Our FAV NJ Nature Studies Hot Spots!

In this list, we've rounded up a few of our favorite Nature Studies resources in New Jersey. It's all categorized with links included. To tailor this list for our families, we've stuck to North and Central NJ regions only.

Remember, Wildflower Homeschool Collective does not work for any of these resources listed, so you will need to click the links and check out the provider websites for specific information on their programming, schedules, and costs.

Nature Centers

The locations listed offer self-guided explorations as well as group classes, seasonal homeschool programs, camps, events, and more!

Flat Rock Brook, Englewood, NJ

Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly, NJ

J.A. Mc Faul Evironmental Center, Wyckoff, NJ

Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck, NJ

Meadowlands Environmental Center, Lyndhurst, NJ

The Celery Farm, Allendale, NJ

The New Weis Center, Ringwood, NJ

Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne, NJ

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham, NJ

Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morris, NJ

Six Mile Run State Park, Somerset, NJ

D&R Canal State Park, New Brunswick, NJ

Parks and Trail Systems

New Jersey is FULL of beautiful parks and trail systems to explore. You can go self-guided, pick up a trailmap at the welcome cetner or trail head, fish, swim, boat, camp, or grab some friends to go geocaching!

Wawayanda State Park, Hewitt, NJ

Norvin Green State Forest, Ringwood, NJ

Ringwood State Park, Ringwood, NJ

Ramapo Mountain State Forest, Ramapo, NJ

South Mountain Conservancy, West Orange, NJ

State Line Lookout, Alpine, NJ

Overpeck County Park, Leonia, NJ

Franklin Lakes Preserve, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Paterson Great Falls, Paterson, NJ

Garret Mountain Reservation, Woodland Park, NJ

Hacklebarney State Park, Long Valley, NJ

Cheesequake State Park, Matawan, NJ

High Point State Park, Wantage, NJ

Worthington State Forest, Columbia, NJ

Darlington County State Park, Mahwah, NJ

Living, Working, and Educational Farms

Educational farms are a great option to take advantage of for family trips, homeschool classes, and seasonal events.

Montclair Community Farms, Montclair, NJ

Howell Living History Farms, Hopewell Twp, NJ

Alstede Farms, Chester, NJ

Fosterfields Living Historic Farms, Morris, NJ

Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Fernbrook Farms, Chesterfield, NJ

Nature Skills Building Programs

If you're looking to level up your Naturalist skills, try one of the proams below.

Primitive Skills Classes, Ringwood, NJ

Watershed Camp, Pennington, NJ

NJ Audobon Summer Camps

NJ Audobon Young Birders Club

Montclair Community Farm Camp

NJDEP Wildlife Classes

American Littoral Society

City Green High School Internship

City Green Climate Action Collective

Animal Sanctuaries and Zoos

Want to get up close and personal with animals? Try one of the links below.

Turtleback Zoo, West Orange, NJ

Bergen County Zoo, Paramus, NJ

Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia, NJ

Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville, NJ

The Raptor Trust, Millington, NJ

Bergen County Horse Rescue, Mahwah, NJ