New Jersey’s most famous cranberry bogs are in the Pine Barrens around Whitesbog Village. (The village itself dates back to the 1700s.) What began as a few hundred acres now expands across 3,000 acres of Burlington County as an iconic landmark. In this month’s edition of The Best NJ Hiking Trails we visit the Cranberry Bogs, part of Whitesbog Trails.
New Jersey farmer James A. Fenwick developed cranberry bogs in Pemberton, NJ in the mid-19th century. After Fenwick’s passing, the land was purchased (and the bogs expanded) by Joseph J. White in the early 20th century. This is also around the time White’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth, began cultivating New Jersey’s famous blueberries around the bogs.
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The Cranberry Bogs
Whitesbog Village and the surrounding land – including the Cranberry Bogs – is now protected by the State; and listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Sites. In total, Whitesbog boasts 3,000 acres of cranberry bogs, blueberry fields, reservoirs, sugar sand roads, and Pine Barrens forests. The majority of this is hike-able, for those with the endurance for it.
The Pine Barrens is mostly flat and sandy. However, for those wetter days, it’s best to wear a pair of comfortable hiking boots. Either way the trails are clear and easy to navigate, proving no trouble for beginners. Of course, the trails that extend from Whitesbog Village provide ample views of the bogs. To begin, the best area to park is in the lot at the intersection of West Whites Bogs Road and North Whites Bogs Road. You can reach this most easily from Lakehurst Road in Browns Mills. (The historic village sits along West Whites Bogs Road.)
From North Whites Bogs Road, make a right onto West Whites Bogs Road. Look out for a section of trees, followed by Elizabeth White’s Suningive Historic Home, then some more trees. The road opens up from here and then becomes Whitesbog Trail.
The area provides trails through hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of acres of cranberry bogs. Many of the trails loop right back around to West Whites Bogs Road; but don’t be afraid to turn back around if fatigue sets in. This hike can be deceiving because, as beautiful as it is, it can go on seemingly forever. Be sure to stay hydrated and bring some snacks, too.
For those that wish to complete the loop, continue east along the Whitesbog Trail. This eventually bends north and lets out at Hanover Furnace Manchester Road. At this point, my recommendation is to turn right back around to reach the village. Taking Hanover Furnace Manchester Road only makes the hike longer.
Other Whitesbog Trails
Because of the flat terrain along Whitesbog Trail, this hike also is excellent for bicyclists. In addition, biking covers a lot more ground, offering the chance to experience more of Whitesbog.
Meanwhile, the north side of the village features the Triangle Field. This is the site of Elizabeth White’s experimental blueberry field from 1916. It is currently maintained by the Pinelands Antique Engine Association. Then, across from the Triangle field is the Blueberry Trail through Blueberry Forest. This isn’t a fairy tale, but a gorgeous Atlantic White Cedar forest growing in a former blueberry field. The Blueberry Trail leads to a cedar bridge over an irrigation canal and back to the Suningive Historic House.
Early October is the best time to hike Whitesbog Trails, but the cranberries are harvested from September through November. (However, early October is when the bulk of the bogs are filled.) For those that visit in the summer instead, there is an annual Blueberry Festival near the end of June. Either way, make time to visit Whitesbog Village, it’s open to the public and offers many historic buildings.
Click here to visit the Whitesbog website for downloadable trail maps.
Click here for more of The Best NJ Hiking Trails.
All Photos: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ