Duke Farms, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:

Duke Farms - dukefarms.org 

NOTE:  Closed on Wednesdays, no dogs allowed.

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 40.545747, -74.624868

Huge parking lot that apparently fills up quickly on weekends.  I have only gone during the week.

TRAIL MAP:
Duke Farms Map - dukefarms.org
The Orientation Center has paper copies of the map.

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HIKE DISTANCE:  4.8 miles

THE HIKE:
Took a day off work to go to Duke Farms with my daughter-in-law and grandkids.  The last time I was here I rented a bike, this time it was via strollers for the kids.

Road Trip!

Ready for an adventure.

First to the orientation center for a map. 

Then to the pedestrian entrance ...

... where there is a light and a crossing guard.

After crossing the road, it's only bicycle traffic you have to watch for. 

There are paved paths, gravel paths and mowed grass paths.  We mostly stayed with paved since it was easier with the strollers.

Water features along the way.

Sculptures and stone structures.

A bald eagle flew right over us.

Mermaid Pool

Taking one of the mowed paths that was pretty bumpy with the strollers ...

... but it put everyone to sleep for a nap.

Awake for a snack.

Coming up on Orchid Range which was very, very cool.

Leaving Orchid Range to retrieve the strollers parked at the bike rack.

Trying out a gravel path on the way back.

Crossing the road ...

... and back to the orientation center and parking lot.

Duke Farms, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:
Duke Farms - dukefarms.org

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 40.545747, -74.624868

View Larger Map

Very large parking lot (this is just one aisle) but it can fill up on weekends so check their Twitter feed for parking lot status before heading out.

TRAIL MAP:
Duke Farms Map - dukefarms.org
The Orientation Center has paper copies of the map.

Duke Farms, NJ at EveryTrail


HIKE BIKE DISTANCE:  6.6 miles in 1 hour 25 minutes

THE HIKE BIKE:
This park can be hiked but this was done as a bike.  Hikers are allowed on all trails, bikes only on paved and gravel trails.  There are no dogs allowed so when my hiking partner Shawnee was at the vet for a dental and x-rays of her leg, I had a couple of hours to kill.  I did not want to hike out, be far away from the car and have the vet call to say I needed to come back fast so when I saw that Duke Farms, only 15 minutes away from my vet, had a bikeshare program, that was perfect and as a bonus I was not cheating on Shawnee by hiking without her, which is strictly prohibited.  (Shawnee has bad arthritis in her right knee from an old, undetected cruciate ligament injury, but doctor's orders are to keep hiking!  YAY!)

From the parking lot, go to the Orientation Center for a map and to request a bike.  Or you can bring your own bike.

The bike selection behind the Orientation Center.

My ride.  It is true what they say, that you never forget how to ride a bike.  I had not ridden a bike in over 30 years.

Central Way after crossing Dukes Parkway West.

Duke's Brook

Hay Barn Way

Nursery Way

Intersections have street signs but no cars (except for security trucks and they are around - I ran into 3).

The start of a hiking trail on the left.

I would say I was taking it pretty slow for it being the first time in 30+ years so I doubt I was speeding.

The Coach Barn

It was a little trickier riding on the gravel paths.

If you don't care to hike or bike, you can take the tram.

Habitat Lane

Getting ready to cross back over Dukes Parkway West at the gate and crosswalk.

The path back to the Orientation Center with the bike tent to the left.

Back at the vet, just waking up and not at all amused that mom was out having such a good time.