By Christine Cura
Hunterdon County's rolling farmland, wooded ridgelines, and rivers create an unusually wide range of options for staying active year-round. The county's parks, wildlife management areas, and rail trails add up to hundreds of miles of accessible routes across terrain that shifts with every season.
For those exploring the best ways to stay active in Hunterdon County, this guide covers the spots I return to most.
Key Takeaways
- Hiking and nature preserves: Three parks and preserves with marked trails, river access, and terrain that rewards exploration at any time of year
- Multi-use trails for walking and cycling: Three rail trails and towpath routes suited to everyone from casual walkers to road cyclists
- Water recreation: Three spots where the reservoir and river give the county a dimension of outdoor access that most people overlook
Hiking and Nature Preserves
Hunterdon County's hiking options include some of the most underrated trails in central New Jersey, with terrain ranging from flat river-bottom walks to wooded ridges with genuine solitude.
Three Trails Worth Adding to the Rotation
- Ken Lockwood Gorge: A 7.5-mile trail in Lebanon Township that follows the South Branch of the Raritan River through a wildlife management area, with mixed forest, cascading water, and options for hikers and cyclists
- Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve: A 147-acre county preserve in Lebanon Township with three marked trails through some of the most undeveloped landscape in Hunterdon, identified by colored diamond markers on trees throughout
- Voorhees State Park: Near Califon, this state park offers nine miles of multi-use trails through deciduous forest and CCC pine plantations, alongside Willoughby Brook, with a functioning observatory on the grounds
These three parks each offer a different character, making them worth exploring collectively rather than choosing just one.
Multi-Use Trails for Walking and Cycling
Two of Hunterdon County's most-used routes are built on former railroad corridors and a canal towpath, making them almost entirely flat and suited to any pace.
Three Routes Along the County's Most Accessible Ground
- Columbia Trail: A 15-mile crushed-stone rail trail from High Bridge to Long Valley, flat and well-maintained with eight parking areas along its length and a surface that handles hikers, cyclists, and trail runners equally well
- D&R Canal State Park Towpath: The Hunterdon section of this 77-mile trail runs along the Delaware River through Frenchtown, Stockton, and Lambertville, offering a scenic flat route with historic canal infrastructure and easy access to several riverside towns
- Spruce Run Recreation Area: Near Clinton, this recreation area includes multi-use trails, a swimming beach open in summer, and boating access, making it one of the more complete outdoor facilities in the county
Any one of these routes can fill a morning or an afternoon without planning.
Water Recreation on the Reservoir and the Delaware
Hunterdon County's rivers and reservoirs offer a dimension of outdoor access that surprises many visitors, ranging from quiet reservoir paddling to a full afternoon on a moving river.
Three Water Recreation Spots That Make the Most of the County's Waterways
- Round Valley Reservoir: A state recreation area in Lebanon Township offering kayaking, canoeing, and small-boat launching, plus a swimming beach open in summer and three marked hiking trails accessible year-round
- Delaware River Tubing: Based in Frenchtown, this long-running outfitter offers kayak rentals, tubing, and raft trips on the Delaware River, with trips running two to three hours and a mid-river stop at Adventure Island
- Big Bear Gear River Tubing Center: Located in Kingwood Township on the Hunterdon County side of the Delaware, this outfitter provides guided river trips with full transportation included, making it accessible without your own equipment or shuttle logistics
The Delaware River options run primarily from late spring through early fall, while Round Valley is open year-round.
FAQs
What Is the Best Season to Use Hunterdon County's Outdoor Recreation Areas?
Most of Hunterdon County's parks, trails, and recreation areas are accessible in all four seasons, with hiking and multi-use trails open year-round.
Are the Multi-Use Trails in Hunterdon County Suitable for Beginners?
Both the Columbia Trail and the D&R Canal Towpath are built on flat former railroad and canal corridors, making them well-suited to casual walkers, beginning cyclists, and anyone who wants a consistent surface without technical difficulty.
Do I Need to Reserve Parking or Pay Fees to Use These Areas?
Many of New Jersey's state parks and recreation areas charge a seasonal parking fee on weekends and holidays, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hunterdon County parks like Teetertown Ravine and Ken Lockwood Gorge are generally free to access year-round.
Contact Christine Cura Today
The ways to stay active Hunterdon County provides are part of what makes this county worth living in at any age and stage.
If you are considering a move to Hunterdon County and want to understand what daily life here actually looks like, contact me, Christine Cura. Search Hunterdon County homes for sale today!
If you are considering a move to Hunterdon County and want to understand what daily life here actually looks like, contact me, Christine Cura. Search Hunterdon County homes for sale today!
