Hikes and Walks in Monmouth County: Manasquan Reservoir

Every New Jersey county offers some parklands with suitable walks and maybe some that can qualify as a hike.

The Monmouth County Park System is a good example.

Manasquan Reservoir      via Flickr

Manasquan Reservoir is a good example. It's a strange place - almost eerie in some ways, but it offers some easy scenic walks. There is the 5.1 mile gravel Perimeter Trail which has widescreen views of the reservoir. It loops all around the reservoir and has a fairly even, well-maintained surface. It is sometimes listed as a "moderate" level but only because of its length.

You can tag on other trail combinations to lengthen or shorten your day. Take the 1.1 mile Cove Trail which is a scenic nature trail at the lakeshore around the Environmental Center and it is open to pedestrians only. (The Reservoir Trail will have some bikers.)

Info at monmouthcountyparks.com and njhiking.com/manasquan-reservoir 

The Visitor Center is at 311 Windeler Road, Howell 07731 and the Environmental Center is at 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731       

The park opens daily at 7 a.m. November 1-March 31 and 6 a.m. April 1-October 31. Closing time is 6:30 p.m. through March 12; 8 p.m. March 13-April 3; and 8:30 p.m. April 4-May 1.

Another nearby possibility is Turkey Swamp Park. 
See monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?ID=2540 and njhiking.com/turkey-swamp-county-park