The Rancocas Conservancy owns or maintains 12 preserves throughout the Rancocas Creek Watershed.  The following is a description of each:

NORTH BRANCH PRESERVE, PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP

Our largest preserve at 198 acres, it contains a mixture of Pine Barrens and Inner Coastal Plain vegetation. The preserve has a network of walking trails on both sides of the Creek and has a public boat launch and parking lot located on the west side of the Pemberton by-pass. The south side trails are pictured below. The north side trails form a figure eight. The trailhead is on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, just west of St. Mark’s Church. Be sure to find the large vernal pond on the south side to hear the frogs call in the Spring.

BEECHWOODS PRESERVE, PEMBERTON BOROUGH

Marked by stately American Beech trees along the south bank of the Rancocas Creek, this 56-acre preserve is laced with hiking and biking trails and located in the heart of Pemberton Borough. The north unit is accessed off Antis Street and contains the ruins of the Budd Cranberry Company facilities; a turn-of-the century enterprise run by one of the original settlers of the region. The south unit is best accessed on the Pemberton Rail Trail along side Frog Canoe and Kayak on Hanover Street.

wurst PRESERVE, medford twp. & evesham twp.

Beautiful at any time of year. Pine Barrens tree frogs are numerous in the spring and the fall colors are breathtaking. A one-mile loop trail takes the visitor through Pine Barrens savannahs, hardwood swamps and by a picturesque pond suitable for picnics. The preserve is located in Medford just south of the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. It is located at the intersection of Tansborough and Oak Ridge Roads

Dixontown PRESERVE, MEDFORD township

Donated by Core States Bank, this 11-acre preserve is nestled between Dixontown Road and Stokes Road in Medford Township. It is located along the transition zone between the inner and outer coastal plains which provides for an interesting intermingling of plant life.

COWAN PRESERVE, MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

A gift from the Township of Medford, this 28-acre tract is a diverse hardwood swamp along the Southwest Branch of the Rancocas Creek. Several rustic trails provide access to the property, but be prepared for wet feet. An excellent location for spring bird watching. To access this property, park along Chapel Avenue near Hobart Drive.

Pipers corner PRESERVE, shamong TOWNSHIP

There are two trailheads, located on Shawnee Lane and at the cul-de-sac at the end of Minisink Lane, however, as of May, 2023 trail maintenance is needed and hiking here not recommended.

Friendship Creek PRESERVE, tabernacle TOWNSHIP

As of May, 2023, there are no trails at Friendship Creek Preserve and the bridge crossing Friendship Creek via Iricks Causeway is closed to vehicle traffic. However, parts of the preserve featuring dense cedar swamp may be accessed on the Whispering Pines Trail in the nearby section of Wharton State Forest. Parking for the Whispering Pines Trail is located at the intersection of Route 532 and Patty Bowker Road.

mirror lake PRESERVE, PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP

At 3 acres, this is the smallest property the Conservancy manages. But despite its size, it contains a wonderful diversity of early successional Pine Barrens habitats including a healthy population of the beautiful turkey beard and swamp magnolia trees lining the tributary stream of the North Branch Rancocas that bisects it. The property can be accessed from Wheeler Trail in Browns Mills.

BEAR SWAMP PRESERVE, MEDFORD AND SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIPS

This acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Audubon Wildlife Society. It is now owned by the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust and co-managed with the Conservancy. Look for the prothonotary warblers in the summer. Several trails can be accessed from Hawkin Road in Medford.

Greenwood BRANCH Preserve

This compact, 11-acre preserve has ½ mile walking trail loop that takes the visitor though Pitch Pine uplands and Atlantic white-cedar swamps along the south bank of the beautiful serpentine Greenwood Branch. Most notable are the views from the 25-foot high banks overlooking the meanders of the stream. The property is located on the north side of Four Mile Road 0.8 miles south of the New Lisbon Post office. Parking for two cars is available off the sand lane at the Preserve’s entrance.

Cold Spring Preserve, Evesham township

As of May, 2023 the section of Cold Spring Preserve adjacent to Black Run Preserve on Kettle Run Road has been damaged by two fires and is closed. The sections on both sides of nearby Bortons Mill Road are undamaged, however they are in need of trail maintenance and hiking here is not recommended at this time.

BUCKS COVE RUN PRESERVE, pemberton township

Bucks Cove Run Preserve is nestled between Whitesbog Preservation Trust and Brendan Byrne State Forest. The blue-blazed Huckleberry Trail may be accessed via North Whitesbog Road from the village.