Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in New Jersey, United States

Despite New Jersey or “the Garden State” being a relatively small state along the Atlantic Coast, this region is not lacking in diverse terrain for motorcyclists to admire. Covering most of the landscape in this state is the Atlantic Coastal Plain. But you can also travel towards the Piedmont, the New England Upland, and the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region. There will also be plenty of cities and towns along the routes you travel on where you can take rest breaks, fill up on gas, or gather new supplies.

So that you are not wandering lost on the freeways and stumbling onto interesting locations by accident, this article will help inform you about the more remarkable New Jersey motorcycle roads and destinations. 

Distance: 52 miles
Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Start: Tabernacle
End: Tabernacle

Heading east away from Tabernacle via Chatsworth Road, you will travel alongside the northern side of Wharton State Forest. You have the chance to enter Franklin Parker Preserve - Chatsworth Lake Entrance to admire the lakefront.

Traveling south on the eastern side of Wharton State Forest, you will head down atop County Road 563. Eventually entering the forest, you can take a slight detour to visit Friendship Historic Ruins or Hawkins Bridge which is closer to the heart of the wilderness. Further along, you will cross over Evans Bridge and come beside the Historic Harrisville Ghost Town Ruins.

Moving along the southern side of the loop, you will be traveling parallel to Mullica River for the first half of this section. You will pass by Greenhead Bulkhead and Crowley Landing. Just before you exit Wharton State Forest, you will come across Batsto Village.

Making your return trip along the western side of the loop, you will head northward on U.S. Route 206. This way has plenty of restaurants along the sides of the road including Pic-A-Lilli Inn, Christine’s House of Kingfish Barbecue, and One More Grill & Bar. 

Distance: 28 miles
Time: 56 minutes
Start: Brunswick Gardens
End: Atlantic Highlands

Departing from Brunswick Gardens, you will travel along New Jersey Route 18 until you transition onto Newman Springs Road upon getting close to Robertsville. Heading eastward, you will pass by Big Brook Park and St. Gabriel’s Cemetery & Chapel Mausoleums.

Moving onto Holmdel Middletown Road, you will come close to Holmdel Park. Heading northeast, you will transition onto Red Hill Road which takes you beside Tatum Park and Deep Cut Gardens. Turning straight south, you will travel on Middletown-Lincroft Road which will take you towards Poricy Park Fossil Beds.

Finishing the last leg of the trip, you will be within the vicinity of Bodman Park and Huber Woods Park before you finally arrive in Atlantic Highlands. When exploring the city, you can check out Henry Hudson Springs, Strauss Mansion Museum, and the Atlantic Highlands Viaduct. 

Distance: 29 miles
Time: 43 minutes
Start: Hewitt
End: Mountain View Crossing

Starting at the New York-New Jersey border, you will wind around Greenwood Lake as you begin to head southward. Winding around the Greenwood Lake Turnpike, you will catch sight of Green Turtle Lake, Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Wanaque River, and Beech Brook.

Curving around the Wanaque Reservoir, you will pass outside Sterling Forest/Tranquility and Ringwood State Park. Resuming towards the south, you will ride via Skyline Drive which will take you by Fieldstone and the Painted Forest.

After you finish winding around Interstate 287, you will pass in between and besides many natural sites as you continue the journey south. You should be able to make out Follari Tract, Mountainside Park, Meyer’s Brook, Pequannock Valley Park, Two Sisters Wetland Preserve Property, Pompton River Park, Pequannock River Park, and North Cove Park. 

Distance: 31 miles
Time: 49 minutes
Start: Oakland
End: Oakland

Embarking from the outskirts of Oakland, you will travel via Interstate 287 while you progress towards the southern bend of the loop. Heading west until you are on Macopin Road, you will be within the vicinity of Henion Pond, High Crest Lake, Apshawa Preserve, and Skyline Preserve.

After passing Macopin, you will pass by the outer edges of Norvin Green State Forest, Bubbling Springs Park, Reflection Lake, and Pinecliff Lake before arriving in West Milford. Traveling along the northern side of the loop, you will get close to Green Turtle Lake, Long Pond Ironworks State Park, and the Wanaque River.

The rest of this route will take you straight south while traveling on Greenwood Lake Turnpike and Skyline Drive. You should be able to see the remnants of Van Slyke Castle or go hiking up Ramapo Lake Trailhead. 

Distance: 61 miles
Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Start: Phillipsburg
End: High Point

If you stick around Philipsburg, you will have the chance to ride steam trains close to the coast of the Delaware River. You can also hang around Walter’s Park or Delaware River Park. Embarking from Philipsburg via Belvidere Road, you will begin making progress towards the northeast.

Further along, when you transition onto County Road 519, you will pass by Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area, Swayze Mill Park, and Jenny Jump State Forest. Places of interest include the Land of Make Believe and the Faery Cave.

Turning onto New Jersey Route 94, you can enjoy the natural scenery at Adiguzelli Tract, Lodestar Park, and Fredon Recreation League. When you are in Newton, you can check out the performances at the Newton Theatre.

Continuing northward, you will pass through Frankford Township Park before you start to coast around the edges of Stokes State Forest. If you are willing to take slight detours into the wilderness, you will get to see Sunrise Mountain Overlook and Lusscroft Farm.

As you approach High Point State Park, you will be able to hike up the Appalachian Trail or Parker Trail. When you eventually get up to High Point, you will have a pristine view of the surrounding landscape. 

Distance: 20 miles
Time: 36 minutes
Start: Oldwick
End: Hampton

Heading north after leaving Oldwick, you will almost immediately pass through Cold Brook Reserve while following Old Turnpike Road. Turning westward in the direction of Fairmount Road West, you will encounter Christie Hoffman Farm Park.

When you make it to Califon, you can spend time at Califon Island Park or check out the Califon Train Station a.k.a. the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Continuing onto Silver Road, you will be within the vicinity of Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve.

As you clear the northern bend of this route, you will coast along the edge of Point Mountain Reservation. You will be able to reach Hampton via County Road 545 which travels parallel to the Muscentong River. 

Distance: 31 miles
Time: 49 minutes
Start: Chester
End: Frenchtown

Surrounding the town of Chester, there are many natural sites of varying distance and size including Black River Wildlife Management Area, Highlands Ridge Park, Tiger Brook Park, MacGregor Preserve, Chubb Park, and Black River Park. Heading west on Route 24, you will come across places to eat such as Cornerstone Pizzeria and Vale Pizza.

Turning southwest, you will head down on West Mill Road which can take you by Lionheart Stables and Willow Grove Farm if you are interested in trying horseback riding. Further along, you will travel on High Bridge Califon Road which will take you between Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area and Voorhees State Park. Going straight south on New Jersey Route 31, you will travel alongside Spruce Run Reservoir.

The last leg of the route after you leave Clifton, you will pass by Landsdown Meadows, Franklin Open Space Plan, and Capoolong Wildlife Management Area if you wish to admire natural scenery. 

Distance: 20 miles
Time: 43 minutes
Start: Rumson
End: Rumson

Heading northwest, you will cross over Navesink River via the Oceanic Bridge after leaving Rumson behind. Looping around on Navesink Avenue, you will be able to make out Claypit Creek, Buttermilk Valley, and Huddy Park. After passing Highlands, you should catch sight of the Twin Lights State Historic Site.

You will then travel onto the narrow island, traveling north towards Sandy Hook while observing the Atlantic Ocean off in the distance towards your right. You will pass by South Beach, New Jersey Beach, and Sandy Hook Beach as you are making your way up.

As the island’s landscape opens up, you will loop back around on Hartshorne Drive and Atlantic Drive to begin your return trip. You will be able to visit 1st Lt Hamilton Douglas Hallyburton Memorial, Missile Monument, and Mortar Battery as you proceed.

You will head back the same way you came due to only being able to follow a strict, linear route. However, upon returning to the mainland, there are additional beaches to see before making it to Rumson such as Highlands Beach, Navesink Beach, and Anchorage Beach. 

Distance: 81 miles
Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Start: Deepwater
End: Cape May

Departing from Deepwater, you will head southward on Hook Road which will take you by the Salem River Wildlife Management Area. Continuing to head down, you will transition onto New Jersey Route 49 which will get you within seeing distance of Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and cross over Salem River.

After passing Salem, you will travel on Salem Hancock Bridge Road as you head in the direction of Lower Alloways Creek. A few historical sites to visit include Hancock House Historic Site and Lower Alloways Creek Friends Meeting House. Further along, when you arrive at the southern bend along Bacons Neck Road, you can view the exhibits at the John Dubois Maritime Museum.

Heading along the straight road that is West Buckshutem Road, you will pass by Edward G. Bevan Fish and Wildlife Management Area. Transitioning onto New Jersey Route 347, you will travel through and beside Belleplain State Forest and Dennis Creek Wildlife Management Area.

New Jersey is a state where it is essential and mandatory for you to be wearing either a half, three-quarter, or a full-face helmet at all times. 

If another person is riding with you on your motorcycle, s/he must also sport either a half, three-quarter, or a full-face helmet. Since there is no law forbidding a certain age group, you get the final say regarding who is allowed to travel with you.

In New Jersey, your motorcycle doesn't need to be subject to periodic inspections supervised by government establishments. But it would be unwise not to check on the integrity of your motorcycle’s essential functions before every trip or at least once a month.

Neglecting your motorcycle and forgetting to provide maintenance could be disastrous in the long run. Whether you are parked or on the road, a single broken part could be enough to disrupt your plans. Make sure to go over this checklist of essential functions your motorcycle needs:

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front & Rear Brakes
• Controls
• Headlight
• Rear light
• Brake Light
• Turn Signals
• Exhaust System
• Muffler
• Rearview Mirrors

Because there are no laws forbidding nor protecting your right to attempt lane splitting, you will have to decide if it is worth risking your motorcycle and health.

If you want to keep a guide on New Jersey’s motorcycle laws, you can look at the information at this link . 

Since you never know what you may find in New Jersey, taking the time to research and get familiar with the popular areas could help you condense the list of locations you will visit. By the time you arrive at your intended destinations, you will at least know what to expect and look for, but it will not diminish the excitement of a first-time experience. You will still get to feel the enjoyment of seeing an attraction, navigating a route, etc. for the first time with your motorcycle.