Cheesequake State Park

The pink lady’s slippers are in bloom! 🌼

The pink lady's slipper, also known as moccasin flower, is a flowering orchid with a wide range - it can be found in Canada all the way down to Alabama. It typically blooms from early to mid-May. Like many orchids it exhibits a persistently low reproductive rate and takes many years to go from seed to a mature plant, sometimes taking 16 years or more to bloom for the first time. This orchid has a symbiotic relationship with the underground mycorrhizal fungi, making it almost impossible to transplant. So please remember to observe, do not disturb!

Join us on our Guided Nature Hike today at 10:00am to catch a glimpse of these wonderful orchids!

Join the lifeguard team at Cheesequake State Park and help create a safe, welcoming space for every visitor! 💪

No prior experience? No problem! New Jersey State Park’s will train lifeguards in CPR, Automated External Defibrillators, First Aid and other necessary medical practices. Each lifeguard will also receive a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification.

Lifeguard salaries start at $19 an hour. Junior lifeguard salaries are $17.50 an hour.

🛟Lifeguards develop lasting strengths and qualities including teamwork, leadership, clear communication, preparedness, situational awareness and the ability to remain calm and respond effectively in emergency situations. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
🛟Junior lifeguards work on skills training, giving new recruits a head start on their experience. Junior lifeguards cannot perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16. Applicants must be 15 years old.

To get started, apply online and attend a regional swim and run test.

LIFEGUARD TEST DATES:
Saturday, May 2, 9 & 16
📍Oldbridge Family YMCA, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
1 Mannino Park Dr, Old Bridge, NJ 08857

Walk-ins are allowed with a completed lifeguard application form. More detailed information about the Lifeguard employment test including and a permission slip for applicants under 18 can be found here:https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/parksandforests/lifeguard-test-infosheet.pdf

🔗Learn more and apply today at: https://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

Earth Day was established in 1969 to raise public awareness on environmental issues and encourage positive stewardship to help reduce our carbon footprints.

As you hike our trails, please remember to keep it clean and green! New Jersey State Parks are carry-in and carry-out. We recommend bringing a trash bag or two to properly dispose of any waste. Don’t forget to recycle when you can! ♻️

Thank you to everyone who attended our Hike to the Historic Big Tree program! 🌳 It was a beautiful morning to hike in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. We learned about the importance of big trees and the history of this area over the last 250 years.

Our next walk is Birding for Beginners this Sunday, April 19th at 9:00am. 🐦 We hope to see you there!

Boardwalks, birds and beautiful views at Cheesequake State Park! 🐦

Spring is calling and there’s no better answer than getting outside into the fresh air at Cheesequake State Park with a hike on the trails and soaking up the sunshine.

If you haven’t already, now is also the perfect time to join the New Jersey State Parks Celebrate 250 Challenge, a yearlong initiative encouraging New Jerseyans to get outdoors, get moving and celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary throughout 2026: https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/get-outside/celebrate-250-challenge/

In celebration of AmeriCorps Week, we partnered with Betsy Chernoff of AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program on an invasive species removal at Hooks Creek Lake. Everyone did an incredible job helping to clear away phragmites, autumn olive, pear and more from along the edge of the lake. This work also helped to open up a lookout spot where visitors can relax and observe the wildlife in the lake. Thank you to all the volunteers for your hard work!