Biking Hiking with Kids

Dorbrook Recreation Area is a 535 acres park in the Monmouth County Park System. There are lots to do, such as a playground, tennis courts, horseshoe courts, an inline skating rink, basketball courts, baseball field, soccer field, open fields, an area for model airplane flying and model rocket launches, and 2.3 miles of paved trail for walking, biking, and in-line skating.

Dorbrook Recreation Area Entrance (Monmouth County Park System Picture)

However, the biggest draw to the park is the Sprayground. Basically, the Sprayground is a playground with water. The playground and the area around the play area get very crowded. The water playground is a great place on a hot day for the kids to cool off between activities at the Dorbrook Recreation Area. The Sprayground is limited to kids age 13 and under.

The kids and me went mountain bike riding on the 2.3 miles of paved trail. It’s a multiuse trail for walking, biking, and in-line skating. The trail gets crowded, too. Especially be alert to dog walkers with long leashes.

The trail is well kept and well maintained. There is nothing nature about the park or the pave trail. However, most of the trail is lined on one side by thick woods. There are a few short grass covered trails cut through the tall grasses to give you a chance for some limited “off-road” mountain biking.

All in all, the Dorbrook Recreation Area would be a great place to spend the day with your children. Either hiking with kids or biking with kids, the 2.3 mile paved trail would probably be fun and entertaining for kids under six years of age. There are some wildlife activities, such as bird, insects, groundhogs, because of the tall grasses and woods. Nevertheless, the big hit will definitely be the Sprayground.

The Dorbrook Recreation Area is located at:
209 County Route 537 East
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 542-1642 – Visitor Center

Directions (as provided by the Monmouth County Park System):

· Garden State Parkway to Exit 109. Southbound, turn right onto Rt. 520 (Newman Springs Rd.); northbound, turn left onto Rt. 520. Follow Rt. 520 (1.5 miles) to Swimming River Rd., turn left. Follow Swimming River Rd. to Rt. 537 west, turn right. Follow to Area.
· State Hwy. 34 to Rt. 537 east. Southbound, turn left; northbound, turn right. Follow Rt. 537 east to Area.
· State Hwy. 18 to Exit 19, Hwy. 34 north. Follow Hwy. 34 to Rt. 537 east. Turn right. Follow Rt. 537 to Area.

Link to Dorbrook Recreation Area page Monmouth County Park System.

Check out other bike rides:

Bike Rides in NJ -

Cheesequake State Park
Clayton Park
Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail
Hartshorne Woods Park
Henry Hudson Trail
Huber Woods Park
Manasquan Reservoir
Sandy Hook
Tatum Park
Thompson Park

Bike Rides in NY -

Minnewaska State Park