Popular Spots For Off-Roading To Close For The Summer In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Two sites in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be closed for the summer as they attract "unauthorized activities" such as off-roading and illegal swimming, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

The areas known as Parker's Pit and Clay Holes will be closed May 22 through Sept. 1, NJDEP said in an announcement. They will reopen on Sept. 2.

"These areas have attracted large crowds and unauthorized activities – including swimming and off-road vehicle use - creating an unsafe environment," NJDEP said in announcing the closures.

Signs will be posted in the areas and officers will be patrolling.

"NJDEP Fish & Wildlife regrets having to close these areas and understands the frustration of law-abiding users of the Wildlife Management Area system and has worked hard to address these concerns and adapted this year's seasonal closures accordingly," officials said.

This map shows the closed areas.

Greenwood Forest WMA spans Barnegat, Berkeley, Lacey, Manchester, Waretown and Woodland townships.

Portions of Cedar Lake WMA, Menantico Ponds WMA, Wildcat Ridge WMA and Winslow WMA will be closed for the same duration.