The Harold N. Peek Preserve has a sort of come-one, come all approach to the great outdoors. The Preserve has several easy trails that wind throughout its 256-acres that make it easy for beginner and intermediate hikers. Sections of the Peek Preserve are handicapped accessible with several wheelchair-friendly trails and paths and a 160-foot long boardwalk and observation deck that offer sweeping views of the Maurice River. And experienced naturalists and birders will have lots to keep them occupied as they explore the Pine Barrens, cedar swamps and hardwood swamps.

Follow the trails – there are three ranging from 1½ mile round trip Red Cedar Overlook trail to the ¾ mile River Overlook trail to the 1/3 mile Jenkins Landing Trail and depending on the time of year, you can spot Tundra Swan, Prothonotary, yellowthroats, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and scads of other raptors, especially during migration season. As for green-growies, the Preserve nurtures Sweet Gum, Black Gum, pitch and Virginia Pine and bogs of Atlantic white cedar.

Although you can’t fish here, you can go bowhunting for deer, as long as you get a special permit from the Natural Lands Trust. The Preserve is in the process of building an information center that will have brochures, maps and on-site staff, but until that opens, you can consult the information kiosk near the entry that has some info about what you’ll see within the Preserve and where to find it. Meanwhile, there is already a restroom at the Preserve which isn’t something you find at every preserve.