Stephens State Park is a great day trip spot with picnicking, hiking, 2 playgrounds, moderate and easy hiking trails, a “magical island”, a “mountaintop castle”, and many opportunities for what my kids like to call, “adventuring!” While you must have a permit to fish, my kids love to watch the fishermen that line the banks and help count their catches.

I recommend parking at the main entrance by the little island (Bonus: there are bathroom facilities located in this parking lot). My girls love to explore the little bridges and crevices that are built into the small island. It is also ripe with bugs, small fish, and other creatures. A small park is located near this island. When the kids tire of the island and park, follow the trail markers and take the trail about 1.5 miles to a larger playground and picnic area (with another bathroom facility–yay!).

If you are feeling adventurous at the larger playground, there is a wooden staircase that leads up to a mountaintop pavilion. My girls call this “the castle” and love racing up the steps that are built right into the mountain. We often enjoy our royal picnic up there or on the tables near the playground. After some playground fun, we hike the 1.5 miles back to the parking lot, stopping along the way for some geocaching and pictures. Many local families use the island for family photo shoots as it is never too early to start thinking about holiday cards!

If afternoon naps are no longer an issue and you would like to extend your trip check out nearby Waterloo Village. Located 3 miles right down the road from Stephens State Park, Waterloo Village allows you to travel back in time, no time machine necessary! Families can explore a 400-year old Lenape Indian village or a once bustling port along the Morris Canal. This early 19th-century restored village contains a working mill complex complete with gristmills and sawmills, a general store, blacksmith shop and 19 other historic buildings. While Waterloo Village does not offer daily programs, it is open for public exploration every day. Parking is permitted outside of the the gates.

To see Waterloo Village in action, mark your calendar for their next Canal Day Event: Waterloo Canal Day - June 30, 2012; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rain date July 1)

For more info about Geocaching, click here.

Don’t forget to download the NJ State Park App!