• Exploration
  • Pinelands Adventures

Pinelands Adventures

Our Pinelands Adventures program is designed to introduce you to the pleasures of the New Jersey Pinelands with our superb guide and naturalist Russell Juelg or with one of our expert guest leaders.

Fall 2009 Pinelands Adventures Schedule

Jersey Devil Hunt - Oct. 16; Nov. 13; Dec. 4

Canoeing Piney Rivers - Oct. 18

Navigating the Pinelands - Oct. 31

Basic Wilderness Survival - Nov. 22

Big Swamp Cougar Hunt - Dec. 5

Canoe and Kayak Adventures

[+ ZOOM] Kayaker's explore a Pine Barrens river. © Brian Schwenk

Join us for a naturalist-lead tour of one of the beautiful and historic Pinelands rivers. Foliage and wildlife make this an exhilarating and memorable experience. For newcomers, a great introduction to the history and ecology of the Pine Barrens. These are leisurely trips, but may be moderately challenging for some. It's best to have some canoe or kayak experience. You can rent a canoe or kayak or bring your own. The livery will charge for a carry. Register for an upcoming trip.

Jersey Devil Hunt

We start with an old-fashioned campfire (bring your hot dogs & marshmallows). We calm our nerves with some good, old-time music. Then, with a little ghostly light from the moon, we search the woods, cautiously, for that most infamous denizen of the Pine Barrens. All hunts begin at 7 p.m. at a remote location in Wharton State Forest. Register now for the Jersey Devil Hunt.

Natural History Programs

Be prepared for some rugged trekking, as we’ll be going into places few others go on our Big Swamp Cougar Hunt or the Springtime Fairy Shimp Mystery Tour. Trek deep into the thickets and swamps of the Pine Barrens or probe the edges of coastal plain ponds. You'll see remote parts of the Pine Barrens that few have experienced. Check for upcoming programs or call for updated schedule.

Wilderness Skills Programs

Acquire the practical skills needed in a survival situation by participating in one of PPA's Wilderness Survival programs. The hands-on nature of the course makes it both fun and memorable. By the end of the day, you’ll be able to acquire shelter, water, fire, and food. You’ll also have a grasp on land navigation with a compass and USGS topo map.

In our Navigating the Pinelands program, practice orienteering and dead reckoning through some distinctive Pine Barrens habitats: upland pine/oak forests, lowlands, mysterious bogs, and magnificent old cedar swamps. After completing this course, you'll be capable of navigating cross-country anywhere in the Pine Barrens. Check for upcoming programs or call for updated schedule.

For up to the minute information on all Pinelands Adventure programs, call Tom Dunn at (609) 859-8860 x14.

We also offer a number of public presentations:

PPA Pinelands Presentations Overview - 103.4KB A menu of public presentations offered by PPA.