Home › New Jersey › Lebanon › Cold Brook Nature Preserve
Cold Brook Nature Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 24 Google reviews · Running trail in Lebanon, New Jersey · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Cold Brook Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Preserved land on a former farm open to walkers, bikers & horseback riders on its easy trails.
What runners say about Cold Brook Nature Preserve
“Now yes, the surrounding landscape is beautiful, the air is fresh, and being outside is great, but if you're looking for nature, this is likely not the spot for you.”
The Cold Brook Preserve is, according to the town and county, a 287 acre park with multiuse trails. However, this is more farm than park. There are trails for public use along with ample parking to access them, but this is not a nature preserve or even natural habitat for that matter.
Beautiful trails through a corn field with a nice view of the sunset. There's also a brook, as seen in the name, if you walk far enough.
This is basically a good size farm field with some woods along the fence lines and a stream that runs through it. Also a small stand of woods in one corner with a few paths. There is one dirt road up the middle, but mostly the walking is around the edges of corn fields on the uneven grass margin. Often there is mud.
Trail conditions & character
“Now yes, the surrounding landscape is beautiful, the air is fresh, and being outside is great, but if you're looking for nature, this is likely not the spot for you.”
“There are trails for public use along with ample parking to access them, but this is not a nature preserve or even natural habitat for that matter.”
Plan your run at Cold Brook Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteco.hunterdon.nj.us
- Phone(908) 782-1158
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Lebanon
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cushetunk Mountain Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 99 reviews
Nature preserve with well-marked and shaded hiking trails, including a challenging uphill climb.
Pickell Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 186 reviews
Well-maintained park with a playground and a walking/paved trail, plus basketball, baseball and tennis courts, plus an exercise class.
Hacklebarney State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,873 reviews
1200-acre park hosting a fish-stocked river, hiking-only trails & hunting on 600 acres.
