Discover the 2 Most Remote Spots in New Jersey And How to Safely Get There

New Jersey typically isn’t the first U.S. state to come to mind when thinking of ‘remote’ areas.  But there are still a few hidden areas that house nothing for miles, only trees and ghost towns see! Southern New Jersey is less densely populated than the northern portion of the state, just tiny towns and nature! These two remote spots are equally hide away in nature, away from busy roads and businesses! But being in New Jersey they’re still nothing to compare to somewhere like the Alaskan wilderness! Though there’s no need of a bush pilot, it takes more than a sunday drive to safely reach both locations. There are just a few complications, as one can’t just drive deep into these remote areas! Without further ado, let’s dive into our first remote location!

Apple Pie Hill – Wharton State Forest

In the southern half of the Garden State lies the New Jersey Pine Barrens. This huge stretch of land was deemed unfit for agricultural uses, or even dense settlement. But as time moved on people realized that the sandy and acidic soil supports an entirely different kind of life! 

The pines calling the area home flourish with the lack of civilization, stretching out for over a hundred thousand acres! Within the greater Pine Barrens is the protected Wharton State Forest, the largest in the state at 122,000 acres! Wharton State Forest is somewhat of a miracle. Paradoxically, this untouched and beautiful nature lies within reach of huge cities! Philadelphia and the ever-imposing New York City, all within the larger ‘Boston-Washington corridor’. 

Within the incredible sprawling nature of Wharton State Forest lies an incredibly pristine water source, the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer. This is viewed as some of the most pure water in the entire United States. The forests around the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer were protected by the national government as the first National Reserve. Due to this protection, the anomaly that is a remote spot in New Jersey is able to exist!

To reach the most remote spot in the forest, Apple Pie Hill, set out from Tabernacle, New Jersey. Leaving the center of town on Chatsworth Road, travelers can drive quite close to this incredible wilderness. Eventually one must pull off to the right and park next to a dirt trail titled ‘White Horse’. Visible on google maps, it’s still unclear whether public vehicles are permitted. However, continuing on foot is absolutely allowed, for a nice hike up the trail! Climbing up, visitors will eventually reach the top of Apple Pie Hill! Granting hikers a view of nothing but trees and nature as far as the eye can see!

A cell tower and the existence of the access roads slightly damper the immersion. But the quietness of the hill will surely delight those looking for a getaway! For sportsmen and women who enjoy nature activities, Wharton State Forest is perfect. There’s seasonal hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, boating, swimming, and horseback riding all up for offer. Providing deeply country vibes so close to huge cities is amazing! For Philadelphians and New Yorkers looking for a weekend or day-trip into nature, Wharton State Forest is perfect for you.

Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

According to Project Remote, the most remote spot in New Jersey is one from which you can see the Atlantic City Skyline. So how remote truly is it? Well, you’ll likely still be the only person there. But as Project Remote puts it, “[It’s] a reminder that many conservation lands-even Wilderness Areas-are not necessarily remote anymore.” Nonetheless, the area is considered to be one of the most remote areas in the state as its entirely devoid of roads. 

Protecting the wetlands and migratory bird populations is a priority, shutting the area off for visitors from mid-april to July. This only further increases the state’s ability to preserve the lands and keep the wilderness pristine. To reach the truly most remote areas within these wetlands, one needs a boat. As Project Remote goes on to describe, they use maps of the waterways to try to find a channel their boat can traverse. Running aground at one point, they have to circle back and try again. This is a good reminder for those looking to chase the same remote spot to be well prepared and have a route plotted out in advance! 

Though reaching this remote spot proved to be even still more difficult. As Project Remote is documenting in detail, a call to the authorities reveals a special permit is necessary to explore the land. Undeterred (without breaking any laws or disrespecting nature), they hatch a plan to boat to the waters nearby and wade in the shallows – not actually stepping ashore. While talking to the authorities, they make it clear that the exact location of this remote spot is remaining secret. So while their exact steps can’t be followed, and the conservation of the area must be taken into account, exploring the remoteness of the region is still possible! 

The juxtaposition of this ‘remote spot’ still being in sight of the major city does hugely take away from the remoteness of the area. The members of Project Remote seem to have put it perfectly, “There actually is room in this world for both civilization and wildlands.  The problem is that civilization continues its unchecked expansion across the formerly wild landscape with no societal commitment to ever stop it and say-enough is enough.”

While different people have different preferences towards living among many people or not, most would agree that both civilization and wilderness are important. The idea that in the entire state of New Jersey, untouched wilderness is no longer remaining is a stunning realization to come across. Sure, one wouldn’t expect Alaskan or Midwestern levels of remoteness, but the spread of civilization is truly everywhere in the Garden State.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © gguy44/iStock via Getty Images