Cold Brook Nature Preserve

Very beautiful trail in the fields of gold

The Cold Brook Preserve is, according to the town and county, a 287 acre park with multiuse trails. However, this is more farm than park. There are trails for public use along with ample parking to access them, but this is not a nature preserve or even natural habitat for that matter. The fields are planted for agriculture. In 2024 it was corn and in 2025 it appears to be soybean. Now yes, the surrounding landscape is beautiful, the air is fresh, and being outside is great, but if you're looking for nature, this is likely not the spot for you. I personally don't understand why the town and county allow farming on a supposed public park, but they do. If you want to got for a walk through farmland, then yes, this absolutely is the spot you've been looking for. Given the fact that the land has been used for farming for well over a century and there's a stream running down the center, I was hoping there may be some old bridges to be found, but unfortunately that's not the case. Where the trails cross the brook modern pipe culverts are used.

So given my description of the preserve you may wonder why I'm giving it 5 stars, and that's simple. My goal in discussing things around the state of New Jersey is to get people out and exploring for themselves. While this may not be the type of area I want to go hiking in, that's not to say others would not enjoy it immensely. If I gave something a low rating folks may not choose to go have a look for themselves, and this is the opposite result I want to have.

This is basically a good size farm field with some woods along the fence lines and a stream that runs through it. Also a small stand of woods in one corner with a few paths. There is one dirt road up the middle, but mostly the walking is around the edges of corn fields on the uneven grass margin. Often there is mud. Bring boots.
Great for dogs, or bird watching. It is used for hunting and you will see several deer blinds—wear appropriate safety colors for you and your dogs.
Wide open and gets windy.
Parking for about 10 cars. I’ve never seen more than 2.

It was open fields and a very scenic the paths were hard to follow as they were overgrown. Also, do not wear good shoes as there is animal poop. No restrooms.

Beautiful trails through a corn field with a nice view of the sunset. There's also a brook, as seen in the name, if you walk far enough.