NJDEP Bureau of GISThis layer was created to provide an authoritative database of statewide trails, to be used primarily for planning and cartographic purposes, and to provide a model to encourage consistency in the mapping of trails and trail attributes for the maintenance and update of accurate trail data. NOTE: This dataset is a first iteration and is in no way complete; instead, this should be viewed as a ‘living' dataset. The NJ Trails Taskforce is currently developing a process to maintain, fill in data gaps, and make the dataset more robust over time There is no authoritative central location for the public to access Trail locations online. Many independently owned websites offer this information, but it is often crowd sourced and therefore may not be accurate. If the state hosted and maintained the NJ Statewide Trails GIS data then the general public, landowners, land managers, and first responders would have a reliable place to look for this information. Data can be used for planning new trails, advocating for use, search and rescue, and more. NOTE: Managing agency will still be primary point of contact for the most accurate, up-to-date trail locations and conditions. Users of the data will be able to see where trails are in relation to their area of interest. Users can use trail data to plan hiking trips and create routes. Data can be used on maps to show location of trails when relevant or used in analysis. First responders can use data to find lost hikers. There is also a benefit statewide - data can be used as a statewide trail planning tool to improve New Jersey's trail network. For Green Acres and others involved in land preservation, this data will assist in the identification of parcel acquisitions needed to connect larger trail systems, and it will allow the Trails Program to effectively evaluate project proposals. For the Office of Environmental Justice, the environmental justice mapping tool can be used in conjunction with this database to target efforts in overburdened communities where trails or access to trails are limited or nonexistent. For the State Park Service, this data will allow land managers to make trail connections to adjacent properties to improve the trail network, and the data can be used on existing maps to show trails that neighbor park properties. For the New Jersey State Police, Search and Rescue efforts can be aided using this data. For government agencies, non-profits and others, trail data will provide the data necessary to accurately plan for connections or extensions to existing trail networks and/or be used to advocate for the creation of new and/or connecting trail networks.ArcGIS FeatureLayerhttps://hub.arcgis.com/datasets/2fa0ddfecdf74f8a8718bd3791dabdd7_10engNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Bureau of GISPublicStatewide Trails in New Jersey [New Jersey]Web servicesNew JerseyLast Modified: 2025-11-24