Somerset County's Prized Tourist Location
At Duke Farms, there is a variety of activity and sightseeing to enjoy. After coming to the park on weekends and during the weekday evenings, I have come to realize just how much this park offers to its visitors and what kinds of activities people are able to enjoy there.
Some Local History
Established by James Buchanan Duke as his estate in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Duke Farms started out as land bought by the wealthy business magnate. In 2012, after thorough planning and careful organization, the park was opened to the public to visit, take hikes, tour his old mansion, and visit a few of the waterfalls on the property.
Duke turned more than 2,000 acres of farmland property into what the park is today. It includes more than 15 miles of roads, 45 buildings, and nine manmade lakes. The purpose of the property today largely revolves around environmental efforts, which can be clearly sought out by locating the park's large greenhouse at the heart of the property.
The park has come a long way in the past nine years. The map with the most popular hiking trails in the area has expanded as well, and I have found it to be quite extensive and resourceful when traveling up the beautiful hills and slopes located in this corner of Somerset County.
What to do at Duke Farms
At Duke Farms, there is a variety of activity and sightseeing to enjoy. After coming to the park on weekends and during the weekday evenings, I have come to realize just how much this park offers to its visitors and what kinds of activities people are able to enjoy there.
Additionally, there's a fun sustainability scavenger hunt that the park announced at the start of this summer! When I last visited the park, I was offered a chance to participate in an interesting scavenger hunt around the park. Here are some of the elements I got to explore as part of the hunt:
Final Thoughts: You Must Visit!
The sheer size and magnitude of the place is sure to make anyone a bit uneasy, but in my opinion, Duke Farms is the best place to visit this summer. Whether it be on a hot, sunny day or even a cold, rainy one, this place is sure to keep you on your toes with its breathtaking nature, extensive activities, and the absolutely high level of fun you can experience if you bring your friends and family along.
