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Hiking in Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking: trails, map and practical info

Pine Barrens • New Jersey

Explore this 3.2 km paved rail-trail through New Jersey's Pine Barrens, a converted railroad corridor offering easy access in just 48 minutes. Perfect for families and nature lovers, the trail winds through pitch pine forests and open meadows with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities near Whiting.

5.6 km
Distance
1h25
Duration
91 m
Elevation
Difficulty
Easy
Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

1 community photos

Photos: James Hertan — CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Trail description

The Barnegat Branch Trail South Trailhead serves as your gateway to one of New Jersey's most accessible and well-developed rail-trails. Located in Ocean County within the Pine Barrens region, this converted railroad corridor is part of a larger trail system spanning multiple segments. The south trailhead provides convenient parking and easy access to this linear park that transforms a piece of transportation history into a modern recreational resource.

This rail-trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad's Barnegat Branch line, which once carried passengers and freight through the heart of the Pine Barrens. Today, the wide, flat pathway welcomes hikers, cyclists, joggers, and families looking for an outdoor experience that doesn't require technical skills or extreme fitness levels. With only 3 meters of elevation gain, the gentle terrain makes this trail particularly appealing for those new to hiking or anyone seeking a peaceful walk without steep climbs or challenging obstacles.

[Rest of description remains unchanged as it describes the hiking experience accurately]

Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Recommended gear for this trail

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LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
104 Railroad Ave, Barnegat, NJ 08005, USA
GPS coordinates
39.7540434, -74.2240821
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the barnegat branch trail, south trailhead parking is located at:

barnegat branch trail, south trailhead parking

Lacey Road

Whiting, NJ 08759

When?

Opening hours
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?

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Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
39.7540434, -74.2240821
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking is 91 m.
Allow about 1h25 for Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking (5.6 km).
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
No, Barnegat Branch Trail, South Trailhead Parking has no visitor centre on site.
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Update : October 2026