The 5 Most Beautiful Spring Destinations in New Jersey

Are you excited for the warm weather? Are you ready to take your car out on some freshly swept pavement? It’s the time of the year to plan a day (or more) of driving through our home state of New Jersey. Drive from a massive cherry blossom festival in Newark to a natural wolf preserve in Warren County. Explore secret gardens and hidden ghost towns. Kayak down a woodland river. Our list of beautiful outdoor spots will get your spring started right. Grab your friends and family and hit the road.

 

Branch Brook Park

There is no better time of year to visit Newark’s most incredible park. Branch Brook is the nation’s first county park and is home to the United States’ largest collection of cherry blossom trees. The 4,000 cherry trees blossom in April, which is why the Cherry Blossom Festival is a must see. Spend your day walking along streams under cascading pink pedals. In an otherwise urban landscape, Branch Brook’s 360 acres provide a precious natural escape.

 

Great Falls in Paterson

courtesy of Tip Savvy

You may have noticed this stunning scene in 2016’s popular indie-flick, Paterson starring Adam Driver. In the movie, his character writes poetry in perfect solitude staring out at the waterfall. Great Falls is one of those unexpected places. It historically combines industrial architecture with natural beauty. The actual waterfall was formed 13,000 years ago, but the water-power system (first in the US) was built in 1792. When you visit, you can take a tour around the park and see the falls from different angles. Looking out across the biggest waterfall east of the Mississippi is a thrilling and often poetic experience.

 

Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary

courtesy of Tap Into

Are you interested in spending your day off in a secret garden? Who wouldn’t? Located below South Mountain Reservation, the Hartshorn Arboretum is a hidden gem made up of a three miles of walking paths and trails. At this beautiful sanctuary, you can see 45 species of trees, 275-year-old tulip trees, 150 species of wildflowers and 100 species of birds. It’s another perfect springtime destination when everything is blooming. Amongst other events, there will be a guided hike on April 15^th. Go check it out!

 

Lakota Wolf Preserve

courtesy of Vacation Idea

Okay, this one’s a little more ferocious. But no less beautiful.

This spring, forget whale watching. It’s time for wolf watching. It is not every day that you see a real live wolf. However, in New Jersey, near the Worthington State Forest, live a slew of wolves. When you visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve, make sure to bring your cameras. Or take a tour and learn all about these majestic creatures. Aside from the British Columbian, Timber, and Arctic wolves, you will also get to see bobcats and foxes in a natural habitat. If you feel like shaking things up on your next road trip, the Lakota Wolf Preserve is the place!

 

Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens

courtesy of Weekend Roady

The last stop on our list embodies true solitude. Wharton State Forest includes over 122,000 acres of endless adventures; lakes, lookouts, rivers, ponds, cranberry bogs, ghost towns, and historic villages. Spending time in the pinelands doesn’t feel like anywhere else in New Jersey. It’s completely secluded.

In the spring, you must check out the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, which has some of the purest water in the country. On Apple Pie Hill, you can look out above miles of pines. Atsion and Batsto are strangely beautiful relics that you can still camp near. And you will love the Wading River, a wonderful place to kayak on a fresh sunny day. Get lost in this expansive forest.

 

Before you hop in the car and depart on your journey, make sure you do some spring cleaning. For a perfect road trip, read through our quick and easy checklist for maintaining your car. We’ll help you keep it fresh!

 

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