Winter blues? Or Winter fun! Fight the cold and go out and explore. Here are some fabulous outdoor activities to get the heart pumping. Physical activity in the cold is healthy and best of all, there are fewer germs! Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or horseback riding. Or lace up the boots, grab some gloves and enjoy an invigorating winter hike. Bring the sled and be close to the frosty mountains, icy ponds and adventurous trails among the dozens of state parks awaiting you. New Jersey and the tri-state area 

GO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING!

Enjoy these great parks in our region. Most trails are ungroomed.

  • Palisades Interstate Parkway (Bergen County)
  • Wawayanda State Park (Passaic County)
  • South Mountain Reservation (Essex County)
  • Lewis Morris County Park (Morris County)
  • High Point State Park (Sussex County), groomed

GO SNOWSHOEING!

Here are some parks and trails:

  • Lamont Reserve and Rockleigh Woods Sanctuary (Bergen County)
  • Ramapo Mountain State Forest (Bergen County)
  • Pyramid Mountain Natural Area (Morris Cty)
  • Allamuchy Mountain State Park (Warren Cty)
  • Round Valley Recreation Area (Hunterdon Cty)

GO WINTER HORSEBACK RIDING!

Seaton Hackney Stables, Morristown
Year round riding lessons, trail rides.
973-644-3355

GO SNOWMOBILING!

• High Point State Park, Sussex
• Wawayanda State Park, Hewitt
• Stokes State Park, Branchville
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood

GO ICE FISHING!

Who says fishing is just for the summer months? Several parks around NJ are stocked and now is the perfect time to lower your hook. Try your hand at this cold weather sport:

• Allamuchy Mountain State Pk, Hackettstown
• Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong
• Budd Lake, Mt. Olive
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
• Longwood Pond Ironworks State Pk, Ringwood
• Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton

GO ZIPLINING:

Zoom Ziplines, All season soaring fun – clamp on the harness and get ready to soar above the snow-covered treetops. Zoom Ziplines, Mountain Creek, Vernon, www.zoomziplines.com

GO HIKING!

Winter fun doesn’t have to include just snow and ice…why not try an ‘off the beaten trail’ sort of adventure.  Lace up the boots, grab some gloves and a hat and enjoy an invigorating winter hike. Dozens of NJ State Parks await and many trails remain open. Check out the
nature centers and State Parks.

GO CRUISING!

Statue Cruises, 201-604-2800
Frequent departures from NY and NJ to visit Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island! Explore and learn about your ancestors!  Ellis Island is open! Or come up close to Liberty.
statuecruises.com

GO POND SKATING!

Skating the old fashioned way - outside on a frozen pond is the best! There are quite a few parks that offer pond skating BUT make sure to call ahead to see if the pond is safe. NEVER skate on a pond that is not properly marked! Check out the State Parks.

GO SLEDDING!

Grab your red flyer and hang on! We’ve found some of the best sledding hills in NJ:

• Chubb Park, Chester
• Echo Lake Park, Mountainside
• Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong
• Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
• Round Valley Recreation Area,