Nature Lover? Visit These Hiking Trails & Nature Walks in Ocean City

Ocean City, NJ has a lot to offer, particularly if you're someone who enjoys nature. Get away from it all and leave your everyday life behind for a bit with some of these hiking trails and nature walks near Ocean City oceanfront rentals.

Corson's Inlet State Park

Corson's Inlet has several hiking trails you can enjoy. If you hike in the off-season, you can bring your dogs. However, from April through September, your pooch will need to stay at home. The trails are easy to hike and can be completed in about 15 minutes. You can walk along the beach, take in the salt air, and see the dunes. The beach is large with soft sand and is typically fairly private without many visitors.

Ocean City Boardwalk

The Ocean City Boardwalk is a 2-mile hike. You can see the ocean on one side, and houses and shops on the other side. You can run, walk, or bike the boardwalk. It takes about 30 minutes to walk, but you can also spend extra time checking out the wildlife and shops of the area. Locals say they see lots of rabbits. Foxes and frogs are also common visitors along the trail.

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

Cape May provides a 2-mile beachfront hike. It's a wildlife refuge, so some areas are restricted from April through September due to local birds nesting. You can hike or ride through the dunes, and spot unique plants and wildlife. You will encounter lots of poison ivy, so be prepared. You may also see ticks and insects.

Cedar Swamp Trail

The Cedar Swamp Trail is a little over 3 miles long. You can hike the trail in about an hour. The trail is fairly easy to walk, but it can be a bit difficult after rain due to the mud. You can spot birds, blueberry undercover, and pine barrens vegetation. Locals enjoy the small bridge on the trail. As the name suggests, there's a swamp on the trail as well. Deer, butterflies, and turtles are popular local residents of the area that you may see. That said, locals do report that ticks are a problem, even in the winter months. In fact, some people claim to have removed 50 ticks or more after an outing. Perhaps this is why it's rare to see anyone walking the trail.

Harold N Peek Preserve

Harold N Peek Preserve is managed by Natural Lands. The preserve features more than 300 acres of wetland. It's part of the Maurice River Corridor, which is an "Important Bird Area'' according to the National Audobon Society. You can spot lots of birds, particularly raptors like hawks and falcons as well as migrating waterfowl. The birds are attracted by the large wild rice fields. Red Wing Blackbirds eat the rice. They are pursued by hawks. During the winter months, waterfowl including Mallards and Green-winged Teal eat the seeds in the water. You should be prepared for some ticks and biting flies, although they aren't as prevalent as in some other areas. One trail is closed from January through July because a bald eagle nest is featured on the trail.

Maurice River Bluffs Preserve

Another great location for nature lovers is the Maurice River Bluffs Preserve. The preserve features several miles of hiking trails. The trails are well maintained and some are easily accessible for those with disabilities or small children. All the trails are also very well marked.

You can check out the local birds. There's even a bird blind. You can catch a glimpse of eagles, ospreys, and more. You can also enjoy the bluffs which provide a beautiful view of the river below. Oceanfront Rentals With Berger Realty

If you are looking for vacation homes for rent in Ocean City, NJ, contact us at Berger Realty. We offer beautiful oceanfront rentals so you can enjoy your visit and hit the trails anytime you like.