Two Hours or Less: Our Favorite State Park Trips

car audio New Jersey

You don’t have to go far to have a great getaway!

Red Rocks State Park…Adirondack State Park…Baxter State Park – each are well known for travelers from near and far, and of course for their beauty. But, why travel far when you can explore a local New Jersey state park (two hours or less car drive away from your home)!

Learn why a state park trip is the way to go, three amazing parks in New Jersey that you can’t miss, and how to make your car trip to these locations even better by getting your car prepped and ready to go. No one wants to sit in a car that’s uncomfortable and unclean, even if just for a few hours. Did anyone say automotive detailing and window tinting?

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Out On Your Local State Parks

Learn about local wildlife: Have you ever wondered about the wildlife local to New Jersey? The best place to learn about wildlife is in their local habitat. Take a stroll around the park, and keep an eye out for creatures big and small. If the park has a visitor center, stop by and ask questions. State Rangers or volunteers may be able to tell you the best hiking trails to go on to see certain animals or times of days some animals are out and about.

Hiking for yourself or the whole family: Hiking, especially in a state park, is a fun activity to do by yourself or with the family. Not only can you get your blood pumping but you’ll most likely get the best views of a State Park by hiking up to the top of a mountain or hill. Also, many state parks have kid-friendly trails that are shorter and not as difficult for little ones.

Local history: State parks not only give you a wealth of nature information, but they can sometimes provide you with some local history. For instance, Allaire State Park in Monmouth county has a historical railroad on the property that you can learn about and even take a ride on!

Best State Parks to Visit in New Jersey

Cheesequake State Park (Middlesex County) – This park has a mix of open fields, freshwater and saltwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, pine barrens and a hardwood forest. Visit the Nature Center for information on the hiking and biking trails, enjoy some family meal time in the various picnic areas with tables and grills, boat, fish, camp and more!

High Point State Park (Sussex County) – This park has the highest point in New Jersey (hence the name) at 1,803 feet above sea level, which you can see three states from! This park has lakes and streams stocked with trout and small-mouth bass, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails.

Allaire State Park (Monmouth County) – This park “down by the shore” is for water lovers and for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. At Allaire State Park you can pass by more than 200 species during your exploration. There is also the Pine Creek Railroad, a live-steam and diesel, narrow gauge railway, which is one of the oldest operating in the country.

Ready, Set…Get the Car Ready…GO!

Now that you have no excuse not to plan your next trip to a New Jersey State Park, you need to make sure your means of transport are all set to go. Before you hop in your car and start your travels, make sure you have everything you need to have a safe, comfortable trip:

Squeaky clean – Make your car look sparkling new, inside and out, with auto detailing. And while you’re at it, add a little auto paint protection film to your car!

Keep out the sun – No one likes getting into a hot car. Take your car in for window tints and block those pesky UV rays and keep your car a little cooler for your trip.

Drive safe – Do you have all the driver safety products you need? Keep your car stocked with an emergency roadside kit, vehicle escape tool, ice scrapers, flashlight, first aid kit and more. Some other great additions for safety and convenience are installing a remote start for your car, dash cameras and blind spot systems. It can’t hurt to have some extra help making you a safer driver.

Music to your ears – No road trip to great without some great tunes, on a top of the line car audio system. Make sure you have an audio system that can play the whole family’s favorite music to make a short ride to any state park feel like a breeze. Install SiriusXM satellite radio or even Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so you can play your best beats directly from your phone.

Auto Image has been serving the Brick, East Brunswick, and surrounding areas since 1987, helping car enthusiasts achieve their vehicle goals. Contact them today to make sure your car is ready for your next state park trip. Mark automotive detailing, window tint, remote start and a new car stereo or audio installation off your list before you head out. To request an estimate or appointment for your upgrades contact 732-254-2727 or visit us online!