Burlington – Nature, History and Parks

Burlington combines diverse natural landscapes with tangible history. In Burlington County, you will find parks along rivers and lakes, wetlands, forests and historic sites. Those planning a trip with varied ideas for each day can choose between walks, cycling, water activities, museums and insights into regional agriculture here.

Nature Between Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

The Burlington County park system encompasses more than 1,000 acres of developed parkland. The 55-acre Amico Island Park offers a distinctive landscape: The peninsula lies at the confluence of Rancocas Creek and the Delaware River. Hiking, cycling, fishing and picnicking are possible there. In Dredge Harbor near Amico Island, a heron colony is home to 100 nesting Great Blue Herons each year from March through June. This period provides a specific seasonal reference for planning your trip.

Other park landscapes also have their own special features. The 140-acre Pennington Park on Rancocas Creek includes wetlands, a tidal pond, marshland, a shoreline and meadows. Its extensive trail network is suitable for hiking, cycling and inline skating. Long Bridge Park extends across 115 acres along Rancocas Creek and features upland and lowland forests, a freshwater pond, wetlands, tidal marshland, a shoreline and meadows. There, 2.5 miles of marked trails lead through varied terrain.

For more nature experiences, options include Crystal Lake Park, with more than 370 acres, upland and lowland forests, a freshwater lake and wetlands, as well as a 1.7-mile paved trail. Hiking, cycling, fishing and horseback riding are possible in the park. Willingboro Lakes Park has 2.6 miles of marked trails through varied terrain, along with three fishing and kayak piers. At the Rancocas Nature Center, 3 miles of hiking trails pass through meadows, forests and wetlands; year-round environmental education programs for the public are also offered there.

History and Regional Distinctive Features

At Historic Smithville Park, the 22-acre Smithville Lake is part of the landscape. Hiking, cycling, fishing, canoeing and picnicking can be combined with historical themes here. The village in Historic Smithville Park is listed both on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Smithville developed along Rancocas Creek from a small milling operation into a large industrial plant that employed hundreds of people in its workshops and facilities from the 1860s through the 1920s. The Underground Railroad Museum on the site presents the history of the Underground Railroad in America, with a focus on New Jersey and Burlington County.

Another historical focal point is historic Mount Holly. The Burlington County Prison Museum is a National Historic Landmark. The Burlington County Prison was designed by Robert Mills and completed in 1811. The Warden's House, completed in 1888, is attached to the Historic Prison Museum in Mount Holly, has been restored and now serves as a space for an art gallery. The Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences was founded in Mount Holly in 1860. The Burlington County Historical Society also offers tours and educational programs; its grounds include the birthplace of James Fenimore Cooper.

Whitesbog combines landscape, agriculture and regional food history. The area covers 3,000 acres of peat bogs, streams and forests that support diverse wildlife. Whitesbog was one of the first cranberry farms in New Jersey and the place where Elizabeth White first successfully cultivated commercial blueberries. Scheduled programs and guided tours focus on the history of cranberry cultivation and the rural company town. The Burlington County Agricultural Center also preserves a 68-acre former dairy farm that continues to operate as an agricultural enterprise. Culinary programs and a commercial kitchen complement this focus.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Plans

When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it is worth first determining the pace of travel you want. If nature and varying trail lengths are the focus, the parks mentioned above offer a wide range of options: Arney's Mount Park has a 2.45-mile paved trail, a 0.5-mile gravel-surface hiking trail and 1 mile of designated equestrian trails. The trail network at Crystal Lake Park, the 2.6 miles at Willingboro Lakes Park and the 3 miles at Rancocas Nature Center each offer a different experience. Those who prefer to combine history, guided tours and regional culture can include Mount Holly, Historic Smithville Park and Whitesbog in their travel plans. For families with varying interests, this mix of nature, water, history and agriculture provides a helpful basis for choosing the right accommodation as a starting point for their own daily plans.

Part of the first National Preserve in the United States lies in the Pinelands area of Burlington County. The Pinelands form a unique ecosystem with hundreds of plant and animal species and broaden the region's natural character with a larger-scale landscape area.

More Places for Travel Planning

For further orientation, you can also view the pages on Maple Shade, Burlington, Mount Laurel, Bordentown, Mt Holly, Wrightstown, Cookstown, Palmyra, Southampton, Riverton, Pemberton Township, Cinnaminson, Edgewater Park and Moorestown.

For the overarching travel overview: New Jersey.