°43’2.86″W Rt 295 Delaware River Overlook Trailhead – 40° 9’15.67″N, 74°43’2.21″W Canal Road Trailhead – 40°11’6.89″N, 74°44’47.16″W

Directions – Bordentown Beach – Located at the [...]

Washington Crossing State Park – Hopewell Township, Mercer County, NJ Distance – 14  miles of trail total, including a 2 mile bike trail and a 2.2 mile horse trail.  We did 3.2 miles of trails Type – Web of trails Difficulty: 2 of 10 – some small hills to contend with Admission – Small fee per car on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day (2017 – $5 in state, $7 for out-of-state)

Website – Washington Crossing State Park – DEP Open – 8 AM to 8 PM

Terrain – Woods, swamps, riverside, and fields Surface – Various, from paved to dirt to grass

Trailheads –  40°18’7.94″N,  [...]