Rancocas State Park

Rancocas State Park

Hainesport, NJ

Rancocas State Park was a park we visited in the fall. I happen to spot signs for it one day when driving to another park and googled it to see if it would be somewhere we'd wanna go. There wasn't a whole lot I found when I first googled it but it didn't sound like a bust. 

When Max and I along with a friend of mine made the drive out there, it took us a bit to find the entrance. The entrance was located at the end of dead-end street in a neighborhood. It hardly looked like the entrance of a park. The road was awful. Barely big enough for one car so if another car came in the opposite directions, it was a tight squeeze. Not to mention the potholes! I had to drive super slow so I could navigate around the massive holes and it was almost impossible to move around them!

Eventually, we made it to the parking lot. One of the exciting things about going to a new park is the unexpected. We followed the path up a hill and come upon a dilapidated garage or shed-like structure. The roof had caved so it wasn't a safe idea to go in to explore. Someone had spray-painted the side with an American Flag and a quote. Due to remnants of a post by the water, it almost seems like a boat could have been tied up there. 

A few feet beyond the structure was this rather impressive concrete house up on a hill. Most of the home was intact due to the materials used. Graffiti took place of furniture. Broken glasses and trash littered the corners. But, man, I wish I could have seen this house in it's heyday! Large windows offered stunning views of the lake and open wooden area. Based on the layout, it appeared that there was a covered foyer that leads to where a front door would have been. Stepping inside brought us into a pretty big living room with an amazing stone fireplace. Heading through the next doorway leads to a possible bedroom to the left, stairs leading downstairs and a kitchen to the right. The kitchen led to a massive concrete patio which took up the majority of the back of the house.

Giant concrete steps took us down to the lower level. It could have possibly been a courtyard. There was what appeared to be a utility closet that was located almost under the top steps. I guess there was an outdoor patio but it also looks like the two small outer rooms could have been enclosed. Inside was another massive room with a possible workshop to the left and a second room to the right. Since it was on the lower level, there wasn't as much light to fully see everything so we had to rely on flashlights. 

After we explored as much as we could, we continued to walk through the woods. Pretty sure we ended up going in circles a few times. But, overall, it was still pretty nice.

Our Stats

Pros: Abandoned house, moderate hike

Cons: No public restroom, the drive to the park may be full of potholes

Max's Recommendation: "The long steps."

My Recommendation: "Be cautious when driving to the parking lot! The road may be a bit rough."

Overall Rating 7/10

Tyler State: Covered Bridge

Tyler State Park - Covered Bridge

Newtown, PA

One of our favorite parks to visit is Tyler State Park simply because of the various and diverse locations it has to offer. This post will be about the Covered Bridge side, which is located a short drive from the main entrance of the park. In fact, when driving, keep an eye out for the sign because it easy to miss! Also, the road leading to the parking lot is uneven and can have large dips. 

It is important to note that the Covered Bridge side of Tyler State is also the location for horseback riders to come. So be on the lookout for any horses and their riders in the parking lot and in the park as well. 

The boys are always so eager to run over to the path and down the log steps. I must tell them to go slow every time because the steps are steep. Whenever we come here, we pretty much always follow the same routine. So that means the boys spend a lot of time throwing rocks or sticks into the stream that runs under the pathway that leads to the Covered Bridge, wading through the water to look for frogs and looking for deer or bugs. 

Once everyone has had their fill, we make our way along the path to the Covered Bridge. There is a large puddle perfect for jumping in that awaits at the foot of the bridge after a good rainfall. Max has spent lots of time splashing around in that puddle. The boys love to race up the dirt path to the large wooden bridge. No matter the season or the weather, this is a gorgeous spot to take pictures. We always spend time peering through the diamond-shaped windows to spy on the river below and the boys love to peek around the sides of the bridge to spot ducks. 

Exiting the bridge leads to several paths. Veering to the right so far has been pretty risky. This side has been the one that is muddier and harder to navigate. The path gets close to the river and one wrong step could have you sliding towards the rushing waters. Downed trees, while are fun to climb, can often hinder a safe path. We have never gotten very far on this path. 

The path to the left of the bridge is more enjoyable and easier to navigate. If there has been recent rain, the pathway can get pretty muddy. We have hiked this path before after some rainy days and our shoes stick in the mud. Most of the path is a good distance from the river so the kids can still view the river as we walk. There are a few spots to be careful of. It is a decent hike through the woods that slowly leads upward. We pop out on a walking path. The boys often find sticks to swing around, butterflies to chase or to race along the path. 

Towards the end of this path, there is a house located to the left. It is private property and there are cameras. So, while it is interesting to look at, please be respectful and don't go on their property. The path leads back to the Covered Bridge and has great puddles after rain as well. 

Taking that long hike is one of the kids favorites. It is not a quick hike and it tires the boys out nicely. The incline, the walking path, the open fields all provide lots of opportunities to get energy out. 

Our Stats

Pros: A giant covered bridge, moderate hiking trails

Cons: No public restrooms

Sam's Recommendation: "The view from the diamond-shaped windows is a must."

Max's Recommendation: "Look out for frogs!"

Overall Rating 8/10