Hartshorne Woods Park 

A beautiful park with miles of trails, a lake, and a nature center. It’s a great place for a day of hiking and family fun.

You’ll also find some old military bunkers from World War II. These can be seen from the Rocky Point (eastern) parking lot.

The park is also a popular place for mountain biking and fishing. The trails are challenging but well-maintained. Click for more.

Hiking Trails

With its peaceful woodlands, serene rivers, and sublime ocean views, Hartshorne Woods Park is a hiker’s paradise. The Park’s hiking trails showcase this spectacular setting while offering a challenging workout for both novice and experienced hikers.

The most challenging trail is the Grand Tour, which loops through the Buttermilk Valley and Rocky Point sections of the Park. This moderately strenuous hike can be completed in about 2 hours. The Trail crosses ridges and a few paved roads, and has a modest elevation change.

A shorter but still challenging hike is the Battery Lewis trail, which loops around WW2-era coastal artillery batteries. The trail also has a view of the Navesink River. The Park is open year-round for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

Camping

Located in the Monmouth County Park system this hilly wooded 787-acre site overlooks the Navesink River and features miles of challenging trails. The park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.

The park offers group cabin camping (by reservation), fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. There are also several historical sites including the Lewis Overlook and 2 sets of bunkers in the park.

There are 16 miles of trails throughout this unique park. The Rocky Point Loop Trail is a great hike and offers views, wildlife, and history. This hike takes you through the town of Rumson, Hartshorne Woods Park, and then to Battery Lewis where you can see the old WW2 cannons. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails. Here is another spot to visit.

Fishing

If you’re looking for a great place to fish, there are several opportunities in Hartshorne Woods Park. You can find a fishing dock on the shore or go fishing in the creeks and ponds in the park. You can also find a number of picnic areas and walking trails in the park.

There are 2 sets of bunkers within the park that are fun to walk to and explore. The first one can be found by taking a quick hike from the Rocky Point (eastern) parking lot, while the second is a bit further in.

Atlantic Highlands is a charming, picturesque town that offers visitors many recreational activities and scenic views of the bay. There are waterfront restaurants, tiki bars, shopping, and hiking trails.

Boating

The marsh, dune, and forest areas of the park are open for recreational, fishing, and boating activities. Beaches, a nature center, and educational facilities are also available.

A call to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) prompted a response from local volunteers to a report of a Common dolphin stranded in the Shrewsbury River at Hartshorne Woods Park Highlands NJ. The MMSC said the animal was pushed back into the water by local volunteers.

The park has a number of bunkers that are fun to visit. There are two sets, one of which can be accessed by walking to the overlooks from the Rocky Point (eastern) parking lot and the other is a little deeper in the park. These bunkers were built during World War II to modernize the coastal defense system.

Nature Center

The park is home to miles of hiking trails and a nature center. This makes it the perfect place to spend a day outdoors with friends or family.

The preserve was once used as a coastal artillery battery during World War II, and you can still see the concrete bunkers that remain. It also served as a Nike air defense missile base during the Cold War.

The preserve is maintained by a team of volunteers. In the past, members of Boy Scout Troops 22 & 97, Girl Scout Troop 61, the AH Shade Tree Commission, and Brookdale College students affiliated with New Jersey Water Watch have helped to collect over 3 tons of trash, maintain trail borders, plant trees, and build an outdoor classroom at the bottom of the Mountain Laurel trail. Click here for the next blog post.

Driving directions from Clearview Washing to Hartshorne Woods Park

Driving directions from Hartshorne Woods Park to Deep Cut Gardens