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    Cheesequake State Park

    4.0 (88 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    John B.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this park. What started as a trip to do a simple one hour hike turned into something much better. This park is relatively small compared to others in NJ but has much to offer. We hiked the green trail which was about 3 miles (feels like much longer with the rugged terrain and hills). On a comfortable October afternoon the weather was a little chilly but the sun peeking through the trees along with constantly moving was enough to stay warm. Nice thing about hiking around this time of year is that there are hardly any bugs. The only bad part of this trip was seeking so much litter from people on the ground. Kinda sad.. There was also a strange sheen on all the creeks we walked past as if oil or something similar had spilled into them.

    Emma G.

    Cheesequake is one of those places I always end up at because of its convenient location and drama-free hiking paths - any of my chums with working legs can roam around here, which isn't always the case when it comes to my outdoor adventures. That's sometimes the downside of having Hindpaws of Steel. I came here with one of my chums this past weekend for a constitutional on an unseasonably toasty February day. Given the weather, it was pretty busy (not a surprise) and we ended up having to park in the lot directly north of Hooks Creek Lake on State Park Road and walked back to the parking lot on Gordon Road where basically all of the trails begin. We didn't have an official hiking agenda but ended up taking the yellow trail down to the lake (my friend was adamant that we needed to get a close-up look at it for reasons that escaped me), and then traversed the blue/green/red loop that takes you back to the parking lot. Probably about 2 1/2, 3 miles in total. I'm not crazy about Cheesequake - depending on where you are in the park, there's a decent chance you're going to be treated to the sounds (and sometimes sights) of the Garden State Parkway. It's also not particularly challenging either in length or strenuousness, so I usually go to the gym beforehand to justify the calories I intend to consume afterwards. A little inefficient, but these are the choices we make as the metabolism slows to a crawl. That said, it's not entirely flat, and the landscape DOES offer variety - you have a lot of fun boardwalks throughout, particularly in the swampy areas, and there are some hilly sections by the nature center with stairs to mix it up a bit. Also, by virtue of the fact that it's sort of a hybrid terrain (you have the sandy/marshy ecosystem of South Jersey and a bit of the foothill/woodsy ecosystem of North Jersey), this is actually a park where it makes sense to come year-round, weather permitting. Other strong points? The trail markings, particularly at the trailheads, are excellent. If you end up on the wrong trail, that's absolutely on you. Super easy to locate and follow. This is also a strong pooch park - I usually end up introducing myself to at least three or four canines who are thrilled to be out and about. Given how ridiculously easy it is to access Cheesequake off the highway, this is one of the better parks in the area. There isn't a lot of competition though for that honor.

    Hank G.

    On the whole, Cheesequake State Park is AOK. Pros: You'll see lots of different plants in the area surrounding the swamp The staff is friendly and helpful Cons: There are no garbage cans During insect season, you're likely to be eaten alive :-( Swimming is not permitted outside of the summer months

    Samantha S.

    Went to Cheesequake for a four mile hike with some friends and a pup last Saturday for Earth Day. Honestly, Cheesequake is really convenient and a great place to get some mileage in. Some positive points of Cheesequake are that there's plenty of parking, the trails are clearly marked, and lots of different scenic views on your hike. Since the trails are so clearly marked, it's really easy to extend or lessen the length of your hike, which I appreciate. The trails were decently crowded and we passed many hiking groups and some pups. On the downside, the hike is not quite strenuous if you're looking for a difficult hike. The trails are pretty level overall. To turn this negative into a positive, because it's not too strenuous, it's quite easy to bring a four legged friend! We also passed a lake that had A LOT of deceased fish- while I understand Mother Nature happens, it was quite a sight. Additionally, we reached a picnic area where all the restrooms were closed (locked) and there were zero garbage cans. I understand the concept of taking out what you bring in, but this spot was near a paved road too, so would be easy for a park ranger etc. to empty any trash cans. Thankfully, there was not much litter, but it seems odd to me to encourage people to bring in food, but have nowhere to dispose. The one trash can near the entry, also was small, so we couldn't even dispose of our coffee in it. Pros: well marked trails & scenic views Cons: lack of garbage cans and very flat overall Overall, Cheesequake is a great reliable park for some mileage, that is not too difficult, but it is limited on trash cans & restrooms.

    A river
    Madison C.

    It is so beautiful I had no idea this was within an hour of me!! My cousin and I had so much fun!!

    "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
    Thomas A.

    For about a month now the family has been bouncing around different state parks and this one was by far our favorite all around. (But take that with a grain of salt... I hate summer because of bugs and insects and never camped a day in my life.) We opted to do the 'Green Trail' (much to the chagrin of my kids when they realized it was the longest of the bunch) and it was great. A majority of the trail is a mix between wooden stairs and small boardwalks (perfect for someone not that into 'the great outdoors') and an almost-paved walkway with just enough dirt and mud and tree roots to remind you of where you're at. We lathered liberally with Off! bug spray at the start and the only time entomophobia started to kick in was when we took a detour for "Steamboat Landing" which was a complete bust. Once we found our way back to the actual trail the bugs kept their distance. Lake, camping, picnic areas, ample parking - this place seemed to have it all. (Well, except a bathroom that was actually open. I understand we're all in this together because of COVID but we tried three different ones - including the one that was definitely supposed to be open - and we had no luck.) Worth mentioning: this was also the cleanest of the parks we visited with almost no litter anywhere.

    Angel T.

    First time visit this park for hiking. It's peaceful and calm. I was worrying I will get attacked by bugs and mosquitoes, however it didn't happen. Although I already sprayed myself. The bathroom is nice and clean. It is nice place to hike and get to explore. While walking through the trail, we got to visit the beach.

    Jon D.

    Love this park! There's a beautiful trail that starts right off the crabbing bridge and takes you all around the park. In the summer you can swim at the lake and they have some food there for purchase. Super dog friendly, just be prepared to put bug spray on so you don't get bit when you're on the trails.

    Diving prohibited

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    9 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Love bringing the family here for long walks. Even our dog is welcome at the nature center.

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    16 years ago

    I rember going here here as a kid a long time ago. It was a great but they had them giant green flies ...lol...

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    16 years ago

    decent. marshlands cause TONS of mosquitos. bathrooms n showers clean.

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Well maintained trails, with varied difficulty levels. Some trails can be completed in 20 minutes, while others take about an hour.

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    12 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Cheesequake State Park

    Are the mosquitos bad at the family campground?

    Not really. About the same as any other park campground. Nothing a little bug spray can’t handle. It’s one of our favorite places! Try it! We like sites 53 & 8 :)

    Forliage condition in the park? Is it right time to visit now, Oct. 22?

    May be a little early still

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Cheesequake State Park

    We elected to do the green trail because we wanted something a bit longer.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Delaware River Tubing - Delaware River Tubing

    Delaware River Tubing

    2.6(245 reviews)
    42.7 mi

    Our family has enjoyed tubing on the delaware every summer for years. It's a great way to spend an…read moreafternoon in nature

    Honestly, I don't know why this place got such few stars? The four stars that I've assigned as well…read moredeserved. I visited on a weekday and perhaps that made all the difference in the world. My experience form beginning to end was fantastic. I think one thing that seems to bother most people is the BBQ lunch. The BBQ lunch was apart of my package and when I arrived they were just loading the buns to be taken out on the river. I'm getting a little ahead of myself here but you'll understand in a minute. When I arrived, there were already several eager adventurous folks checking in, buying waterproof items for sale, collecting their water rafts and some even already on the water. I checked in with my Groupon and as directed, I left my keys - collected my Kayak and proceeded to the bus. Please note, the rule is, everyone must wear a mask until you're actually on the water; great rule as it gets crowded in the shop as well as on the bus. It keeps everyone safe. I chose the kayak experience which was awesome but the real fun is in a tube. After my journey down the river, I immediately purchase another Groupon just so that I could come back and have a tubing experience. So, back to the BBQ lunch. By the time I paddles my way down (a few signs for the waters edge for direction) to the BBQ shack on the water, they were still setting up. I guess I paddle too fast. I decided to keep moseying down the river as I had already packed a lunch just in case after reading the reviews about the BBQ shack not being up and running. Oh well, next time I'll enjoy a burger. Again, this is the perfect mid week escape. The ride outside of NY is quick and there's plenty of parking. Although it says Delaware tubing it's actually located in New Jersey; well at least the border between the two. I would recommend going early and taking as much time as you like in a tube with family and friends. I would also recommend bringing children as they will develop a lifelong love of being on the water. I'm a big fan now and I can't wait to return in a few weeks. P.S. I was told by my bus driver, they offer a fall foliage experience where they only allow kayaks on the river.

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    Whitewater Rafting Adventures

    Whitewater Rafting Adventures

    4.0(55 reviews)
    85.6 mi
    Free parking
    Free WiFi

    The Lehigh River is a gem…read more The staff at WhiteWater Adventures is very unprofessional. On the van trip to the put in the driver and the safety boater loudly disscussed payroll issues, lunch issues with the on site café and their co workers. These two were audiable to us sitting in the back of the van. Once we got to the Lehigh River, I had hoped the staff would be more professional. I was wrong. Their behavior got worse. The Trip Leader, a man named Jake, openly swore. The staff dissed the customers. I understand that their needs to be an evaluation before a river trip. This wasn't an evaluation of skills. The staff were making fun of the customers. The Lehigh River is a gem. Just find another company to explore it with.

    This is a great way to introduce yourself and your family/friends to whitewater rafting. Be…read moreprepared for a full day from sign in to finish. Check in, safety briefing, bus ride, rafting, swimming, lunch, rafting, swimming and final bus ride. Once back you cab change to dry clothes and hit the snack bar for food and libations. Big barn fire to hang around and chat. We were a group of 7 adults and had no problem all being in one boat. The family ride was very easy and controllable with few places to get hungup ( rocks, trees or underpass) There are guides in front, back and throughout to keep everyone safe and moving along. Overall we had a really good time rafting, paddling and having water fights with other boaters and the pirates. Watershoes a must, bring water to drink and water guns or canons to defend yourself. The lunch was all you could eat- hot dogs, PBJ's, chips, salad and water or lemonade. Can't wait to try a more challenging adventure next time. Enjoy!

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    Whitewater Rafting Adventures - On the River with WRA

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    Whitewater Rafting Adventures - Over 40 acres of playing fields at Pocono Mountain Paintball located on site at Whitewater Rafting Adventures

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    Whitewater Challengers

    Whitewater Challengers

    3.9(187 reviews)
    88.0 mi

    Had a great day is past weekend on the water! It was my first time white water rafting instead of…read moreour usual white water tubing. Whitewater Challengers is very organized and they are constantly trying to maintain that organization, even on the water. From parking your vehicle; all the staff members directing you throughout the property, checking in with different color papers and boarding cards, and even on the bus ride back... it was very well organized. All guides are clearly knowledgable about the river and everyone had a great attitude; everyone really appreciated that. It's obvious the guides genuinely care about making this a great experience for their guests. Our group engaged with Jen and Rober. They had great personalities and clearly love what they do. If you are concerned about riding the river with children or with older family members then have no fear! The rapids were fun but I wish they were a little more rough/busy. Certainly not challenging for families with children; there was a younger Boy Scout group on our trip and they all handled it with ease. Go ahead and book that weekend river trip with the fam! My only complaints were the "hurry up and wait" of the whole journey. I understand we are traveling with a big group and we are trying to stay together but we stopped a total of 5-6 times including lunch. It felt like we only got about 15-20 mins of solid rafting then we had to wait 15-20mins for the rest of the group to catch up. Kind of annoying. And the claim that these are class 2-3 rapids may be factually true but I would consider these class 1 maybe class 2 on a great day. With the stopping and waiting and calm water for almost half the trip, I can see why some people may be disappointed. There were about 15-20 rafts in our group. Overall, this was a solid weekend activity and it deserves 5 stars. With all the organization and very friendly river guides it was a great day. The staff can clearly handle any group and they know the river like the back of their hand. Please take all the reviews into consideration and consider shortening the amount of stops on the river to corral the group; there's got to be another way that is also safe. Thanks, hope to return again soon!

    What a disaster. I have gone twice with Girl Scouts and again with boy scouts. My first adventure…read morewith the girl scouts was generally enjoyable. Nothing notable to report but not overwhelmingly great either. The last time I went with the Boy Scouts was one of the worst weekends of my life. There was some river guide who named himself "zombie". He has the worst chip on this shoulder ever. First, he got nearly naked on the bus clearly wanting to show off all his tattoos. Inappropriate in front of a bunch of kids. If he was discreet then fine. He was showboating and it was gross. Then while on the river, I splashed with a paddle. It is indeed against the rules and I was wrong for that. However I knew I messed up the second I did it. A reminder would have been sufficient. Oh no. Zombie came over immediately and berated me loudly in front of everyone (including the kids). Yikes. I said "understood, I'm sorry". He then continued saying he was "gonna hike me out of 'his' trip" if he saw it again. What? He was going to evict me from the boat in the middle of nowhere and walk me home? Alone? What the hell is wrong with this guy? I don't care how capable or good of a river guide he is. If he's going to talk to customers who paid for the trip like garbage, then he doesn't belong there (especially around kids). Major jerk. Then we camped there overnight. Some camp site decided to have a rager party. Like thumping music turned up to full volume that could be heard for miles. No one came to quiet them down. At midnight I had to walk over myself and ask if they could please let us sleep. They said no and it kept going. I called the campsite phone # and got a voicemail. No one was there to help. Needless to say we didn't sleep at all. Just a generally unpleasant experience. You need to get rid of this zombie person. You can't call yourself "zombie" then demand to be taken seriously. Give me a break. You need someone who can patrol the campsite and keep order and the campers safe. Don't go here and waste your money.

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    Whitewater Challengers - July 2008

    July 2008

    Whitewater Challengers - Waiting

    Waiting

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    Cheesequake State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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