Amico Island State Park

Philly skyline views, continuously maintained walking trails, beaches, and benches. This place is, as others have called it, a hidden gem. The northwest side bordering the Delaware River has a New England-​beach type of feel, and the small inlets remind me of a lakefront, while the pond in the middle has a quiet, serene feel about it. I’ve seen plenty of wildlife there, yet it is open enough (and large enough) to bring your dog without feeling overly crowded.

This park is attractive but very tiny. You can loop the whole island in under a half hour. Perhaps this is a good trait to some, but if you’re looking for a long hike you won’t find it here. You can go stand on the banks and see Pleasant Hill Park in Philly across the river. Since I live very close to that area it was odd seeing it from the Jersey side for the first time.
There’s a ton of wildlife on this island, including lots of white-​tailed deer who seem very unafraid of humans. I wonder if this island is a haven for them? There’s no hunting, no predation, and tons of food for them. They’re really quite cute and will let you get close to them, so just keep your eyes out for passing deer.
If you like to fish, or maybe you want to have a picnic, or throw a frisbee for your dog then this park is for you. If you’re looking for a hike, or a playground for your kids to play on, maybe keep looking.

This is my favorite local park. It has beautiful views of the Rancocas Creek and Delaware River, and the hiking and biking trails are well-​maintained. There is a lake for fishing as well as a few picnic areas. Dogs are welcome (as long as they come with a leash and poop bags).
This park contains meadow, forest, and beach/​marsh habitats. I have seen scores of different trees and animals here– from waterfowl to deer to woodpeckers.
There is something quiet and peaceful about this park that isn’t felt at the other local parks (Pennington, Boundary Creek).
This park is a hidden gem.

A hidden gem along the Rancocas and Delaware Rivers. Several walking paths offer beautiful views and abundant opportunities for bird watching or other nature observations. Great park for hiking or picnics. One word of caution… watch where you tread. Lots of tree roots and rocks line some of the walking paths. Easy enough to be tripped up if you’re not careful.