Duke Farms

Duke Farms is a tribute to environmental stewardship and showcases its natural, horticultural, and historic resources to inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land. The estate is also home to four of New Jersey's largest trees, including two that are over 300 years old.

Duke Farms
80 Route 206 South
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 722-3700

The estate is open to the public by reservation only and visitors should book tours or register for classes and activities in advance.

Duke Farms is spread over a 2,700-acre estate and showcases a variety of wildlife and habitat tours, educational programs and recreational activities for people interested in nature and the environment. The activities are designed for participation by families, children, and cyclists.

The tours and activities include:

Bus to explore over 700 acres of diverse wildlife and habitats
Discover the large variety and diversity of wildlife habitats and endangered species. Visitors will also get see its historic buildings, lakes,woodlands, fountains, sculptures, waterfalls, ornamental horticulture and beautiful trees. Experience how this man-made landscape has evolved over the last 100 years into an important wildlife refuge where visitors can experience different waterfowl and hawk species, wild turkeys and swans.

Walk on the Wild Side
Casually walk the 1 1/4 mile trail that takes you to different habitats where you can experience a variety of wildlife, and learn about Duke Farms living laboratory with ongoing restoration projects.

Moonlight Walk
This is available when there is a full moon where visitors have an opportunity see the moonlight glow through the awesome trees of Duke Farms. The night time stroll brings you close up with nature where the visitor experience the night sights and sounds of different habitats.

Indoor Display Gardens - Weekend Children's Tours
Children’s interactive tours of the gardens designed to appeal to their love of fun and nature.

Gnome Adventure Saturdays September
A fun program geared for children. The resident gnomes of the Indoor Display Gardens have returned after an exciting summer vacation. Children are invited to search for these adventurous gnomes while exploring the sights, scents and sounds of the garden displays.

Safari Tour Last Saturday of Each Month
An interactive guided tour where children take on the role of an animal or insect and play games that teach them about the plants and flowers in the gardens.

Gnome Hunt Weekends in December
Offered during the holiday season where gnomes take up residence among the beautiful floral displays and wait to be discovered. Children read a rhyme to guide their search for gnomes as they explore the sights, scents and sounds of the garden displays.

Bunny Hunt Weekends in April
Discover the topiary bunnies that can be found by children throughout the display gardens. A guided tour where children will receive a worksheet to help them spot the bunnies and will receive a special prize at the end of their tour.

Saturday Morning Scenic Bike Tours
A 7-mile ride will take you past our lakes, waterfalls, bridges and sweeping vistas. Bike Tours are lead by a Duke Farms' guide who provides an overview of the history and environmental significance of the beautiful landscapes. Participants are required to bring their own mountain bikes and protective headgear for this tour. The leisurely-paced ride is suitable for all riders who can ride for two hours, unassisted. The ride includes both paved and gravel roads and does include some inclines. Bike seats or trailers are encouraged for young children.

Duke Farms offers an outdoor restaurant, open from April through December, near the Visitor Center with a variety of salads, sandwiches, beverages and snacks.