Although the entire state of New Jersey is considered a metropolitan area, it boasts a wonderful medley of landscapes, ecosystems, and biodiversity. The Garden State offers nature lovers 49 state parks and forests, five national wildlife refuges, hundreds of preserves, and two national recreation areas to explore.

Additionally, New Jersey’s Natural Lands Trust, an independent agency of the theNJDEP, acquires open space through donations and land easements to protect rare plant and animal species habitat and “rare ecological communities.” The Nature Conservancy
has protected more than 60,000 acres of water and land in the state.

Come see the REAL
New Jersey

In the most densely populated state in the country, there are still many places to find peace, solitude, and adventure. From the northern mountains where rushing streams spill over scenic waterfalls, to the southern shores where rolling waves kiss sandy beaches, to the dense Pine Barrens where legend walks with nature, there is something for everyone.

If it’s the call of the wild you seek to answer, New Jersey boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, from butterflies to birds to bears. And despite its population density, the state still has large areas of wildland, especially along the coast.

An important part of the Atlantic Flyway, the Garden State’s coastal salt marshes and beaches serve as important stopover points for migrating birds. As a matter of fact, National Geographic lists Cape May as a “World’s Best destination for birding.”