Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

What a great place for a hike! I was in South Jersey for a business appointment and decided to check this place out afterwards. So glad I did. The hiking was very peaceful. Well marked trails. So quiet! For a Saturday afternoon I was shocked by how empty it was. I saw two other people the whole time I was in the woods. If you're ever in the area definitely make a stop.

I took my bike out in the Brendan T Byrne State Forest and had a peaceful adventure! Named after the governor who helped pass the Pinelands Protection Act, it is the second largest state forest. There are over 25 miles of trails to explore. Since I’m not experienced biking in the pines, I did the easier 10.3 mile Lebanon Trail, a wider road that is paved in some areas and sand in others. I started from the Park office made several wrong turns immediately. I checked my map and once I located the orange trail markers I didn’t get lost again. Driving is permitted on this trail but I’m glad I was on my bike because my car would have gotten stuck in the loose sand I encountered heading towards the cranberry bogs. The highlight of my adventure was definitely the diverse landscapes! After passing the cabins I realized I was on the main road that leads to Pakim Pond. I decided to take the red 3.2 mile Cranberry Trail back to the park office. This trail is labeled as handicapped accessible but a regular wheelchair would get stuck in the loose sand. I’d like to return to do the white and green biking trails, hike on the Batona Trail, and camp at one of the cabins near Pakim Pond 🌲🚴🛶🏕️

This visit: February 18th to 20th, 2022 Sarah Rutherford Dwight invited Kit and Me to spend the weekend Sheltering at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. Sarah arrived Friday evening to spend 3 night's for President's Day Weekend... We arrived shortly after noon for 2 nights... This short respite from our normal busy week was in Shelter #1, it's what I would describe as a Rustic Cabin with a wood burning stove, two bunk beds and no electricity or water.. There is a Bath House approximately 150+ yards walk with Men's and Women's Bathrooms and Shower's. We picked up the 3 Sub Special from the Sub Doctors in Tom's River for Lunch and Dinner on Saturday and we prepared Eggs for Breakfast and Hamburgers with Hot Dogs for Lunch today. As the day went on, I asked the Girl's if they wanted Pizza for Dinner. We were going to prepare a repeat of the Burgers and Dog's... I told them that there was a place 10 minutes away and I would take the drive. Sarah in an attempt to sabotage the plan change, asked will they deliver??? So I called and after asking a few questions, they would deliver!!! Dinner was the Combo Dinner of a Large Plain Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Wings and a 2 Liter Bottle of Pepsi for a total of$26.45.. Requested it for a delivery between 18:00 and 18:30 and it was. The Pizza was Delicious and the Wings hit the spot. The restaurant was Romanza Pizza & Pasta, 38 NJ 72 in Vincentown, N.J.