There are four marked trails at Rancocas Nature Center: Yellow, Red, Blue, and Orange. The Yellow Trail is the shortest and good for families with young children. It begins at the Visitor's Center. The Red Trail goes through the meadow or second growth and can be entered from either the Yellow or Blue Trails. The Blue Trail can be accessed from either the Yellow or Red Trails and goes through the forest. It is the longest. The Orange Trail extends off the southeastern corner of the Blue Trail and goes down to the creek and marsh area. A map is available by clicking here or stopping at the Visitor's Center.
| The Yellow Trail is the shortest and begins in front of the Visitor's Center and ends at the parking lot. It is ideal for families with young children. This trail goes through mixed forest and skirts the edge of the meadow. Note the Douglas fir and deciduous trees before arriving at the small meadow that formerly was the site of an old house. Trees planted by the home owner included apple, maple, and spruce. The area is being managed to promote the growth of early succession plants such as milkweed, a host plant for Monarch Butterflies. Use the Yellow Trail to reach the Red Trail. |
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The Red Trail is a half mile walk that branches left from the Yellow Trail and joins the Blue Trail at the conifer grove. The trail goes through what was once open field. Shrubs and young trees sprang up, changing the habitat. The trail is being brought back to early succession through controlled burns and the cutting of trees and shrubs. Half way along this trail is a bench for meditating, bird watching, or having a snack. (Please take out anything you bring in as there are no trash receptacles on the trails.)
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The Blue Trail is a one mile loop through a mixed forest that begins at the back side of the Yellow Trail and ends at the parking lot. The forest includes mature and young deciduous trees such as oaks, hickory, sweet gum, tulip, and wild cherry. Sweet gum is common. Look for the star-shaped leaves in season and the spiny seed balls which provide food for wildlife. Also along this trail is a conifer plantation (planted in the 1950s) that is pleasant to walk through but provides little food for wildlife. The dense shade excludes most other vegetation. On the southwestern portion of the Blue Trail there is a short bridge crossing onto the Rankokus Indian Reservation.
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The Orange Trail is a half mile walk that begins and ends at the southeastern corner of the Blue Trail. It goes down a hill through a floodplain forest with an understory of American Holly and Umbrella Magnolia. The trail runs along an old dike with floodplain on both sides and views of Rancocas Creek and its tidal wetlands. Wild rice and arrow arum can be seen here in summer. This area is part of New Jersey's natural lands and hunting is allowed along the creek during duck season. Be prepared for muddy sections near the end of this trail.
Click here to go to Rancocas Family and click here to go to Calendar of Events. |
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Please do not bring on the trails dogs, bikes, or motorized vehicles.
There is no direct access to Rancocas Creek for launching boats, canoes, or kayaks.