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Hawk Rise Sanctuary ~ Linden’s Nature & Wildlife Trail

Entrance to Hawk Rise Sanctuary

Entrance to Hawk Rise Sanctuary

 

Stroll through the woods at Hawk Rise Sanctuary!

Close to Route 1 in Linden, in an industrial area with strip malls, a police firing range, and a filled in landfill you’ll find a hidden treasure. In one of the last places you’d think to find an ecological preserve, is Hawk Rise Sanctuary! Hawk Rise was opened in 2012 and is maintained by the NJ Audubon Society. The flat trails inside are about 1.5 miles long, and the sanctuary spans 95 acres.

 

Strolling through Hawk Rise

Strolling through Hawk Rise

 

At the entrance to Hawk Rise is information for visitors including animal and plant species to look for, as well as any upcoming programs. There’s a porta potty but no other facilities at the location so plan accordingly! At the start of the sanctuary you have options on which way to go, and throughout the park there are other forks in the trails – choose wisely but be sure to go back and see what you missed.  There’s a deer enclosure in the center of the entry area, keeping those deer from the plants and let them grow!

 

The pedestrian walkway at Hawk Rise

The pedestrian walkway at Hawk Rise

 

There is plenty of educational signage to help identify wildlife you see along the way, as well as the explanation for the landscape you see. The majority of the sanctuary is shaded by tall trees and there are benches along the way to rest. Maybe you can find some of the over 100 species of birds that have been identified at the sanctuary! We saw birds but no other mammals during our hike.

 

We did some some small fish in the creek as we crossed the pedestrian bridge. There are pretty berries and flowers along the way as well, but of course it’s a look and don’t touch location, so take photos but nothing else! Into geocaching? Thanks to a local Girl Scout troop, Hawk Rise has some spots to discover!

 

Hawk Rise trail

Hawk Rise trail

 

What you need to know before you visit Hawk Rise Sanctuary

  • Hours are dawn to dusk.
  • There is a small parking lot at the entrance, and a porta potty for use, but no restroom facilities.
  • Bug spray is suggested!
  • Some paths are paved but many are gravel – so bringing a stroller might be difficult.
  • Pets are prohibited.
  • “Take only photographs, leave only footprints”

 

For more Hawk Rise Sanctuary photos, see our Facebook Album. For more information about the Hawk Rise Sanctuary visit this site.

Lots to learn at Hawk Rise!

Lots to learn at Hawk Rise!

 

In full disclosure this is not a sponsored post.

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Rand Simon

Saturday 29th of June 2019

I have a question- Is Hawk Rise Sanctuary handicap accessable, and can my wife use a mobility scooter on the trails?

Jennifer A.

Saturday 29th of June 2019

We're not sure. I'd recommend contacting them directly. I'm sorry we don't have more information. It's been some time since we visited. - Jenn

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