8 New Jersey National Parks That Make History Fun

If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to explore the great outdoors with your family, why not take a trip to the Garden State? New Jersey National Parks are full of opportunities to learn and explore. There are historic sites that bring American history to life and scenic recreation areas perfect for nature walks and picnics.

New Jersey National Parks

As homeschoolers, we love turning everyday adventures into hands-on learning. Visiting these parks is a great way to do that. Whether you’re studying history, science, or just need a break from the books, New Jersey’s national parks offer something for everyone in your family.

The state of New Jersey has 6 National Park Service Sites and 2 scenic and historic trails that are shared with other states.

1. Appalachian National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,190 + miles long hiking trail in the eastern United States. This huge trail passes through 14 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The A.T. runs for 72 miles in New Jersey. It follows the Kittatinny Ridge and goes through forests, hills, and marshes.

Things to Do:

• Hiking: Take short day hikes or walk longer parts of the trail.
• Visit High Point State Park: This park has the highest viewing spot in New Jersey. Climb the High Point Monument for the best views.
• Vernon Valley Boardwalk: There’s a long wooden boardwalk section that goes through wetlands that is easy to walk. Great for families with strollers.
• Camping: Some parts of the trail allow camping.
• Read the Signs: Many places along the rail have signs and information about nature in the area and the local history of the trail.
• Wildlife Viewing: You may spot deer, bears, birds and lots of frogs in the marshy areas.

Educational Resources for Your Homeschool

Adventure Guide for Teens: You can download a FREE Adventure Guide for Teens about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey. There are helpful tips on safety on the trail, wildlife information, the making of the Delaware Water Gap, and more.

2. Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area is located in New York and also New Jersey, near the Atlantic Ocean. The New Jersey part of the park is located in Sandy Hook, New Jersey at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore.

Things to Do:

• Go to the Beaches: There are seven beach areas Beach A to Beach G that you can visit.
• Bike or Walk the Multi-Use Path: The Mutli-Use Path is a paved trail that runs the entire length of the recreation area in Sandy Hook.
• Fort Hancock: Walk through the old military base to see gun batteries, old historic buildings and learn about the history of defense of the U.S. coastal area.
• Sandy Hook Lighthouse: Climb to the top of the oldest working lighthouse in the United States for some amazing views.
• Sandy Hook Visitor Center: The visitor center is located in the historic Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters, next to the lighthouse. Pick up park maps, and trail guides, and visit the museum and watch a video about the area.
• Bird Watching: Visit the salt marshes, dunes and forests for bird watching opportunities.
• Archery: Gateway has an archery range located in Floyd Bennett Field. Equipment is not provided, you must bring your own.
• Kayak or Paddleboarding: You can kayak and paddleboard tin the calm bays and coves. Rentals are available outside of the park.
• Picnic: There are many picnic areas and picnic tables throughout the area.

Educational Activities for Your Homeschool

Project Birdwing Virtual Program: Grab a free lesson plan where students will explore themes of adaptation, habitat, and ecology through the lens of four species of birds found in the area.

Virtual Junior Ranger Program: Use the interactive webpage to answer some questions about Gateway, some of the native wildlife you can find there, and the historical sites to earn a virtual junior ranger badge.

3. Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River

Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River is a peaceful river in southern New Jersey. It flows through forests and wetlands before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This area is great for outdoor fun, nature watching, and learning about local history.

Things to Do:

• Go Canoeing or Kayaking: Paddle through calm water surrounded by trees and wildlife. The river is great for beginners and those with small children.
• Fishing: Fish for bass, pickerel or catfish.
• Birdwatching: You can look for bald eagles and other river birds. It is one of the nation’s best birding spots.
• Hiking Trails: There are many trails near the river that are perfect for short nature walks.
• Explore the Pinelands: The river runs through the New Jersey Pinelands, which is full of rare plants and animals.
• Have a Picnic: There are many places along the river to relax and have a picnic.

4. Morristown National Historical Park

Morristown National Historic Park is located in and around Morristown, New Jersey. It tells the story of the Revolutionary War. The park shows how General Washington and the Continental Army lived through hard winters in 1779–1780.

Things to Do:

• Visit Washington’s Headquarters Musuem: Learn through exhibits, a short video, and a museum store. Open Thu–Sun, 10 am–4 pm.
• Jockey Hollow Visitor Center: See a soldier hut, mural, and get trail info. Guides lead tours at the nearby Wick House. Same hours as museum.
• Tour the Ford Mansion (Washington’s Headquarters): Guided tours begin at the museum. This is where Washington stayed during the winter of 1779–80. Free tickets given on-site.
• Explore Jockey Hollow: Walk or hike over 20 miles of trails through forest and historic encampment sites. You will see replica soldier huts and Henry Wick’s 1750 Wick House.
• Visit Fort Nonsense: Climb to a hilltop with old earthworks and enjoy the views of Morristown and beyond.
• See the New Jersey Brigade Encampment Area: Hike trails in Bernardsville to find signs where NJ troops stayed in 1779–80. You’ll also pass through the historic Cross Estate Gardens.

FREE Historical Resources for Your Homeschool

Park Videos: The Morristown NHP videos will teach your kids about why Morristown is a great historical place to visit. There is also a 30 minute documentary about the hardships faced by General Washington’s army during the “Hard Winter” of 1779-1780.

History Education Resources: Download a free National Park Service Guide for Educators to learn how to teach history by visiting the National parks.

Become a Junior Ranger: The online Junior Ranger Program is all about the winter encampment of General Washington and his army, 18th century life and the natural beauty of the area. Fill out the booklet online and print out your certificate to become a junior ranger.

5. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located in Paterson, New Jersey. The park centers on the Great Falls, a 77‑foot waterfall on the Passaic River. These falls helped launch America’s first planned industrial city in the late 1700s. The park tells the story of water power, factories, the workers, and Alexander Hamilton.

Things to Do:

• See the Great Falls: Walk through Overlook Park or Mary Ellen Kramer Park.
• Walk the Mill Raceways and Historic District: Free guided walking tours explain the falls, mills, and Hamilton’s vision. You can also use a phone app for self‑guided tours.
• Outdoor Recreation: Picnic, walk, or hike in the park and nearby green spaces like Rifle Camp Park and Garret Mountain.
• Join a Ranger‑led or Self‑Guided Tour: There are free guided walking tours that explain the falls, mills, and Hamilton’s vision. You can also use a phone app for your own self‑guided tours.

Educational Homeschool Resources

Nature and Science Resources

These free educational resources will teach your kids about the falls as a natural resource that birthed the Industrial Era, how the Falls were formed, and the hydroeelectric plant.

Virtual Programs

Sign up for a virtual program that you can do from home to learn about Paterson Falls and American Industry, the Land, the Passaic River and Water Power.

Paterson Falls Webcam

The Paterson Falls Webcam shows the Vista and the sights and sounds of the Falls all day long!

Paterson Falls Junior Ranger Program

The Paterson Falls Junior Ranger Program is a great way to learn about exploring and protecting the park through various activities. If you can’t visit in person, you can mail your completed booklet back for a free junior ranger badge.

Educational Coloring Pages

Color your way through history, and get creative with these scenes from Paterson’s past with these Educational Coloring Pages.

6. Ellis Island Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument

Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, located in New Jersey waters near New York Harbor. It was the main immigration station for the United States from 1892 to 1954. Millions of people came through Ellis Island looking for a better life in America.

Things to Do:

• Visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration: Explore exhibits about immigrant life, travel, and arrival in America.
• Walk through the Great Hall: Stand in the large room where immigrants were once inspected and processed.
• Watch the short film “Island of Hope, Island of Tears”: Learn about the hopes and struggles of families who came to Ellis Island.
• See the American Immigrant Wall of Honor: View the names of real people who came through the island.
• Take a Ranger Guided Tour: Join a free tour to hear true stories and ask questions.
• Listen to an Audio Tour: Listen to real immigrant experiences in your own language as you walk around.
• Explore the Family History Center: Search for your ancestors in historical immigration records.

Free Homeschool Curriculum and Educational Resources

Ellis Island Expedition Series: The Ellis Island Expedition Series is a five-part video series explores the history and significance of Ellis Island for students.

Curriculum Materials

The Curriculum Materials Page has load of educational lesson plans and curriculum to learn about Ellis Island and immigrants who came to America.

• Finding a Home Lesson Plan (Grades 3-5)
• Finding a Home Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)
• Checking In Lesson Plan (Grades 3-5)
• Checking in Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)
• Push and Pull Factors (Grades 9-12)
• Teacher’s Guide for Education Programs: Grades 4-6
• Teacher’s Guide for Education Programs: Grades 7-8
• “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” Movie Worksheet (Grades 3-6)

7. Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is located in West Orange, New Jersey. It preserves Edison’s old laboratory and his family home. You can step inside places where major inventions happened and see where he lived.

Things to Do:

• Visit the Laboratory Visitor Center (Building 1): Watch an intro film. Browse the museum store. Pick up audio guides, Junior Ranger booklets, and Glenmont passes.
• Explore the Main Laboratory (Building 5): Walk all three floors. See Edison’s tools, library, music room, and early inventions.
• Enter the Chemistry Lab (Building 2): Learn about how Edison experimented with materials. It opens when staff are available.
• See the Black Maria film Studio Replica: Check out the world’s first movie studio in the courtyard. It can rotate to catch sunlight.
• Take a Self-guided Tour: Explore the courtyard and Glenmont grounds with audio from the NPS app.

Educational Resources for Your Homeschool

Distance Learning Program and Curriculum: The distance learning program is an online tour with a park ranger that will dive into learning all about Thomas Edison and his inventions. There are even free lesson plans on the invention process and an Edison Timeline.

Become a Junior Ranger: The online junior ranger program will teach your kids about Thomas Edison and the national park. Complete the activities and mail it back to receive a certificate.

8. Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail runs through 9 states and is a 680‑mile path. It follows the roads and rivers used by George Washington and French General Rochambeau in 1781. Their march led to the crucial victory at Yorktown, ending the American Revolution.

Things to Do:

• Visit Odell House (Greenburgh): Rochambeau used it as his headquarters and camped nearby in the summer of 1781.
• See Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site (Newburgh): The Hasbrouck House served as Washington’s main base during the late war years. Includes a visitor center, museum exhibits, and a victory tower.
• Explore Verplanck’s Point (Cortlandt): A key staging and parade site during army crossings.
• Drive or bike along marked “Route to Victory” segments: Many historic roads in Westchester like Ridge Road, and Route 100 offer markers and scenic views.
• Follow King’s Ferry Crossing Paths: Walk sections of the original crossing route between Verplanck and Stony Point—crucial to linking the armies.

Educational Resources for Your Homeschool

What is a National Historical Trail?: Learn about how the Washington-Rochambeau Trail can come to life while studying the Revolutionary War.

Final Thought

These 8 New Jersey national parks prove that history doesn’t have to be boring-it can be exciting, hands-on, and fun for the whole family. From roaring waterfalls to Revolutionary War trails and immigrant stories that shaped a nation, each park invites kids (and grown-ups!) to step into the past in unforgettable ways. So go ahead-make some memories, spark curiosity, and let history come alive on your next New Jersey adventure.