Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Atlantic City, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
7 mi north · Fish and Wildlife Service
Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge was originally two distinct refuges: Brigantine and Barnegat. They were established in 1939 and 1967 respectively, to protect tidal wetland and shallow bay habitat for migratory water birds.
13 mi west · National Park Service
Both the harbor and river were named for the shorebird and waterfowl eggs covering their meadows. During the American Revolution, privateers hid here.
17 mi north · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, at Mullica River and Great Bay, is the only reserve in the national system to be named after an individual.
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Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge was originally two distinct refuges: Brigantine and Barnegat. They were established in 1939 and 1967 respectively, to protect tidal wetland and shallow bay habitat for migratory water birds.
Both the harbor and river were named for the shorebird and waterfowl eggs covering their meadows. During the American Revolution, privateers hid here.
The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, at Mullica River and Great Bay, is the only reserve in the national system to be named after an individual.
The Delaware Reserve encompasses over 6,000 acres from the freshwater wetlands, ponds and forest lands of the Blackbird Creek Reserve to the salt marsh, mudflats, tidal creeks and open water habitats of the St Jones Reserve and Delaware…
Established in 1974, Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located in Pennsville, NJ (Salem County) along the Delaware River estuary just north of the Salem River.
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley.
Refuge. Resolve. Renewal. Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778.
The Delaware River, the largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, runs past forests, farmlands and villages. It also links some of the most densely populated regions in America.
Welcome to Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit! There are a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities available at the park including history tours, living history demonstrations, hiking, birding, kayaking, camping,…
This campground boasts a spectacular view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the longest vehicle suspension span in the United States. When it opened in 1964, it was the longest span in the world for 17 years.
There's no other campground in the world where a family can sleep under the stars, tour the Statue of Liberty, watch a Broadway musical and kayak in one of the world's premier bird migration sanctuaries-all in one trip.
Hopewell Furnace showcases an early American landscape of industrial operations from 1771-1883, Hopewell and other iron plantations laid the foundation for the transformation of the United States into an industrial giant for the time.
These 12 sites preserve more than 400 years of American history! We invite you to explore the past and investigate its relevance in our lives today.
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of more than 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System that is administered by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an island of 2,285 acres located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay in Kent County, Maryland.
Located at Blue Marsh Lake northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania, three group picnic shelters are available for reservations within the Dry Brooks Day Use Area.
The Alosa Campsites are boat-in only sites located on the west (Pennsylvanian) shore of the Delaware River near Bushkill, Pennsylvania. The side of the river with the campsites will be on your right while traveling downstream.
Greenbelt Campground is an urban oasis just 10 miles (16 km) from Washington, D.C. This beautiful, wooded park is known for its safety, affordability, peaceful surroundings and National Park Service hospitality.
You may book a picnic areas up to six months ahead. Greenbelt Park is an urban oasis just 10 miles (16 km) from Washington, D.C. This beautiful, wooded park is known for its peaceful surroundings and National Park Service hospitality.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Atlantic City. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by travel my foot 👣.
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Matador Network.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 7 miles north of Atlantic City as the crow flies. Next are Great Egg Harbor River (13 mi) and Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (17 mi).
Based on Atlantic City’s average highs, March–December. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.