Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Although there is a small fee for parking here, there are no signs to let you know this and I’m sure plenty of folks just park and walk. I was somewhat disappointed that the folks in the building never let us know that the long Songbird Trail was not open – one of the main reasons we visited. We did wander down to the marsh area and I was able to get some grand photos of the various birds living there.

This is a stellar national wildlife refuge, with more than 47,000 acres (!!!) of coastal habitats. New Yorkers love to hate on Jersey, but there is a reason why it’s called the Garden State.
We visited in the winter. The visitor’s center lends binoculars (you show a license and leave a phone number), has an adorable gift shop, and a small, interactive display of natural items you might encounter in the area. There is also a huge glass window facing bird feeders where you can check off your first birds.
From there, there are a few short walks (about half a mile, or you could continue for as long as four miles). There was still a lot of snow on the ground, so we opted for the short walks, with a great view of salt marshes from a dock and a short trip through woodlands. There is a spectacular, creepy view of Atlantic City in the distance that feels almost post-​apocalyptic (reminds me of the view from Jamaica Bay in Queens).
Then, we got in the car and drove along the wildlife drive, stopping at the observation deck. Along the way, we had spectacular views of northern pintails and hooded mergansers (PRETEND TO CARE). Absolutely fantastic. I will definitely add it to my seasonal list of birding sites.

This place is awesome! My family and I come here to walk and trail run and enjoy some of the fresh air. The trail running can actually get crazy, we have done a 7 mile loop once on accident. Its a great place in the spring before the bugs come out. In the summer the bugs are so bad we dont visit. The people are friendly, the little exhibit they have is very nice.

Bird nirvana. Want to see shorebirds in the spring? Ducks in the late fall? Birders all the time? This place is a beloved birding destination, and deservedly so. Some foot trails are available, but the highlight for me is the driving loop, 8 miles through ponds and such, where you can stop and look around whenever the fancy strikes you. Seriously, if you are a wildlife fan and haven’t been here, go NOW!

This place was just right for an easy-​going, late summer outing with young kids. Well-​maintained, beautiful, natural, serene, quiet, and we had the place almost completely to ourselves.
Plenty of photo-​ops and lots of neat things for the kids to see. It feels very coastal and very Jersey, but also feels miles away from the material world (though you can see AC in the distance). Nobody hassling you about rules or trying to sell you something.
There are two reasons I knocked off a star:
It was ridiculously buggy. Plenty of mosquitos and an insane amount of aggressive flies! Be prepared.
Inexplicably, the visitors office closed early the day we were there though it was supposed to have been open. It was disappointing to the kids because we had read that they offer free use of binoculars and kids activity packets that suggest things for them to look for on their hikes.

Found this place after searching on Unilocal for parks. Amazing. my husband and I are on vacation in Atlantic City for two weeks and ever since we found this we have come every single day. We are in love with this place. The views are spectacularly, the birds are amazing. Many pairs of nesting ospreys. We managed to watch one dad osprey hunt and feed the chicks. Details. 4 dollars will pay for a vehicle 2 if on foot or with bicycle. It’s an 8 mile drive with plenty of areas to walk. You can also pull over to gaze at the spectacular aquatic birds many different species. Even if you are not a birder, you will enjoy the views
We drive about seven times around the preserve and always see different things, birds of all shapes and sizes, turtles, deers. The Cons. Please do your self a favor and have a can of repellent with you if visiting in summer. Many and I mean many green head files that will follow your car. if you keep ac on on windows closed you will be fine. Oh almost forgot the price is on the honor system so please have exact change or make a donation. They provide envelopes and there’s a drop box.

Fabulous day at the Forsythe. Saw a female snowy owl! Mesmerized by its beauty.

For a relaxing, easy, back to nature experience you can’t beat this eight mile drive through scenic salt marshes that are full of bird and wild life. The views out to AC and the Atlantic ocean are stunning and we’ve also seen some beautiful sunsets here. It costs $ 4 per car and you leave it in an envelope so make sure you have the correct amount of cash.
We almost always see turtles, skimmers, egrets, herons and the grand ospreys are usually in their huge nests, pointedly ignoring us (with a dignity befitting the most indifferent of cats) as we view their magnificent selves. On one memorable day in December we were parked and chatting, just enjoying the view out to AC when a gigantic flock of snow geese came flying directly at us a la a scene from «The Birds» — they didn’t bash into the car or anything but it was pretty cool in a scary kind of way.
It’s great if you have people with limited mobility or are just feeling totally lazy because you can simply drive though the entire place and get all the beautiful views from the car. Or if you are feeling a bit energetic there are a couple of short trails you can stop and hike and there is also a viewing tower to climb to get more of a «bird’s eye view» hehehe. We usually go on a spur of the moment so don’t have our binoculars — they enhance but are not vital to having a lovely visit.
The only negative part of the trip can be the insects — at different times of the year we’ve been accosted by both mosquitoes and/​or greenheads — they seem to practically attack the car, crawling along the windows as you drive along with a «I vant to suck your bluuuud» type of crazed urgency. So if it’s hot out and your car does not have air conditioning, skip this place until cooler weather.

Great place anytime of the year to see and photograph birds and the Atlantic City skyline. Peaceful and quiet.

This is a miraculous spot not far from the Jersey shore. Went with my mother and husband, but wish I had brought my teen boys as well. They would have LOVED IT!
A loop of about 8 miles (one way traffic) that you can take as slowly as you like, to enjoy. The handout I got at the visitor center was super helpful and gave us tips on each of the numbered ‘stops’ along the way. The volunteer who was at the visitor center when we were there (Sunday 26 June) was both enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. She clearly had a deep and abiding love of every bit of flora and fauna in the refuge and was very helpful with not only answers to my questions, but offering up things I would never have thought to ask.
If you leave your license, they loan out birding books and binoculars to make the trip even better. We saw numerous osprey nests and even some feeding babies!
LOTS of little herons, ducklings and other avian youngsters. There was a stretch of 40 or more feet of ‘beach’ on the mud flats completely lined with turtles basking in the sun.
Bring or borrow strong binoculars to view the falcons in the center of the refuge.
The ONLY negative comment is that the biting flies were out en masse and I wish I had thought to coat myself with bug spray, but otherwise, fabulous from start to finish and stil rates a solid FIVE STARS!

$ 4 entrance fee per car, well worth it for a different view of Atlantic city from the swamp. More importantly an 8 mile drive gives you amazing views of the local wildlife: birds, birds, birds and turtles. If you are into bird watching or want a break from the crowded Jersey Shores with its boardwalks and fair atmosphere, this is the perfect place to get into a different way more peaceful world.

Bird watching, hiking trails, 8 mile vehicle loop… serenity in the surrounding AC area… hit Historic Smithville for food & shopping.