Are you looking for abandoned railroad lines in New Jersey? There are a ton of abandoned railroads in NJ, with many of its railway lines having once run through the Pine Barrens. Trains transported spoils of New Jersey mines throughout the state and into New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond. As the mining industry dwindled and other forms of transportation gained favor, hundreds of miles of track were left abandoned. Much of this track has been removed as part of the rails-to-trails program, but there’s a wonderful hike in Wharton State Forest at the Atsion Recreation Area where you can still see remnants of what once was.

Atsion Recreation Area
James Kuhn/AllTrails
This short, easy hike is about .5 miles out and back (a mile total) along the Mullica River Trail (Yellow Blazes). You'll begin at Atsion Lake (715 Rt. 206, Shamong). Part of the Atsion Recreation Area, you can enjoy swimming during the summer months and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Terrain
Connie Ressler Reiter/AllTrails
The terrain at this abandoned rail trail in NJ is flat with little to no elevation gain. This hike traverses soft sand trails often padded with pine needles. Perfect for beginners and families, anyone can enjoy this short hike.
The Tracks
Flickr/Matt Swern
After about half a mile out, you'll come across stretches of abandoned track - remnants from the former Central Railroad of New Jersey. Hidden under a thick layer of brush and pine, you can still make out the rails. This particular abandoned railroad in NJ was instrumental during the Civil War, helping to transport troops and supplies.

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The Views
Connie Ressler Reiter/AllTrails
There are some pretty amazing views along this route in addition to the abandoned tracks. You'll walk along the Mullica River and can take time to admire the wonderful waterfront. You'll likely spot a few kayakers and some impressive waterfowl.
The History
Gerald Maslak/Google
If you're a history buff, you'll love the option to explore the ghost town of Atsion and the magnificent mansion that still stands. Built in 1826, it once served as a summer estate. Tours are available seasonally. Mill remains, a church, a schoolhouse, and a cemetery can also be found in the area of the Atsion Recreation Area.
Extend Your Hike
Flickr/Jessica
If you'd like a more challenging hike, continue down the Mullica River Trail (Yellow) to the Quaker Bridge Trail (Purple). Turn right onto the Wilderness Camps Connector (Green) and then back onto the Mullica River Trail. This loop totals about 9.6 miles and will take you all the way down to the Batsto River.

Get a closer look at this beautiful area:

Learn more about this Atsion Recreation Area hike to help you prepare for your trip.

Have you ever been to this abandoned rail trail in NJ? What are some of your favorite abandoned places near me in New Jersey? Tell us in the comments!

For other amazing hikes in New Jersey, check out this Garden State hiking bucket list. Be sure to check with AllTrails for any trail closures and updates.

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More to Explore

New Jersey Haunts

Rachel Raimondi | January 28, 2023

Are there any haunted places in New Jersey?

Like any other state, there are many haunted places in New Jersey.  Haunted places in New Jersey include:

The Emlen Physick Estate: Located in Cape May, this house was built by a doctor in 1879. After he and his family passed away, no other residents remained in the house for very long, reporting it to be haunted.

Shades of Death Road: This .7-mile rural road is located within Jenny Jump Forest. It is said that it's haunted by the criminals and victims of highway robbers who were hanged from trees along the road.

The Devil’s Tower: Built by a loving husband for his wife in 1910 so that she could get a broad view of NYC, it’s believed that from this tower she saw her husband being unfaithful and jumped to her death.

What are the creepiest cemeteries in New Jersey?

It can be argued that any cemetery is spooky, but here are a few picks for the creepiest cemeteries in New Jersey:

Union Cemetery: Located in Hackettstown, this cemetery is said to be haunted by Tillie Smith, an 18-year-old girl who was brutally murdered and buried here.

Eglington Cemetery: This cemetery is in Clarksboro. Established in 1776, it has hundreds of years of history and spirits to haunt it. There are 70,000 people buried here, and it is widely believed that many of them roam the cemetery still.

Are there any haunted hotels in New Jersey?

If you want to make an overnight out of it, there are several haunted hotels in New Jersey:

Angel of the Sea: This hotel is located in Cape May. It is said to be haunted by a former guest who in the 1960s fell to her death after trying to climb into her room from the outside.

Grenville Hotel: This hotel is located in Bayhead. Built in 1890, many of its guests have reported strange occurrences during their stay, from phantom children making noise in the hallway to spirits roaming the corridors.

Surf City Hotel: You’ll find this haunt on Long Beach Island. While the original structure built in the late 19th century burned down, its spirits seem to have stayed on the land.

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