Website Piney Paddlers/Sierra Club
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If you’ve ever driven south of Trenton on Rte. 29, you’ve probably noticed that the interchange with Interstates 295 and 195 is built in the midst of a major wetlands. The area, known alternately as the Trenton-Hamilton Marsh, or the Trenton-Hamilton-Bordentown Marsh, is a 1,250 acre protected wetlands and wildlife preserve.
If you’re like me, a marsh may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of outdoor excursions (I generally think of mountains and trout streams), but then you’d be missing one of the most fascinating natural resources in the area.
You can go walking on some 8 miles of trails in Mercer County, and another 4-6 miles in Burlington County, not to mention the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park that cuts across the Marsh. Yes, it is flat (an advantage to some).
There’s fishing in most of the lakes (at least until the Lilly pads grow in and take away much of the surface area for fishing).
You can go birding for species you’ll find few other places in the area, including red wing blackbirds.
You can go canoeing and kayaking through the Marsh and along Crosswicks Creek. While I confess I haven’t done it, it looks on the map that you can arrange a car shuttle, putting in near the northern access points, and taking out at “Bordentown Beach.” Of course, you don’t need my advice, you can paddle with experts: the Piney Paddlers, working with the Sierra Club, organizes a group trip roughly every two weeks during the season. Click on their link for times and dates.
Here we’ve collected some of the available information about walking, organized by access point. There’s a lot more if you muck around the websites above, or start googling the marsh.
Northern Access Points:
Central Access Points:
South:
Some Related Reviews:
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Activities | Birding | Canoe/Kayaking | Fishing | Hiking/Walking
Thank you! Fun to discover beauty right in your own “backyard”
I have walked my dogs here many times. It’s a beautiful place that doesn’t see much traffic.
Thanks for including info about the Abbott Marshlands (aka Hamilton – Trenton – Bordentown Marsh. Coming soon: ‘ Abbott Marshlands – More Than Meets the Eye’ an exhibit at The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalder Park; Sept. 20-Nov. 16 with opening on Sept. 20, 2014. The exhibit will feature art, artifacts, and nature displays of the marshlands. The Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave. will be dedicated the week of Oct. 5. Many programs are planned to celebrate the Abbott Marshlands and complement the exhibit at Ellarslie, World Rivers Day (Sept 28), and the opening of the nature center. Check any of the following websites for a schedule of programs after Aug. 15: Mercer County Park Commission, Ellarslie, Friends for the Abbot Marshlands.
How nice a website about my backyard! I grew up in broad st. park and spent many a day down the lake, watsons creek and the swamp. There used to be/spring boxes in the creek and yes we drank from them! Do any members know about the cat walks ? I believe they were built for access to the power lines leading to the power plant. There may some sections still standing,not sure.
Great website about everything Trenton! Thank you for writing about the Marsh – a very special place. Friends for the Marsh has walks and interesting activities for the entire family year-round at no charge.
We lead the Sierra Club canoe and kayak trips; they are fun, educational and a lovely way to enjoy the outdoors close to home and catch “Swamp Fever” too!
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Editor’s Comment: George and Leona run the Pine Paddler’s / Sierra Club tours of the swamp which sound like a wonderful way to experience the swamp! Click on the link to see the tour description.