Pine Barrens? Worth a visit? (Cape May: best town, home, university)

[Alicia Bradley]

I'm considering visiting the Pine Barrens for a few days; I live in NoVA, outside of DC, and would plan on driving to NJ. Are there enough walking trails, historic sites, etc. in the area to occupy someone for, say, two whole days? For some reason, there do not seem to be a lot of, well, interesting restaurants in the area.. am I looking in the wrong place? What would be the best town to stay in if you wanted something resembling a 'pituresque' experience with at least a few creative eateries and such? (I realize I shouldn't be too demanding in this respect - the Pine Barrens are no Cape May/tourist area, obviously.) Also, what season is best if you plan to do mostly outdoorsy stuff, like hiking, biking, etc. - I like fall; are falls pleasant there? (Gloomy is ok. ) I would *assume* that spring would be nice, with wild plants' flowers blooming, etc... What about summer - does it tend to be very hot/humid? (I realize I can look up stats on all of this stuff, but I think it helps to get anecdotal data from actual year-round residents, or at least people very familiar with a place.) Thanks in advance!

[stressedCollegeGirl89]

This would only take up an hour or two of the day, but you could visit the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower in the Pine Barrens. Climb up the stairs to the top and the view of the treetops are awesome! On a clear day, you may even be able to see the casino tops of AC and the building tops of Philly (or so I've heard)! I went on a cloudy day once. Couldn't see anything from the two cities However, if you're severely afraid of heights, I probably wouldn't recommend the tower.

There is also Absegami Lake at the Bass River State Forest, where you can walk some trails and do a number of different things! Lodging is also available at the state park.

[dpi-vic]

When I lived in NJ I went to Pines all the time. Hiking, biking, canoeing and yes the dreaded 4-wheeling (OK 4-wheeling lite). I've been away for awhile so can't comment on current restaurants and accommodations.

Here are a couple of sites with lots of info: NJ Pinelands - Visitor's Guide to the Pinelands and Pine Barrens of New Jersey!

and NJPineBarrens.com | The Pine Barrens... One Click Away!

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

I'm considering visiting the Pine Barrens for a few days; I live in NoVA, outside of DC, and would plan on driving to NJ. Are there enough walking trails, historic sites, etc. in the area to occupy someone for, say, two whole days? For some reason, there do not seem to be a lot of, well, interesting restaurants in the area.. am I looking in the wrong place? What would be the best town to stay in if you wanted something resembling a 'pituresque' experience with at least a few creative eateries and such? (I realize I shouldn't be too demanding in this respect - the Pine Barrens are no Cape May/tourist area, obviously.) Also, what season is best if you plan to do mostly outdoorsy stuff, like hiking, biking, etc. - I like fall; are falls pleasant there? (Gloomy is ok. ) I would *assume* that spring would be nice, with wild plants' flowers blooming, etc... What about summer - does it tend to be very hot/humid? (I realize I can look up stats on all of this stuff, but I think it helps to get anecdotal data from actual year-round residents, or at least people very familiar with a place.) Thanks in advance!

There's always Batsto. Batsto Village Home Page

There are not lots of fun an interesting restaurants in the Pine Barrens. It's a protected area. It's protected to keep development out.

Summers in South Jersey (where the Pine Barrens are located) are hot & muggy.

I'm not sure what you mean by picturesque places to stay & creative eateries. Are you looking for that in the Pine Barrens? The Pine Barrens are a protected wild area. It's not like when you go to Dollywood to have a picturesque view of the Smoky Mountains & lots of creative eateries & a good time on the rides.

[Kracer]

New Jersey Pine Barrens - Walking and Hiking Trails - Pinelands Preservation Alliance


Trick is not to get lost in the extensive pine barrens.

See also the Forsythe conservation area across the bay from AC. Reach it from rt 9 just below Smithville.....used to be a fine restaurant on isolated Leed's point. You can drive for 8 or so miles along dikes that stretch out into the bay. Observation towers and blinds are set up for closer looks at the local wildlife. Migratory birds use NJ as a thoroughfare to pointsd south.

Too bad you don't canoe or kayak.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Kracer

New Jersey Pine Barrens - Walking and Hiking Trails - Pinelands Preservation Alliance


Trick is not to get lost in the extensive pine barrens.

See also the Forsythe conservation area across the bay from AC. Reach it from rt 9 just below Smithville.....used to be a fine restaurant on isolated Leed's point. You can drive for 8 or so miles along dikes that stretch out into the bay. Observation towers and blinds are set up for closer looks at the local wildlife. Migratory birds use NJ as a thoroughfare to pointsd south.

Too bad you don't canoe or kayak.

I can remember when the Pines extended further west, but the builders got in there, which is the reason for the protective laws.

I think that Leeds Point & Chatsworth are the main towns. Chatsworth, NJ - American Profile (http://www.americanprofile.com/spotlights/article/735.html - broken link) There used to be a restaurant called the Road Kill Cafe near the edge of the Pine Barrens that was once written up in the Inquirer, but I think it's long gone.

[Calico696]

I've always heard that there are strange people and squatter types that live in shacks etc. out in the woods of the Barrens. Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Calico696

I've always heard that there are strange people and squatter types that live in shacks etc. out in the woods of the Barrens. Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

You mean the Pineys. Shack is a subjective word, but they ain't mansions.

[PDD]

The Pine Barrens of NJ are very similar to the Sandhills of North Carolina. Both have tons of Pine trees. The pines in NJ tend to not be as tall as the ones in NC.

The Pine Barrens in NJ have rivers and streams that meander through the acres and acres of endless pine trees. Many people can be found hiking in these woods searching for tranquility.

The Sandhills of NC has golf carts that meander through the acres and acres of endless golf courses. Many golfers can be found hiking in these woods searching for golf balls.

[Kracer]

If you attended the University of Delaware in 1949 this is what you learned about the difference between north and south Jersey. Excerpt from "College Geography", copyright 1949.

" The backward pinebelt of NJ lies o the very border of the greatest industrial and commercial district of the US, yet most of the land is still covered with pine and brush, and the cultural landscape indicates that the people are classed among the most backward of this prosperous country.

Many inhabitants dwell in cabins that have neither have carpets or paint; most of the adult population go barefooted in the summer; and the limited agriculture development indicates a shiftlessness which is in sharp contrast to the energy displayed by farmers who cultivate intensively the well-kept truck farms located on the clay loam soils farther north. The backward conditions of the pine belt have persisted through the centuries......."