One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse and a visitors center.

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Please bring a biodegradable bag with you when visiting to take your trash home. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

Visit https://njparksandforests.org/sps_covid.html and follow www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks for the most recent information on park operations — some amenities may not be available due to COVID-19.

Open daily 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Office Hours: Open daily 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Visitor Center Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monmouth Battlefield Brochure and Map

Check out Monmouth Battlefield State Park on Jersey Matters

Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center was the recipient of the highest and most prestigious International Architectural Award for cutting-edge building design presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies - https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/14_0093.htm

The new Visitor Center opened to the public on Friday, June 14, 2013.

View the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (WMV file)

The reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth is an annual event at the park in late June. When you visit, you will pass enlisted men cleaning their weapons or idle away their time, and watch the women of the army cook, mend, and wash. You may encounter a drum major drilling his musicians or a court martial. At the parade ground, watch soldiers drill or artillerists fire their cannon. But we must alert you to keep an eye on your children, or the recruiting sergeant may have them drilling with wooden muskets!

Reenactment has been cancelled due to the Corona Virus.

The park offers a variety of interpretive and educational programs. Join us for nature and history hikes, birding and lectures on the bloody details of the battle. Please contact the Visitor Center for a schedule of programs and to register. In case of inclement weather, contact the Visitor Center to determine if a program has been canceled or rescheduled at (732) 462-9616. Program fees may apply.

Special Use Permit Application Package

A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents.  A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year’s prior notice is recommended.

During the 1990s, public and private sources funded extensive Battlefield restoration. The Craig farmhouse and the exterior of the 1745 Rhea-Applegate dwelling were restored, and the core of the Battlefield was rehabilitated with the reconstruction of Revolutionary War fences, lanes and a woodlot.

The Battlefield landscape can be explored from parking areas at the Visitor Center and along Monmouth County Rte. 522. Hiking the Battlefield, you will discover that the battlefields remain a working landscape. One family (the Applegates) cultivates extensive apple, cherry, peach and nectarine orchards. Grasslands and fallow fields are managed to provide shelter for grassland birds and small mammals.

While strolling the grounds, visitors can learn more about the battle through wayside exhibits located on Perrine Hill, Combs Hill, and the Hedgerow. Or pick up one of two detailed hiking guides in the Visitor Center, produced by the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield.

Battleview Orchards, a local family who has been farming this area since 1908, (the Applegates) manage extensive pick-your-own orchards within the park. From the end of May until the end of October, they have a succession of harvests-strawberries begin at the end of May, pie cherries toward the end of June, and peaches and nectarines in mid to late July. Apples ripen about the beginning of September and pumpkins at the beginning of October. (Call (732) 462-0756 or (732) 462-0970 for picking hours and details.)

During the battle, this farmhouse was the home of John and Ann Craig and their three children. The 1746 kitchen is Dutch-framed, while the two-story addition is English-framed. The barn dates from the 2nd quarter of the 19th century.

Craig House is open Sundays 1-4 April - December

Friends of Monmouth Battlefield