Herrontown Woods

Princeton, New Jersey, United States

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Herrontown Woods in Princeton, New Jersey, is a 142-acre nature preserve and arboretum originally donated in 1957 by Oswald and Elizabeth Veblen, making it Princeton’s first dedicated nature preserve.

The preserve features a diverse upland forest and wooded wetlands with over four miles of trails that wind through mature broadleaf forests filled with oaks, hickories, tulip trees, and other native trees. The landscape includes a variety of habitats like vernal pools, a boulder field, and a botanical art garden, supporting a rich diversity of wildflowers, ferns, and native shrubs.

The Veblen House and Douer Farm Cottage are historic buildings located within the woods, and the Friends of Herrontown Woods actively manage the preserve by maintaining trails, restoring native plants, and controlling invasive species.

The woods provide a sanctuary for local wildlife such as salamanders, breeding frogs, owls, and songbirds, with natural features protected from urban development, offering a peaceful refuge for education, recreation, and nature appreciation in the heart of Princeton.​