Exploring Cattus Island Park in Toms River

Cattus Island Park (Toms River)

Last week, I took a drive out to Cattus Island Park in Toms River. Initially, I wanted to enjoy the shore while still doing something active.  While laying on the beach is fun for some, it isn’t all that fun to me. I get bored after a few minutes. Ocean County Parks have all been beautiful with great views. One of the parks I’ve wanted to get too is Cattus Island in Toms River, so it worked out.  There are miles of trails including the red trail, orange trail, blue trail, all through the pine barrens.

Cattus Island State Park is an easy trail suitable for a leisurely walk, small kids, or pets.  You hike through the Pinelands, on a boardwalk, and along the beach.  There is even a massive Osprey nest! The hike itself at Cattus Island Park is one of the easiest I’ve done, with a mix of sand, boardwalk, dirt, and pine needles.  If you combine all of the trails at Cattus Island Park, it ends up being about 6.9 miles.

One thing I appreciated about Cattus Island County Park was the map available at the front and parking lot.  Obviously, everything is available online beforehand, but it’s nice to have a paper copy out.

I did hike most of the trails at Cattus Island Park, but it got to be a bit windy along the shore, and I was getting cold.  Plus, I also wanted to beat the traffic on route 70.

Starting along the sections of the boardwalk at Cattus Island Park. 

You can see the Salt Marsh, Silver Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Scout Island.

You can see the Osprey nest in the background at Cattus Island Park:

Marsh and Wetlands at Cattus Island Park:

Then all of a sudden the trail at Cattus Island Park went through the pines.

And along a small creek at Cattus Island Park:

Then all of a sudden I was along the shore at Cattus Island Park:

This is when things got windy.  It got cold quickly at Cattus Island Park.  It’s hard to believe because the rest of the week has been so warm!

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In all, I had an excellent time hiking, and I’m glad I went to Cattus Island Park.  Cattus Island Park is a beautiful, leisurely park and I highly suggest it.

Spring 2018 Hikes I’ve Done:

Cattus Island Park (Toms River)
Turkey Swamp Park (Freehold)

You can see all hikes here.

This Spring and Summer, I want to get to as many NJ parks as possible.  Now that the weather is nice, it’s been great to be outdoors!

Questions for you:
What was the last park you’ve been too?
Do you have any plans this spring and summer?