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The Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve is the largest contiguous wetlands in northern Middlesex County. Come and see the wetland woods, marshes, streams, hardwood forest, and diverse wildlife here.  Or just take a walk here to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

There are currently four access points to the preserve:

  1. South Plainfield –  Red Trailhead west – Park at the county lot on Coolidge Street in South Plainfield.
  2. Edison –  Red Trailhead east – Park on the driveway at 205 Tyler Road in Edison.
  3. Edison –  Orange Trailhead east (Songbird Trailhead).
  4. Metuchen – Blue (Opalanie) Trailhead – Park on a nearby street in Metuchen.

Map of the Preserve

Click to enlarge.

The Red Trail (County)

This mile-long red trail runs through a wooded area, then loops along the old Woodbrook Road, and finally meets up with the Songbird Trail just after crossing New York Blvd. This trail was built by the Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps in the Spring of 2024 with guidance from the Peter J Barnes III Wildlife Preserve Commission.

There is a trailhead at a small gravel parking lot on Coolidge Street. There is also parking across the street from the Triple C Ranch and at the trailhead for the Songbird Trail on Nevsky Street.

Click photos to enlarge
Sunlight filtering through tall trees in a wooded section of the Red Trail.
Grassy trail path flanked by tall, straight trees in early fall.
Person walking along a leafy Red Trail path bordered by dense greenery and fencing.
Large rock among trees in a shaded forested area along the trail.
Red trail markers posted on trees beside a dirt path through the woods.
Narrow wooden boardwalk winding through a low-lying forested area with red trail blazes on trees.

The Blue Trail (Opalanie)

The Opalanie Trail (Blue) – An Eagle Scout project completed by Nikolai Krebs in 2015, the Opalanie ( “bald eagle” in Lenape) trail, follows an abandoned right-of-way, taking hikers from Durham Avenue in Metuchen to where the Dismal Brook flows under the abandoned Kilmer railroad spur embankment. This point of access only has street parking, and the trail passes behind private residences, so please be respectful of their privacy. This land is owned by the borough of Metuchen and is not part of the Barnes Preserve.

Click photos to enlarge
“Opalanie Trail” sign marking the grassy trail entrance near a wooden fence.
Young man standing beside the “Opalanie Trail” sign at the wooded trailhead.
Monarch butterfly perched on white wildflowers along the trail.