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Winter Activities


Winter visits to the parks require careful preparation to guard against frostbite and hypothermia. Please review the information on frostbite and hypothermia before your visit.     
   

Currently:  

  • The Holmdel Park Sled Hill is closed.
  • The Thompson Park Ski Hut is closed.
  • Conditions are unsafe for ice skating and ice fishing at all park locations.  
Please check back for updates.  These conditions remain current until otherwise posted here.   


Sledding

sledding


When there is snow on the ground and conditions are safe, Holmdel Park, Longstreet Rd., Holmdel, is the place to go for sledding.  Call Holmdel Park at 732-946-9562 for current sledding conditions.

 

Ice Skating

ice skating

When the conditions are right and the ice is at least five inches thick, start looking for the "Skating Today" signs at Holmdel, Shark River and Turkey Swamp Parks. It normally takes at a week to 10 days of subfreezing temperatures to produce safe skating conditions.
   

 Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Equipment Rentals 

ski hut

Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Rentals
Thompson Park Ski Hut, Lincroft - The Ski Hut is adjacent to the Three Barns Parking Lot, near the off-leash dog area.
December 15- March 15  (Closed December 25.)
9 a.m.- 5 p.m., conditions permitting*  
* Conditions change rapidly. Please check back for updated conditions and hours of operation prior to heading to the park.
Equipment must be returned before 5 p.m.   

Cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment is available for rent at the Ski Hut, conditions permitting. Skis and/or snowshoes are available on a first come, first served basis.  

Daily Rental Pricing:     

  • Ski Equipment: $20 per person; $15 per child 8 & under
    • Cross-country ski rentals include boots, skis and poles.
    • Children's cross-country rentals (ages 3-8) are skis only. Children must wear snow boots as these skis strap directly onto their boots.
  • Snowshoes: $15 per pair
  • Cash, check, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), Apple & Samsung Pay accepted. 

Equipment 

  • We offer waxless cross-country skis with a NNN or original SNS binding system, ski boots, and poles.
  • Rental boot sizes range from a European 33 (child's size 2) to a European 50 (men's size 15). 
    • Skis for children below a size 33 do not require ski boots; child will use their own snow boots.
  • Snowshoes are available in child and adult sizes. Renters use their own boots.

For more information regarding equipment rentals, call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.

Cross-country ski trails are groomed at Thompson Park when there is enough snow and conditions are favorable.  Here's the Cross Country Ski Trail Map for Thompson Park.  Restrooms are located in the Thompson Park Visitor Center and the Creative Arts Center.  Portable toilets are located throughout the park. 

Park patrons are welcome to use the trails, fields and open spaces at the following sites for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing:

*These sites have restrooms.  **Hartshorne Woods Park has restrooms in the Rocky Point parking lot in Highlands.  Portable toilets are available at our other sites.   
   

Ice Fishing

Drop a line at the Manasquan Reservoir, Thompson Park, and Turkey Swamp Park. See a park ranger for the designated ice fishing area and times in each park. Those ice fishing should be prepared to cut their own hole.

Please note that the Park System's Deer Management Program will be underway at several of these sites. For complete details on locations and dates, please click here.