Historic Smithville Park

49 Rancocas Road
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5000

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Historic Smithville Park
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Historic Smithville Park is the centerpiece of the Burlington County Parks System. As the Smithville Historic District, the village is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Smithville grew from a typical, small mill operation on the Rancocas Creek to a major industrial plant employing hundreds of workers in its shops and yards from the 1860s to the 1920s. Known for its high-quality woodworking machinery, the Smithville-Mt. Holly Bicycle Railroad, and the Star high-wheeled bicycle, Smithville was also well ahead of its time in town planning, sustainability, and workers' rights and welfare. Within its borders, it offered its residents and workers a variety of recreational, artistic and educational opportunities. Smithville was, in just about every way, a model industrial town.

In addition to its intriguing past, this 312-acre park features a diverse collection of habitats and terrain. With upland forests and meadows, freshwater streams and wetlands, creek shoreline and the 22-acre Smithville Lake , visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing and picnicking in an idyllic, natural setting.

The park offers beautiful river vistas and wildlife observation opportunities. Overlook and observation areas are sited to capture stunning views of the waterways and habitats throughout the park. While hiking the trails, visitors might see white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red fox, beaver, cottontail rabbits, red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, and a wide variety of waterfowl.

Facilities and Activities include:

Hiking, biking trails
Limited equestrian trails
600-foot floating trail on Smithville Lake
Picnic areas with playground and group pavilions
Drinking fountains
Rustic gazebo in a wooded setting
0.5 mile interpretive Ravine Nature Trail
Canoe and fishing access to the Rancocas Creek and Smithville Lake
Restroom facilities
Historic district and museum
Butterfly Garden at Smith's Woods parking lot 2

Trail Use - Historic Smithville Park features 4.4 miles of marked trails traversing a variety of terrain types. Please stay on the trails. Most park trails are designated for shared use by hikers and all-terrain bikers. All-terrain bikes must yield to hikers, and bikers must dismount at boardwalk crossings and stairs. The Ravine Nature Trail is for hikers only. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also welcome when trails are snow-covered. Equestrian use is permitted on the Yellow Trail only. Trailer parking is available at the Smith's Woods Area access.

Park Hours - The park is open to the public from 8AM to dusk.
The mansion grounds are open weekdays, 8AM to 5PM. Mansion tours are also available on Wednesdays and Sundays from May through October, and Holiday tours in December.

Pavilion/Shelter Photos

Facility Use Policies and Procedures

No applications will be accepted without confirmation of an available date by phone.