Detailed Map?

[Macklin96]

Hey guys, going to go ahead and apologize right off for probably a dumb question.
Is there a map showing locations of popular places to check out in the pine barrens? I have been checking alot of threads on here and other websites as well but its soooo much information to try to look up individually especially when not from the area. Didnt know if somewhere there was a map of the entire area with stars or something where stuff is.

I am going to visit this sunday in my Jeep (very respectful I only stay on the roads, I wheel alot in PA) coming over on the ferry from DE so trying to stay south. I dont mind driving up to wharton state forest if thats the best place. Id like to maybe see some old towns or nice scenery maybe some lakes and such. Just looking for a nice relaxing drive with my girlfriend. so if anyone has any suggestions that would be great.

Thanks

 

[Teegate]

If you want to stay south you need to wait for Manumuskin to respond. He is the man!

 

[PineBarrens Advocate]

On the Southern end of the NJ Pine Barrens one suggestion is Belleplain State Forest, about 40 minute drive North from Cape May Ferry.....nice hiking trails....beautiful Lake Nummy....the area is rich with history as well. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html

 

[bobpbx]

I really think Batsto Village should be first on the list. You drive a bit more, but you can get a lot of information there too.

 

[Boyd]

I have a several free maps that you might find helpful. If you have a Garmin GPS, this is my most recent map. It also works on computers with Garmin's free Basecamp software. It covers the core pine barrens area, but not the far south. It contains lots of data, click on anything to see the type of vegetation, addresses of buildings and more. Download it here, documentation is included: core_pines.zip

This map works in Google Earth and has extreme detail including shaded terrain from LIDAR imagery. Coverage is limited to the area around Wharton State Forest however. Download here: boydmap_wharton_30.zip

This map is a fusion of aerial and LIDAR imagery, it works on recent Garmin handheld devices, on your computer with Basecamp (free) or Google Earth. Covers just about all of South Jersey except the Cape May peninsula. Full documentation included: http://boydsmaps.com/download/LIDAR_in_the_Pines_020.zip

Here's a historical topo of all South Jersey circa 1900 that can be used as a companion to Beck's classic book Forgotten Towns of Southern New Jersey. It works in Google Earth: becks_pines.zip

This one covers a similar area, circa 1940: the_pines_in_the_1940s.zip

Finally, there are more maps in Garmin's format available at GPSFileDepot: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/byuser/282/

The 2012 map covers the entire state of NJ: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/294/

Have a great time!

 

[dogg57]

Mr Map Thank you

 

[Boyd]

You're welcome!

I began work on a website for my maps and hope to offer them (for free) in a variety of formats, including apps for Apple and Android phones and tablets. Unfortnately I got distracted with other things but will circle back around and complete this eventually, although it will probably be a few more months.

 

[manumuskin]

Hey guys, going to go ahead and apologize right off for probably a dumb question.
Is there a map showing locations of popular places to check out in the pine barrens? I have been checking alot of threads on here and other websites as well but its soooo much information to try to look up individually especially when not from the area. Didnt know if somewhere there was a map of the entire area with stars or something where stuff is.

I am going to visit this sunday in my Jeep (very respectful I only stay on the roads, I wheel alot in PA) coming over on the ferry from DE so trying to stay south. I dont mind driving up to wharton state forest if thats the best place. Id like to maybe see some old towns or nice scenery maybe some lakes and such. Just looking for a nice relaxing drive with my girlfriend. so if anyone has any suggestions that would be great.

Thanks

Macklin96
We have One nice Ghost Town in the Down Under that I know of a quite a few Individual historical old sites down here plus baileytown which isn't really that old but still interesting.Belleplain State Forest is great for Biking or driving old roads.Peaslees is quite a huge area but beware some of the roads there are pretty bad. We have some real nice salt marsh drives and Bayside hikes. Best time of year for the bay,winter chill is gone and the bugs aren't out yet,Falls even better actually. I can lead you to some very barrens type areas down here but those areas are much smaller then up in the core.You can literally drive dirt roads up in the core for hours without hitting blacktop if you work a big circle. Also over in Boyd Country you have Atlantic County park which is very interesting historically with many ruins of an old WW1 munitions plant and town along with some nice woods rides over that way as well and a nice long dike ride as well. Is scenic driving and old ruins your thing you could actually make an entire day out of Atlantic county park and some rides in the park and nearby I can lead you to. Of course this would be almost as far as going to Wharton itself since it's over by Mays Landing. If you want the Cumberland county area many of our WMA's just closed most of their roads for the summer but we have some nice bay accesses and drives and I can show you a nice barrens type hike to a Ghost town on nature Conservancy property down good trails. Let me know just what you want and I"ll send you some maps and info.Boyd's maps would also show these areas so if your GPS savvy they'd be a good thing to have.

 

[Boyd]

Also over in Boyd Country you have Atlantic County park which is very interesting

LOL, I didn't realize I had my own Country!

Al has some great ideas. You really could spend a whole day exploring the Atlantic County Park at Estell Manor. There are obvious tourist attractions like the Glassworks ruins, Veterans Cemetery, picnic areas and nature center. But there is a very nice trail network through the ruins of a 100 year old Munitions plant. Lots of interesting ruins right along the trails. The real gems are buried deep in the woods, are difficult to find and you will be bloody from going through dense holly, laurel and greenbrier thickets if you venture in there.

There's a nice elevated boardwalk that runs from the South end of the Park to the North end along the South River. IIRC, it's over two miles long and has some really nice views along the way. If you go on a week day you will probably have it all to yourself.

My NJ 2012 map should have all the Estell Manor trails. And also all the Belleplain State Forest trails, that is another great place to spend a day. The Maple Lake, Lenape Farms, Tuckahoe and several other WMA's are right next to the Estell Manor Park, so there are thousands of acres to explore.

Here's a nice drive from Delaware Bay to Estell Manor on little roads, mostly unpaved but usually in very good condition. (the last time I mentioned this, Al said I gave away his secret route, LOL)

Turn onto Hunters Mill road from Rt 616 in Dorchester and drive East: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.275996006654346&lng=-74.97419971626283&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Continue East across Rt 47 to Rt 347. At this point Hunters Mill becomes unpaved: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.28026477559299&lng=-74.94847196739198&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Just continue East, you will pass several active gravel pits and may see some trucks. You will then cross Rt 548 (Weatherby Rd), continue Northeast on Hunters Mill, which is still unpaved: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.305523253926026&lng=-74.88819736640932&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Hunters Mill ends at Rt 49, turn right and go for just a few hundred feet to First Ave (which is also unpaved), then turn left and follow First Ave Northeast: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.3236353273266&lng=-74.86053842704774&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Continue East on First Ave until you reach Cape May Ave or Rt 666 (kids like to steal the signs). Just keep going East on First Ave, at this point it becomes paved again. http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.35040471455188&lng=-74.81270927589418&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Follow First Ave across Tuckahoe Rd (Rt 557) and continue Northeast past Honest John Rd. First ends at Cumberland Ave here. Follow Cumberland a few hundred feet and you hit Rt 50: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.38791106901733&lng=-74.75930112998964&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

Turn left (North) on Rt 50 and it's maybe 1/4 mile to the Estell Manor Park entrance, which will be on your right. http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.39784414019133&lng=-74.74567550819398&z=16&type=terrain&gpx=

 

[RednekF350]

Holy Schmolly Boyd ! That looks like a great ride ! I am going to have to try it.

Macklin 96, don't overlook the huge WMA named Lenape Farms in Estell Manor. You could spend a week in there.

 

[Boyd]

Yes - when you reach Rt 50 and Cumberland Ave, you're right in the middle of it.

BTW, I have posted in other threads about a place named Gregorio's Market on Rt 50 South in Mays Landing: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.44397333015743&lng=-74.73601150911333&z=17&type=hybrid&gpx=

About 5 years ago it was sold to new owners with ambitious plans. Unfortunately they couldn't make it work and it's sat there empty for almost 3 years. I had all but given up until a few weeks ago, when it re-opened under new management. It is now called the Route 50 Market. Great place to stop for take-out, produce and groceries on your way to the Parks and WMA. The new owners have kept the exact same menu as Gregorio's in fact, just like they never closed.

No affiliation - but go there anyway, I don't want the new owners to go broke.

 

[manumuskin]

A wade upstream on Tuckahoe River from Hunters Mill is an awesome summer adventure but might not be a family outing type . Also there is a nice dike drive between Atlantic County park and Tuckahoe and another Dike drive south of Tuckahoe as well.Their both in WMA. They encircle fresh water impoundments on one side and salt marsh on the other.Great birding opportunites along these dikes and and some good crabbing in season as well. Some nice trails for hiking off of them as well.No blazed trails that i know of but some nice old road walking and hidden ponds.