Warren Grove Recreation Area, acquired from the National Park Service in the 1970s, is 617-acres of undeveloped wilderness located west of the town of Warren Grove. WGRA has several unique historic and natural features: Part of the Little Pine Plains, a globally rare forest community, where the mature trees have an average height of 8-10 feet, lies within its boundaries. A large population of the state endangered broom crowberry (Corema conradii) thrives along the edges of some roads and in open fields. The historic 1686 Keith Line which first divided the Province of New Jersey into the Provinces of East and West Jersey bisects the WGRA. And sharing the Keith Line are the boundaries of Ocean and Burlington counties and the boundaries of five municipalities all of which come together within less than an eighth mile of each other. WGRA is perfect for passive recreation like birding, hiking and enjoying the natural beauty and serenity of the Pinelands.
The central region of the Pine Barrens contains several areas of pine and oak forest that resemble the surrounding forests with one major exception: from a standing position, one can gaze over the top of the tree canopy. The Pine Barren Plains, known locally as the Pygmy Forest, contains trees that may attain a height of only about four feet at maturity. New Jersey contains the world's largest acreage of this globally rare forest community, which can be seen within portions of Warren Grove Recreation Area known as the Little Pine Plains. Many researchers believe that this unique stunted forest ecosystem is partly the result of the fire ecology of the Pinelands.
Hiking
The recreation area, as well as the undeveloped wilderness, is open for hiking.
Horseback Riding
Warren Grove Recreation Area is open for passive recreation including horseback riding and nature/ecology study. Access into the recreation area is via several sand roads and old woods roads through the area but no marked trails currently exist.
Mountain Biking
The park’s open wilderness is suitable for mountain biking, as well as hiking, on established roads.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the park and is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Facilities for People with Disabilities
We encourage people with disabilities who require special considerations to contact the park at the phone number listed in the general information on the home page of the park. The staff will assist with arrangements. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]
Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]
Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Protect plants and animals and care for your parks by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!
Swimming
No swimming.
Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.
Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.
Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.
Phone Number
609-296-1114
Mailing Address
762 Stage Road
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Email Address
parks@dep.nj.gov
Gate Open sunrise to sunset
Entrance Fee None
GPS Coordinates
39.75541, -74.39136