The Pinelands National Reserve covers about 1.1 million acres, with parts of seven counties and all or part of 56 municipalities. A federal law created it in 1978, and the state passed the Pinelands Protection Act in 1979.
The New Jersey Pinelands
The Pinelands, or Pine Barrens, cover a big part of South Jersey. Here are the basics and the places to visit, from the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.
Pinelands facts Water and wildlife The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer under the Pinelands holds an estimated 17.7 trillion gallons of water. The Reserve is home to 27 kinds of wild orchids, the Commission says.
State forests to visit The Commission lists Wharton State Forest (home of Batsto Village and Atsion Village), Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (home of Whitesbog Village), Bass River State Forest, Belleplain State Forest and Penn State Forest among the places to visit.
The Batona Trail A hiking trail about 50 miles long that links Brendan T. Byrne, Wharton and Bass River state forests.
County parks in the Pinelands The Commission also lists Estell Manor and Weymouth Furnace in Atlantic County and the Rancocas Creek Canoe Trail in Burlington County.
See also: County parks · National wildlife refuges · Remember when
Sources: NJ Pinelands Commission: Pinelands facts (December 6, 2021) · NJ Pinelands Commission: Recreational opportunities.