Pigeon Swamp State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pigeon Swamp State Park is a popular destination located in the state of New Jersey, offering a range of attractions and activities for visitors.


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Summary

The park covers over 5,000 acres and features a diverse range of landscapes, including wetlands, forests, and meadows.

One of the main reasons to visit Pigeon Swamp State Park is its scenic beauty, which provides opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife observation. Visitors can also explore historic sites within the park, such as the Cedar Bridge Tavern, which dates back to the Revolutionary War era.

Other notable attractions in Pigeon Swamp State Park include the Cedar Creek Trail, which winds through the park's wetlands, and the Lakeview Trail, which offers expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The park's observation tower is also a popular spot for taking in the scenery.

Interesting facts about Pigeon Swamp State Park include its status as a designated National Natural Landmark, as well as its importance as a habitat for several rare and endangered species, including the barred owl and the bog turtle.

The best time of year to visit Pigeon Swamp State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers seasonal activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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