Covered in trees with open meadows and more than eight miles of hiking trails, Huber Woods Park is an active family’s dream.

Some have called this park, with its 380 acres of permanently preserved greenspace, a “hidden gem.” Overflowing with open meadows, trails for hiking, walking, and horseback riding, and an environmental center, Huber Woods Park is a great place to spend a day exploring with the fam, no matter the ages. Though eight miles might not sound like much, there are numerous trails spreading throughout the park and they run the gamut from easy to moderate to challenging, which makes this park perfect for hikers of all levels of experience and comfort. You’ll find short and long loops; some trails hit ya with steep inclines, while others offer subtle grade changes. Some trails are even stroller-friendly for even the youngest would-be-hiker!

Equestrians also love and frequent Huber Woods. Aside from the trails, there’s also a sandy area to workhorses if needed and trailer parking is available too.

The park is lush with flora and fauna basically all year round and some spots overlook the Navesink River offering lovely little vistas worthy of disrupting your walk to take in and enjoy the view. 
 
An Environmental Center also sits on the property. This is where you’ll find clean bathrooms. But there’s a whole lot more within, including the Huber Woods Park Reptile House. Caring for everything from snakes to frogs and turtles, the center allows visitors to come and learn about the area’s native reptiles and amphibians. Last we checked, none of the snakes are poisonous either, just your regular corn and king snakes.  

In addition to the Reptile House, the Center also features hands-on exhibits and displays that are really great additions to teaching kids about the land, indigenous people, and the environment. Young kids will also enjoy the Discovery Path, which runs around the Center. Here, they’ll find painted rocks to identify various plants, a Pollinator Garden, berry patch, frog pond, a boardwalk, and more. (The Environmental Center is open weekdays 10 am-4 pm; weekends 10 am-5 pm; winter hours are 10 am-4 pm daily.)

The park is also friendly to leashed dogs and picnickers are common. Pro-tip Valentino's Restaurant is just 10 minutes away, but if pizza isn't your preferred picnic food (we don't judge), Greens and Grains is just 15 minutes from the park as well and their plant-based menu is perfect for eating outdoors!

*Photo courtesy of Monmouth County*