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Trail Guides
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The Nature Conservancy - Eldora Nature Preserve
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2350 Route 47 North, Delmont, NJ 08314
Phone: (609) 861-0600
www.tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy
From the North, Take Route 55
South to the end where it merges with Route 47 South. Follow Route 47 South to Cape May County, staying Right at the split for Route 47
to Route 347. Travel ten miles and the Preserve entrance is the building on the Left after
crossing West Creek and entering Cape May County. From the Garden State Parkway, take
Exit 25/Marmora. Turn Right at end of ramp and then cross Route 9 on CR 623. After 1⁄4 mile,
turn Left onto CR 631/Tuckahoe Rd. After 33⁄4 miles, turn Left onto CR 610/Dennisville-Petersburg Rd. Travel approximately 71⁄2 miles, turn Left onto Main St., then make a hard Right
in less than 1⁄2 mile onto Route 47. Follow Route 47, turning Right after 23⁄4 miles to remain on Route 47. Travel 31⁄2 miles and the Preserve is
on the Right. Map
The Preserve is open from dawn to dusk. The office and gift shop are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Parking area on site.
| | Eldora Nature Preserve is The Nature Conservancy’s Southern New Jersey headquarters. The site is situated at the southern end of the Pine Barrens along the Delaware Bayshore. A trail on site takes visitors through meadows, salt marshes, and pine-oak woodlands. The habitats support a variety of rare moths and butterflies, and provide a home for Bald Eagles. Migrating birds can be found at the preserve
during spring and fall, and grassland birds find habitat in the property’s open fields. The office is inside a farmhouse, which was built in 1872 and once belonged to a renowned entomologist who donated his land to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The land and house were transferred to The Nature Conservancy, and now feature a nature center and gift shop.
This is the best time of year to search for Bald Eagles, several of which spend winter at the preserve. It is easier to spot them when there are fewer leaves on the trees.
Migrating songbirds gather here as they stop for resting and feeding. Walking the trails during spring should afford many good sightings of a variety of species.
The trails are best in the early morning, before biting insects and the heat spoil your hike.
Migrating hawks are seen soaring overhead and perched in trees. This is a great time of year to work on your raptor identification skills.
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