6 Can’t-Miss Hikes Near Manchester

Manchester is full of opportunities to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a quick stroll or a more challenging trek, these can't-miss hikes in and around Manchester offer something for every kind of adventurer.

Please note: Drive times are approximate and may vary based on your starting point and traffic. Be sure to check for trail closures and consider weather conditions before heading out.

1. Double Trouble State Park

📍581 Pinewald Keswick Rd, Bayville, NJ, ~15 mins from Manchester

This park features flat, sandy trails through serene pine barrens and historic village ruins, making it an easy and peaceful walk for all levels. Hikers can expect quiet forest paths, views of cranberry bogs and interpretive signs that tell the story of the old lumber and cranberry industries.

2. Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area

📍Barnegat, NJ, ~15 mins from Manchester

Offering a moderate difficulty experience with no marked hiking trails, this network of sandy forestry roads and lowland paths requires basic navigation skills. Nestled in the heart of the Pine Barrens, this secluded landscape features upland pine-oak forest, cedar bogs and small lakes rich in wildlife.

3. Manchester Wildlife Management Area

📍401 Hawkin Rd, New Egypt, NJ, ~15 mins from Manchester

This lesser-known spot offers easy to moderate trails through secluded pine forests and wetlands, with some unmarked paths requiring navigation skills. Hikers can expect solitude, bird activity and rustic natural surroundings with limited facilities.

4. Wells Mills County Park

📍905 Wells Mills Rd, Waretown, NJ, ~20 mins from Manchester

This 900-acre park features a variety of loop trails, including an 8.4-mile trail that is mostly flat. Hikers can enjoy pine-oak woodlands, lakeside views and one of the largest undeveloped tracts in Ocean County.

5. Franklin Parker Preserve

📍1450 County Rd 532, Chatsworth, NJ, ~25 mins from Manchester

A flat and easy ~30‑mile trail network winding through sandy Pine Barrens terrain, cranberry bog remnants, wetlands and pitch‑pine forest. Hikers can enjoy wildlife observation platforms and a charming suspension footbridge.

6. Cattus Island County Park

📍1170 Cattus Island Blvd, Toms River, NJ, ~30 mins from Manchester

With over seven miles of easy, level trails, this coastal park winds through maritime forests and salt marshes along the Barnegat Bay. Hikers can expect birdwatching, scenic overlooks and a quiet, nature-filled experience near the shore.

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