Green Trail

The Green Trail is the longest hike at Cheesequake State Park, a 3.2-mile loop that starts at the Trailhead Parking Lot just past the park entrance. It passes the Cheesequake Nature Center, drops into the park's largest Atlantic white cedar swamp, crosses Museum Road into white pines that may be about 150 years old, and climbs to a viewing platform over an open floodplain. It is hiking only, with some hills, steps and uneven ground.

The Route, Step by Step

1. Boardwalk start. Leave the trailhead on a stepped boardwalk through oaks, sassafras and sweet pepperbush. The Yellow Trail splits off to the right; stay left on Green.
2. Nature Center. A small bridge leads uphill to the Cheesequake Nature Center, open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when staff are available. It is worth the short stop.
3. Steps and the cedar swamp. A long set of steps climbs to a junction. After Perrine Road the Red Trail goes left; stay right and descend into the largest Atlantic white cedar swamp in the park. NJDEP's longer trail guide notes that much of it has turned, through natural succession, into a wet forest of red maple, sweet pepperbush and birch.
4. White pines. Cross Museum Road into a forest of big eastern white pines, some possibly around 150 years old, on white sand.
5. Floodplain platform. Climb a set of steps to a viewing platform over an open floodplain dotted with red maples and black birches. In summer it's a good spot for dragonflies and frogs.
6. Footbridge and beeches. At about 2.5 miles a footbridge crosses a stream, then the trail climbs toward the group campground past American beeches, with their smooth silver-gray bark.
7. Back to the lot. Pass the Gordon Field group campground, then follow the gravel Museum Road back to the trailhead.

Good For

• Hikers who want the full park in one loop: forest, swamp, pine sand and floodplain in 3.2 miles.
• Families with a Nature Center stop: it's near the start, so a short out-and-back to the center works too.
• Birders and wildlife watchers: the platform and the swamp edges are the quiet spots.

Maybe Skip If

• You need step-free ground. The Green Trail has long sets of steps. The White Trail has no steps but big hills and roots, and park roads such as Museum Road are flatter options.
• You only have half an hour. The Yellow Trail is a 1.1-mile loop from the same trailhead.
• You want to ride a bike. Bikes are allowed only on the White Trail.

Tips

• Ticks and mosquitoes are part of a swamp trail. Use repellent, tuck pants into socks and check yourself afterwards.
• Carry water and pack out trash. There are no trash cans in the park.
• Download the map first from NJDEP (Trail Map); markers every tenth of a mile help you keep track.
• Gate hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; start early enough to be back before the gate closes (Hours & Fees).