OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES ONLYTHE STATE & NATION RELEASE ARCHIVE
THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESK

STATE & NATION TRAVEL

New Jersey Travel.

National parks, historic sites and practical visitor updates, directly from the National Park Service.

NPS sources checked 10/3/2026, 3:10:48 PM Eastern

Travel Alerts & Closures

CHECK BEFORE DEPARTURE

Note About Using GPS for Directions

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501. Use this full address when searching using a GPS device or map app or use GPS coordinates N40.91533° W74.17992°

Official NPS source

List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene

Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable future. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for an up-to-date list of closures. OBSERVE ALL CLOSURES. Stay safe!

Official NPS source

Glenmont Heat Advisory

The house at Glenmont is currently experiencing high heat conditions. As a result, house tours may be abbreviated or canceled due to safety concerns.

Official NPS source

Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions

Due to extremely hazardous conditions Gateway National Recreation Area has restricted access to sections of Jacob Riis Park. Erosion has created unsafe conditions from Bays 1-5, and portions of the eastern beach are closed.

Official NPS source
Official conditions for each destination

Latest NPS News

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Reminder to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

A park ranger patrol vehicle with its lights on pulled on the grass next to a road.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Starting Friday, September 4 and continuing throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend, the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will implement a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driver checkpoint and high-visibility enforcement campaign.

Official NPS source

Opening Reception for Sandy Hook’s Artist in Residence Heather Heckel

Painting of Lighthouse and reflection with birds
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Middletown, N.J. –The public is invited to the opening reception of Heather Heckel’s exhibit: Ten Summers and 250 Years: Advocating for Our Public Lands through 30 Artists Residences, on June 14 at 1 p.m. at the Fort Hancock Museum, Building 28. This exhibit consists of 250 pieces that will connect the viewer to National Park Service places and stories. Heather Heckel, PhD, has completed over 30 artist residencies in national parks and Bureau of Land Management sites.

Official NPS source

THE ALL-AMERICAN ROAD TRIP” A NATIONAL CALL TO EXPLORE AMERICA’S ORIGINAL JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE-NEW JERSEY

Four living historians dressed in 18th-century military uniforms—portraying French and American officers from the Revolutionary War era—stand together outdoors during a public event, smiling and posing for visitors.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The Washington-Rochambeau Trail introduces the All-American Road Trip; an America 250 initiative encouraging travelers to experience New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites and follow the historic 1781 Franco-American march to Yorktown. The campaign launches alongside new national interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution.

Official NPS source

“THE ALL-AMERICAN ROAD TRIP” A NATIONAL CALL TO EXPLORE AMERICA’S ORIGINAL JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE

Actors dressed as Lafayette and Rochambeau
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service’s Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route NHT launches the All-American Road Trip, a major America 250 initiative inviting visitors to explore the historic 1781 march of American and French forces to Yorktown. Coinciding with renewed interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, the campaign highlights living history events, educational programs, partnerships, and travel opportunities across the 680-mile trail, beginning in Newport and connecting communities from Rhode Island to Virginia.

Official NPS source

Body of Pennsylvania Kayaker Recovered on Delaware River

On Wednesday afternoon, National Park Service rangers from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and rescue teams from Bushkill Fire, Warren County EMS and New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau responded to a call involving a capsized kayaker, where they recovered the body of a 54-year-old Blakeslee, PA man.

Official NPS source

Gateway National Recreation Area Selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight

Middletown, N.J. – The Leave No Trace organization has selected Sandy Hook as a 2025 Spotlight site. As outdoor areas, including Sandy Hook, continue to experience the impacts of record visitation, this new initiative from Leave No Trace shines a light on communities rising to meet this challenge with multi-day, onsite education and restoration initiatives. From June 19-21, 2025, Leave No Trace will be in Middletown, NJ with Gateway National Recreation Area to work with the community and local land agencies to deliver Leave No Trace education as well as partner on restoration and stewardship projects.

Official NPS source

Trail Enthusiast Marks Milestone Visiting 30 National Trails, including Washington-Rochambeau

A bald man smiles in a selfie by a trail sign
National Park Service · Original image and credit

National trails enthusiast and lifelong explorer Frank Kos has accomplished a remarkable feat: visiting 30 out of 32 of our nation's national scenic and historic trails, each documented with a photo beside the trail’s official signage. What makes his journey extraordinary is his long-standing commitment not only to exploring segments of each trail, but also to creating a personal archive of memories through photographs and stories shared in a hand-crafted scrapbook chronicling decades of travel across America.

Official NPS source

Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions 2025

Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to close sections of Jacob Riis Park Beach due to hazardous conditions. Significant beach erosion occurred along the eastern shoreline of Jacob Riis Park Beach. The erosion exposed deteriorated wooden groins, rockwork, and other structures. Access restrictions established in 2024 will continue at Bays 1 and 4 due to these unsafe conditions from beach erosion. Bays 1 and 4 will remain closed to access and swimming.

Official NPS source

Upcoming NPS Events

NEXT 90 DAYS

Sandy Hook History House

Built in 1898 and designated a lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row, History House is furnished to the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history. Enjoy this unique experience at your own pace with a self-guided tour.

Official NPS source

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours

Tours are first come first served. Visitors are guided up 95 steps and a 9-rung ladder to the lantern room. Children must be 48 inches or taller to climb. Each tour is approximately 30 minutes long. Tour signups start at 12:30 in the Sandy Hook Visitor Center.

Official NPS source

Fort Tompkins Tour

Join us for a tour around Fort Tompkins as we explore the fort and surrounding areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Call 718-354-4500 to make a reservation.

Official NPS source

Fort Hancock Museum

From the Revolutionary War to the Cold War, Sandy Hook boasts a rich military history. Stop in and learn about Sandy Hook’s history from cannons to missiles.

Official NPS source

Birding for Beginners

Interested in birds, but feel intimidated about getting into birding? No problem, this is birding for beginners! Together we will take a nature walk, talk about what makes Jamaica Bay such a great place for birds, and give you the tools to learn the basics of bird identification and appreciation. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended, binoculars available.

Official NPS source

Reel Fun on Jamaica Bay! Junior Angler Fishing Clinic

Families are invited to join National Park Service Rangers and our friends from the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy for an afternoon of fishing! Whether you are an aspiring Jr. Angler or have dropped a line before, this hands-on program is the perfect way to experience the fun of fishing together. Discover local marine life, learn how to become an ethical angler, and practice dropping a cast. All fishing gear provided.

Official NPS source

Bilingual Birding Walk / Caminata Bilingüe de Exploración de Aves

Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a bilingual bird walk! We will take a nature walk, talk about what makes Jamaica Bay such a great place for birds, and we will give you the tools to learn the basics of bird identification and appreciation. This walk will be lead in both English and in Spanish. Spanish speakers are especially welcomed to join us for this walk. ¡ Únete a celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con una caminata bilingüe de exploración de aves! Caminaremos sobre un sendero , hablaremos acerca de que hace que la Bahia de Jamaica sea un lugar ideal para las aves, y te ofreceremos las herramientas para apreciar y aprender sobre estos animales . Este programa se ofrecerá en español e inglés . Hispanohablantes están especialmente bienvenidos a participar en este programa .

Official NPS source

Fort and Dunes Hike

From military forts to beach dunes, Fort Tilden is known for its many defense systems. Join a park ranger on a guided nature walk on trails nestled between dunes and maritime forests and learn about how this site has defended us in the past and how it continues to do so today. This program includes walking for approximately 2 miles on uneven terrain, including hills, rocks, sand, and wooden stairs. Meet outside the chapel at Fort Tilden.

Official NPS source

Junior Ranger Birding Buddies

Join us on our Junior Ranger Birding Buddies' program, made for our Junior Rangers who are new to birding. We will learn the skills and tools used to have a fun outdoor adventure !

Official NPS source
Official destination calendars

National Parks & Federal Sites

11 DESTINATIONS

National Scenic Trail

Appalachian

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

Connecticut · Georgia · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · Tennessee · Vermont · Virginia · West Virginia

National Historic Trail

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route

This 680-mile-long trail follows the paths taken by George Washington's Continental Army and Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau's Expédition Particulière during their 1781 march from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia. France's support in America's struggle for independence was vital to victory at Yorktown. The trail commemorates that victory and the lasting Franco-American friendship.

Connecticut · Delaware · Maryland · Massachusetts · New Jersey · New York · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · Virginia

National Recreation Area

Delaware Water Gap

Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history, and striking scenery along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The park offers year-round recreation including hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting.

New Jersey · Pennsylvania

Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument

Ellis Island

Millions of Americans and people around the world have ancestors who came through Ellis Island. The Main Immigration Building was the epicenter of one of the greatest migrations in modern history. Today, Ellis Island is a memorial to all who pursued the American dream and have made this nation their adopted home.

New Jersey · New York

National Recreation Area

Gateway

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for millions of visitors every year. Gateway offers green spaces and beaches alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. Every day, Gateway is open for you to explore, envision, and enjoy!

New Jersey · New York

Great Egg Harbor River

Both the harbor and river were named for the shorebird and waterfowl eggs covering their meadows. During the American Revolution, privateers hid here. Established as a National Park Service site in 1992, Great Egg Harbor National Wild and Scenic River is one of nation's best birding spots. Local jurisdictions administer its lands. The 129-mile river system flows through Pinelands National Reserve.

New Jersey

National Wild and Scenic River

Lower Delaware

The Delaware River, the largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, runs past forests, farmlands and villages. It also links some of the most densely populated regions in America. In 2000, the National Wild and Scenic River System incorporated key segments of the lower Delaware River to form this unit of the National Park System.

New Jersey · Pennsylvania

National Historical Park

Morristown

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winter on record. The park also maintains a museum and library collection related to the encampments and to George Washington, as well as items from both pre- and post-Revolutionary America.

New Jersey

National Reserve

New Jersey Pinelands

This is truly a special place. It's classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and in 1978 was established by Congress as the country’s first National Reserve. It includes portions of seven southern New Jersey counties, and encompasses over one-million acres of farms, forests and wetlands. It contains 56 communities, from hamlets to suburbs, with over 700,000 permanent residents.

New Jersey

National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls

Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 1792, Paterson was established as America's first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills rose industries that changed the face of the nation.

New Jersey

National Historical Park

Thomas Edison

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs. Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

New Jersey

Destination directory sourced from NPS state listings, October 3, 2026. Official NPS directory

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