Upcoming Winter Activities In Monmouth County Parks

RUMSON, NJ — Whether you’re looking to fly down a sledding hill, strap on your cross-country skis, or lace up your ice skates, here are the best spots in Monmouth County in winter 2018:

When snow is on the ground and conditions are safe, the sledding hill in Holmdel Park, Holmdel, opens from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Groomed trails are open to cross-country skiers at Thompson Park, Lincroft, as weather permits. Marked, ungroomed trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold; Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown; Holmdel Park, Holmdel; Huber Woods Park, Middletown; Shark River Park, Wall; Tatum Park, Middletown; and Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold. (Please note that the Park System’s Deer Management Program will be underway until February 17 at several of these sites.) For complete details, please visit our website at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com.

Need equipment? Head over to Thompson Park, Lincroft. Cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment is available for rent at the Thompson Park Ski Hut, located next to the Three Barns Parking Area. Conditions permitting, rentals are available from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through March 11. The cost is $20 to rent ski equipment and $15 for snowshoes. Skis and/or snowshoes are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.

The fun really starts after a week or so of freezing temperatures when Holmdel, Shark River and Turkey Swamp Parks post their “Skating Today” signs. Hours for ice skating are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ice skating isn’t the only fun to be had! Manasquan Reservoir, Thompson Park and Turkey Swamp Park open for ice fishing in designated areas. Always check with park rangers before heading onto the ice.

Please be aware that these activities are offered only when conditions permit. Be sure to visit our website at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com for the latest updates on conditions. To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit our website or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711.

PICTURED – Sledding hill at Holmdel Park, Holmdel; photo provided by Monmouth County Park System.