If you’re looking for a winter family-friendly activity that’s sweet, celebrates the outdoors, and is educational, why not try maple sugaring in NJ? Luckily, you don’t have to travel far—the Garden State has a bunch of places where you can learn about the process of identifying maple trees, collecting sap, syrup making, as well as tasting the sweet sap (and bringing home the skills to tap your own trees). Scroll down to learn more about maple sugaring in NJ, and for more things to do this season, make sure you check out our guide to winter activities in NJ. (featured photo credit: istock/Marc Bruxelle)
Maple Sugaring In NJ
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Echo Hill
January 19, February 9, February 23, March 15
Collect sap and start the sugaring process at Echo Hill in Hunterdon County. This program begins on January 19 with Maple Tree Tapping, then on February 9 and 23, they will run the Maple Sap Collection, and on March 15 is the Maple Sugar Living History Open House.
Cost: $8, and the Open House is free
42 Lilac Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 US
Tenafly Nature Center
January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, and 16
Make a day of it at this popular nature center, where you can learn how to identify a maple tree, hear about the history of maple sugaring, and see how the technology has changed.
Cost: Children under 2 are free, members are $8, and non-members are $12. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
January 25 and 26, February 1 and 2
At this event, you’ll identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. The syrup will be available for purchase while supplies last.
Cost: $6 per person; Pre-registration is required for ages 6 and up.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ 07928
Poricy Park Nature Center
January 29
Drill holes, hammer in tappers, and hang buckets, all for a delicious, sweet treat as you learn the steps of making maple syrup at Poricy Park Nature Center. The walk down and back is approximately .5 miles. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Register online through a community pass; prices vary per event
345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank 07701
The New Weis Center
January 29, February 8, 9, 15, 16 and 22
Start the season with a Tree Tapping and Foraged Tea event on January 29. Then, learn about maple sap and syrup’s process, history, and ecology. Take a short hike to see how to tap, collect, and evaporate the sap. Finish off the day with a syrup taste test.
Cost: prices vary per event
150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge
Saturday and Sundays in February
Take part in a 60-minute outdoor program at the Sugar Shack, a half-mile hike from the Environmental Center. See how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods from the past and today, and see the boiling process used to make maple syrup.
Cost: $6 per student/senior or $7 per adult
190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Trailside Nature Center
February-March (dates TBD)
This program shows the journey of sap to syrup while you learn about the life cycle of the sugar maple tree. There will be a field walk and taste testing, too.
Cost: Prices vary, recommended for grades 2-12
452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Watershed Institute
February 8, 15
Give your kids a lesson on the history, folklore, and science of maple sugaring. Visit maple trees, find out how they are tapped using drills and spiles, and try a sample of sweet maple sugar. You will have an up-close view of the evaporation process and how sticky sap transforms into sweet maple syrup.
The cost is $12 per child and $12 per adult. It is for children ages 5 and up, and adult attendance is required.
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Maple Sugaring at the Hermitage
February 15
During this program, you’ll learn how to identify sugar maple trees and tap them. Want to DIY? They can teach you to try maple sugaring in your backyard.
Cost: TBA
335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
Howell Living History Farm
February 15 and 22
On this historic farm, you’ll watch farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and then taste it on top of whole wheat pancakes after visiting the farmhouse kitchen on the February 15 and 22 events. Take your newfound knowledge home to tap maple sugar in your backyard.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
February 21 and March 2
Celebrate the start of Maple Star season on February 21. Then, learn the steps in turning tree sap into delicious maple syrup on March 2 at the annual all-day Maple Sugar Fest. For the festival, the whole family will enjoy spending the day outdoors, hiking the trails, and partaking in a Maple Sugaring Challenge—tap it and see how much syrup you can get from the tree. Don’t miss the hot chocolate, maple vendors, and more.
Cost: Registration is required; prices vary per event
165 Hobart Ave., Summit, NJ 07901
Rancocas Nature Center
February 23 and March 2 (Scouts)
Take a self-guided hike with multiple interactive stations along the Rancocas trails, where you will learn about the sugar maple tree and the history of maple sugaring in NJ. At the end, watch a tapping demo and taste the rewards. A campfire will be burning to keep you warm and toasty, too.
Cost: prices vary per event
794 Rancocas Road, Westhampton, NJ 08060
Van Vleck Gardens
March 1
Bring the whole family to learn about the sugar maple tree, explore the process of transforming sap into syrup, and visit a tapped tree at the Van Vleck Gardens. This event will be indoors and outdoors, and some tasty treats will be served along the way.
Cost: $30 for family (members), $40 for family (non-members), $12 for individuals (members), and $15 for individuals (non-members). Online registration is required.
21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Schiff Natural Lands Trust & Schiff Nature Preserve Maple Sugaring Demonstration Day
March 1-2
This educational presentation will explain the history of maple sugaring, the seasonal life cycle of the sugar maple tree, and how syrup is made, starting with identifying a maple tree by tapping the tree. Watch a wood-fired evaporator at work and then sample the sweet stuff. If you’re up for it, there’s also a two-mile field walk to the working maple grove.
Cost: Free for Schiff members, and the non-member fee is $7 per person
339 Pleasant Valley Road (Use 339 Schiff Dr in your GPS), Mendham, NJ 07945
Happy Day Farm
Mid-March 2025
Did you know it takes about 80 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup? Take a tractor ride on the 130-acre farm with over 700 maple trees, where you’ll see the sugar bush and learn about the equipment needed to collect sap. Also, you’ll get to ID maple trees and even help in the tapping process.
Cost: $18 per person; children under 1 are free. Cash only
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
