The park is named after the 'Double Trouble' cranberry bog, so-called due to the recurring challenges of fire and flood that historically plagued local farmers.
The village was once a company town where workers lived, shopped, and processed cranberries for sale.
The sawmill is powered by a restored waterwheel, demonstrating 19th-century hydraulic engineering.
The site contains a rare example of a traditional cranberry packing house, featuring original machinery used for sorting and boxing the fruit.
The Pine Barrens ecosystem within the park hosts rare pygmy pines and carnivorous pitcher plants in the wetland areas.
The village was largely abandoned by the mid-20th century before the state acquired and began restoring the structures in the 1960s.
Cedar Creek, which runs through the park, is part of the state's Wild and Scenic River system, characterized by its naturally tea-colored, acidic water.
Cranberries are still grown on the site by licensed farmers, continuing the historical land use practiced for over a century.
Double Trouble State Park is a 8,000-acre protected area in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, centered around the restored historic village of the same name. The village serves as a well-preserved example of a 19th-century industrial site dedicated to cranberry cultivation and cedar lumber harvesting. Visitors can tour the original sawmill, a cranberry packing house, and various dwellings that outline the economic history of the region. The park’s landscape features a mix of pine forests, cedar swamps, and the Cedar Creek waterway. Several miles of hiking trails navigate these diverse ecosystems, providing opportunities to view native flora and fauna. The area is designated as a state historic district due to its intact agricultural and industrial architecture. It serves as a living museum of the cranberry industry that once defined this portion of the Pine Barrens. The park is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, focusing on both conservation and historical interpretation.
The wooden bridge overlooking the waterwheel at the historic sawmill.
Bring insect repellent, as the Pine Barrens are known for ticks and mosquitoes during warmer months.
Stick to the marked paths, as the sandy soil in the Pine Barrens can be unstable and supports sensitive vegetation.
Check the park's official event calendar for occasional historical re-enactments or village tours.
Do not attempt to enter locked historic buildings or move equipment in the cranberry bogs.
The historic village buildings may have limited access or scheduled tour times depending on the season; the park grounds are generally open daily from dawn to dusk.
Carry-in, carry-out trash policy applies; sturdy walking shoes are recommended due to sandy and uneven terrain.
