Elk Township

Natural beauty takes shape in the form of farmland and trails in Elk Township, where you can slip away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy an outdoor, country lifestyle. “You’re able to take advantage of the open space, but you’re still within driving distance of small, walkable towns,” says Marie Elaina Killian, Realtor with Penzone Realty, who has lived in South Jersey for more than 40 years. “You don’t feel like you’re near much of anything resembling a town, but that’s the beauty of Elk Township. People want that seclusion.”

“Elk Township has brand-new homes popping up, older homes dating back to the early 1900s and everything in between,” Killian says. While the houses are diverse, the one commonality among them is land. Lots in Elk Township rarely measure below a half-acre and feature lush green lawns or expansive farmland. Tree cover provides privacy, and often there are miles between houses. You’ll find ranch ramblers on 2 acres of land near vineyards, making for beautiful scenery, priced around $700,000. There’s also a mix of three- to four-bedroom Cape Cods, new builds, and split-level homes selling in the $400,000 to $500,000 range.

Students are zoned for two school districts – Elk Township and Delsea Regional. They'll begin their education at Aura Elementary School, which earned a B-minus from Niche, before filtering into Delsea Regional Middle School. The middle school has a B-plus rating from Niche and a lengthy list of extracurriculars, including a Renaissance club, peer mediation and a world language club. Delsea Regional High School, which boasts an A-minus from Niche, is known for its music program. It includes a concert band, concert choir, chorus, jazz band and marching band.

As you hike or bike along Elk Township’s Elephant Swamp Trail, developed along an old railroad bed, you’ll want to listen for the footsteps of a giant tusker. Legend has it the trail’s unique name dates from the late 1800s, when a circus was traveling along the railroad, and an elephant got loose in the surrounding swamp, never to be seen again. By the 1980s, the railroad tracks were removed, and the roughly 6-mile trail was formed. It has since become one of Elk Township’s most popular outdoor features. The scenic pathway passes through forests, farm fields and swamps, so you’ll likely see wildlife along the way.

Play a pickup game or quick match with friends on the fenced-in basketball and tennis courts at Elk Township Recreational Park. Wide-open grassy fields provide a great spot for throwing a Frisbee or relaxing with a picnic. Several baseball and soccer fields are scattered across the grounds, where kids regularly play in recreational league games. You can also take kids to the park's partially shaded playground with multiple rock-climbing walls.

While Elk Township has very little retail, a roughly 3-mile drive north will put you in the heart of Glassboro, a small college town. Visitors can venture to Rowan University to walk around the small campus or cheer on the school’s football team at Richard Wacker Stadium. Like many college towns, Glassboro has seen restaurants and retail develop around the campus. There are several grocery stores, including ShopRite, ALDI and Lidl, housed within small shopping complexes. You'll also find Ross, Ulta and Big Lots nearby. Glassboro Town Square, a walkable hub for local shops and restaurants, sits adjacent to Rowan University’s campus. Open since 1946, Angelo’s Diner is a symbol of yesteryear in Glassboro, where many locals say they’ve been eating their whole lives. A heads-up: It’s a cash-only establishment. You might think you’re in Philadelphia when you eat a cheesesteak from Peter & Sons. The quaint sandwich shop has a variety of hoagies on the menu, piled high with homemade meatballs and chicken cutlets.

Commuters making the daily trip to and from Philadelphia will travel roughly 24 miles along New Jersey Route 55. The city also provides access to the Philadelphia International Airport and Jefferson Methodist Hospital, though you can make the 7.5-mile trip south to the Inspira Medical Center campus in Elmer. While you’re within driving distance of charming small towns and metropolitan hubs, Elk Township retains a slower pace of life and solitude amid the area’s beautiful surroundings.

Written By

Sara Ferguson

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Roehrer

Video By

Curtis Newkirk