About this Location

Facility Overview

The Floating Trail Parking lot serves as the primary gateway to the renowned aquatic boardwalk and recreational network within Historic Smithville Park, situated in Eastampton Township, New Jersey. Operated and maintained by the Burlington County Parks System, this open-air surface parking facility provides convenient, direct access to both the natural lakefront amenities and the adjacent preserved 19th-century industrial village. The lot features a ground-level, unobstructed layout that welcomes a diverse range of motor vehicles. Because it is completely open without overhead canopies or garage height restrictions, standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and passenger vans equipped with roof-mounted kayak racks or mountain bikes can maneuver and park without vertical clearance concerns.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located in the heart of Burlington County's scenic Rancocas Creek corridor, this parking area sits mere steps from unique historic and ecological destinations:

Smithville Lake Floating Walkway: A signature 600-foot pontoon-supported floating bridge that spans the surface of Smithville Lake, providing unmatched views of freshwater wildlife, aquatic spatterdock, and waterfowl.
Historic Smithville Village & Mansion: Just a 5-minute walk along park pathways leads to the c. 1840 Greek Revival Mansion, Workers House Museum & Gallery, Visitor Center, and the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County.
Smith's Woods Recreational Area: Directly adjacent, offering expansive picnic pavilions with charcoal grills, modern children's playgrounds, and an educational butterfly pollinator garden.
Historic Downtown Mount Holly: Located approximately 3 miles west, featuring boutique shopping, artisanal dining, and independent taprooms like Spellbound Brewing and Village Idiot Brewing Company.
Rancocas Creek Canoe Trail: Launch points on site allow paddlecraft exploration down scenic Rancocas Creek.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking lot is readily accessible via Smithville Road (Burlington County Route 684), branching onto East Railroad Avenue or Meade Lane depending on your approach. Ingress and egress are straightforward, governed by standard park road configurations with well-marked entrance aprons designed to prevent vehicle bottlenecks, even during weekend festivals and group trail outings. Regional motorists can easily connect from New Jersey Route 38, Route 206, and Interstate 295 (Exit 40), as well as the New Jersey Turnpike (Exit 5) situated just a short drive to the northwest. For public transit passengers, New Jersey Transit bus line 317 stops near Route 38 and Smithville Road, roughly a three-quarter-mile walk from the trail hub.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Complimentary Public Access: Free parking provided year-round for all park guests and outdoor recreationists.
Surface Parking Layout: Level, easily navigable parking aisles allowing smooth turning radius for extended vehicles and crossovers.
ADA Accessibility: Designated accessible parking spaces located adjacent to paved connector pathways and accessible ramps.
Direct Trail Connections: Immediate, marked trailheads linking directly to the Red Trail, Yellow Connector, and Green Trail system.
Park Conveniences Nearby: Year-round public restrooms, seasonal water fountains, waste receptacles, covered picnic pavilions, and trail map kiosks located within short walking distance.

Ideal For

Nature Lovers & Hikers: Outdoor enthusiasts eager to trek the 4.4 miles of wooded footpaths and walk atop the lake's floating trail.
Kayakers & Paddleboarders: Paddlers bringing car-topped kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards to launch into Smithville Lake or Rancocas Creek.
Families & Group Outings: Visitors organizing family picnics, birthday gatherings at reserved park pavilions, and playground outings.
History & Architecture Buffs: Guests touring Victorian-era manufacturing ruins, the H.B. Smith mansion estate, and local county museums.
Birders & Photographers: Enthusiasts seeking serene morning reflections and sightlines of herons, egrets, eagles, and migratory songbirds.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Burlington County parks operate strictly from 8:00 AM until dusk, so drivers should plan to return to their vehicles before sunset as gates and access roads may be secured at twilight. The lot can fill quickly during temperate spring and autumn weekends, particularly when annual events like Earth Fair or Arts in the Park occur, making early morning arrivals highly recommended. Watercraft operators should remember that only electric trolling motors and non-motorized vessels are permitted on the lake. Always review posted signs at the entrance for any seasonal trail maintenance schedules or event-specific parking directions.