Plainsboro Preserve — Attraction in Plainsboro Township

Plainsboro Preserve trails: tranquil lakeside views, well-marked wooded paths, and the uniquely peaceful vibe of Maggie’s Trail jutting into McCormack Lake.

Plainsboro Preserve Trail Walk – What You Need to Know

Overview • The Plainsboro Preserve spans over 1,000 acres of open space in Plainsboro Township, NJ, featuring the 50-acre McCormack Lake at its heart • It offers 5+ miles of easy-to-moderate hiking trails through diverse ecosystems—mature beech forests, wet meadows, and peaceful lake shores • Trail markers use multiple colors (white, blue, red, yellow, orange, purple, green) to guide hikers; each color corresponds to a different loop or section

Classic loop suggestion: White → Maggie’s Trail (peninsula overlooking the lake) → Blue → return via White → Yellow/Red → loop back—about 4.6 miles total • You can extend the route to about 5.5 miles by adding the Orange Trail for extra lakeshore views • There’s also a short ~3-mile loop combining White → Maggie’s → Yellow → Red → Purple for a lighter hike

Things to Know Before You Go • Parking: Limited to ~50 cars at the lot off 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury, NJ • The trails are flat and accessible, suitable for families, casual hikers, and even stroller use on the White Trail • Education Center: The Rush Holt Environmental Education Center on-site offers nature exhibits, restrooms, and is open seasonally (hours vary) • Rules: No pets, bikes, horses, picnicking outside designated areas, fishing, swimming, or alcohol permitted. Stick to trails only • Trails are open year-round, generally from early morning until around dusk (later in summer). The preserve typically closes about one hour before dusk • Some areas, especially the Blue Trail, may be muddy or have mosquitoes—bring appropriate footwear and insect repellent

Why You’ll Love This Trail • Accessibility: Flat terrain and color-coded loops make it easy to tailor to your time and pace. • Scenic variety: Traverse forest, fields, and lakeshore—all within a compact preserve. • Maggie’s Trail: A standout feature—a narrow peninsula offering quiet lakeside views and benches to pause. • Wildlife & habitat: Keep a lookout for waterfowl, beavers, turtles, and seasonal blooms. The preserve supports rare plant species and varied habitat zones • Educational perks: Great for curious minds—especially families—with exhibits and programs...

OMG Wow!! This is probably hands down, no doubt about it the best park I’ve experienced in NJ. Ok that’s not entirely true..but it’s definitely on the top of my list! Upon driving in, it feels like an exclusive location. Which is always a fun feeling. Not sure if this was normal, but it was pretty empty at 2:00pm on a Saturday. There was plenty of parking & good instructions on a bulletin board just before the entrance. I honestly felt like Dora the Explorer(without the book bag)walking down the scenic trail & taking in all the beautiful foliage. Besides the lovely sounds of different unique birds, the hustling & bustling of little 4 leg creatures and the smell of a thriving ecosystem, this nature walk was a reminder of why New Jersey is such a special place to be & explore! Another lovely highlight is all the seating along every part of the park, which is great for elders, small children, or anyone wanting to rest for a moment. The best part of experiencing this well preserved land was seeing a real beaver & chipmunk up close & personal. I’m looking forward to going back to explore some of the free programs they offer & walk the yellow, red, green and blue trails!...

Amazing place for trail walkers, nature lovers and Pokémon Go trainers who want to raid at the Preserve's gym.

In addition to trails, exhibits, a gift shop and something special for the little ones, you can see live reptiles and amphibians that are very well cared for (says this former wildlife rehabilitation permit holder). The long-time resident darlin' starling, Ringo Starr, is hilarious and adorable. From the lobby window, you can watch the bird feeder, where you might be fortunate enough to notice a white-footed mouse dart out to collect seeds dropped by the birds.

We raided in the front entry after asking at the desk if we posed a problem for the center. It was warm and pleasant on a freezing, high-wind day, with comfortable seating. I would recommend outdoor raiding on the back deck for large groups to avoid disturbing staff and visitors. Please don't block the entryway.

Finally--and this will be a relief to parents especially--the restrooms are clean and comfortable. An excellent...