New Jersey’s Best State Park for 2026 is a Longtime Favorite

Spring is on the horizon, and after a long, cold winter, enjoying warm weather outside at a state park sounds like a fun thing to do. It's been a brutal winter throughout the United States, with many areas hitting record low temperatures and getting the kind of heavy snowfall that doesn't usually blanket the entire country. So, let's think spring. Each state has a plethora of riches when it comes to their state parks. What's the best one in the area?

The crew at Travel and Leisure magazine has put together a feature about the top state parks in the country. "National parks get all the attention, but some of the country's most striking landscapes are found in lesser-known—and therefore less busy—state parks," they note in the feature. "From the caves of Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park to the hoodoos of Utah's Mars-like Goblin Valley State Park, endless places are waiting to be explored from coast to coast."

So, what's the best for New Jersey? According to their research, it's the famed Island Beach park. "New Jersey's best state park is a beach—or, rather, a barrier island," they state in the feature. "The aptly named Island Beach State Park is a 10-mile piece of land separating Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic. Find your favorite water-based activity here, be it fishing, swimming, windsurfing, or kayaking."

So, if you're looking for something to experience this spring in the state, give this celebrated park a try.

Now, what are a few fun things to do at a park? Miracle Recreation names activities such as having a picnic, flying a kite, hiking and doing a scavenger hunt among fun things to do at any park.

"Parks are excellent spaces where families and friends can gather to enjoy fresh air and scenery," they note in the feature, adding that "having open areas or furniture available encourages people to prepare and bring picnics to your park. Picnics are great social activities that people of all ages can enjoy and adapt to their wants."