New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve

Try not to pay attention to the legends of Jersey Devils. They (probably don't) inhabit the southern part of New Jersey. You might come across some ghost towns, but not a monster with the head of a goat and hammers for hands. The sprawling area contains a huge pine forest and 56 communities where some 700,000 people live.

This part of New Jersey is a canoeist's paradise with waterways galore. Have a day of fun on the water when you rent a canoe or kayak. Be sure to ask about the conditions on the water when you rent!

Plenty of marked trails let you zigzag among tall, skinny pines with nothing but blue skies overhead. If you love cranberries, check out some of the bogs in the area. Bogs are where farmers harvest the tart red berries that are a fall time tradition in the United States. When the cranberries float on the water, they're ready for your Thanksgiving dinner.

You might not believe that this vast wilderness oasis exists between New York and Washington. The Pinelands gives you a break from the urban sprawl in this part of the country. If you just drive off the beaten path just a little bit, southern New Jersey offers a special place for a getaway.