Cattus Island County Park: Trails, Wildlife & Tips for Your Visit
Discover the quieter, wilder side of the Jersey Shore at Cattus Island County Park in Toms River, where over 553 acres of scenic trails and a nature boardwalk bring you close to coastal woods, peaceful marshes, and beautiful bay views. Spot ospreys and herons, explore hands-on nature exhibits, let the kids enjoy the state-of-the-art playground and visitor center, or bring your leashed dog for a scenic stroll, all with free admission!
Plan Your Visit
Address: 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone Number: 732-270-6960
Operating Hours: 7am - 5:30pm, as of 11/7 closing time is 5:00pm
Restrooms on site: The Visitor Center offers indoor restrooms, and there are several Porta-Potties located throughout the park.
Visitor Center:
The 5,000-square-foot A. Morton Cooper Environmental Center brings nature to life with hands-on exhibits, an indoor bee sanctuary, and live displays of native reptiles and fish. Visitors of all ages can explore a habitat tree and tunnel, watch a live osprey cam, and enjoy a bird-viewing area, children’s activity corner, and educational classrooms.
Butterfly Garden:
Explore the Butterfly Garden near the Cooper Environmental Center, showcasing native plants and pollinators. The garden is open year-round but is most active from mid-May to mid-October.
Wildlife and Birdwatching:
Cattus Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with ospreys, herons, and seasonal migratory birds to discover throughout the year. Several bird blinds offer quiet spots to observe and photograph birds in their natural habitat.
Flora and Fauna: The island is home to a rich assortment of plant life, including maritime forests, wildflowers, and salt-tolerant vegetation.
Barnegat Bay's Influence: The surrounding Barnegat Bay influences the island's ecology, creating a unique blend of coastal and woodland habitats.
Walking and bike trails:
Explore the vast 530-acre Cattus Island County Park with 7 miles of roads and walking trails. Discover tidal salt marshes, maritime forests, beaches, and diverse ecosystems within the park.
Main Trail – this trail or road is 1 mile long and extends from the Visitor Center to the southern tip of the beach and Barnegat Bay. It is very flat and an excellent trail for bike riding, dog walking, jogging, or a mobility scooter.
Maritime Forrest Trail (Red Trail) – This trail is a 1.6 mile walking trail and extends from west of the visitor center through the Forrest portion of the park.
Swamp Crossing Trail (Red and White trail) – This walking trail cuts across the Maritime trail, about ½ mile into it. It diverts through more water-based ecology and connects to the northwest side of the Maritime trail.
Island Trail (Blue Trail) – This trail is 1.5 miles. It is off of the main trail and brings you past Mosquito Cove where you a get beautiful view of the Silver Bay and beach.
Island Trail Extension (Blue and White trail) – Extends the blue trail hike northeast by .8 miles
Yellowbank Trail (Yellow trail) – This walking trail runs 1.6 miles and encompasses forests, marshes, and the beach at Silver Bay. It’s one of the most scenic trails and has a rustic bird observation blind.
Hidden Beach Trail (Orange Trail) – This is a .6 mile walking trail that can be accessed on the northeastern part of the Island. Access is off of the Main Trail.
Boardwalk Trail – This is a .2 mile ADA-compliant boardwalk that extends from the Parking lot to the Visitor Center. Vast views of the ecosystem.
Observation Platform:
Access the main observation platform easily from the Visitor Center, providing panoramic views of marshes, Osprey stands, rivers, and Barnegat Bay. It’s a great place to take a selfie with all of that beauty behind you.
Picnic Area, Playground, and Swings:
Bring the little ones to the swing park and jungle gym located right off the parking lot and entry to the Boardwalk.
Many Picnic tables and grills are available next to the playground (call to see grill availability)
Detailed History of Cattus Island:
1615: Captain Cornelius Hendrickson, the first European explorer to reach Ocean County, explored the New Jersey coast, discovering the area that now constitutes over half of Cattus Island during his voyage on the ship "Onrust" between latitudes 38 and 40 degrees.
1680s: William Dockwra, Secretary and Registrar for the Board of Proprietors in England, purchased the land, eventually dividing into smaller parcels.
1758: Joseph Page acquired the land, and by 1763, the Page family settled on the island, engaging in sheep, flax, and corn farming. Timothy Page, born in 1763, served in the local militia during the American Revolution.
American Revolution: The island played a role during the Revolution as locals used it to bring captured or stranded British vessels from Barnegat Bay into the Toms River to unload their cargoes.
1842: After Timothy Page's death, Lewis Applegate purchased the island. He developed the southeastern section, constructing a sawmill and a port for lumber boats. The section is now named after him.
1867: The island was sold again and was intended for resort development, but the 1873 depression halted the project.
1895: John V. A. Cattus, a New York importer and Olympian, develops the land into a retreat with a hunting lodge, farm, boat house, and dock.
1964: Cattus's sons sell the land to developers.
1973: The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department purchased Cattus Island, preserving its ecological significance for future generations.
1980: The park opens with the county's first environmental center.
2012: Hurricane Sandy causes damage, and local Boy Scouts contribute to the cleanup and restoration as part of their Eagle Scout projects.
Now you know all about Cattus Island, go and Experience it
Spend a few hours or a full day at Cattus Island exploring scenic trails, spotting wildlife, and enjoying the quieter side of the Jersey Shore. It's Free and you can spend 10 minutes or all day exploring.
