The Secret Bamboo Forest at Rutgers Gardens, NJ

Hidden to the side of the Rutgers Gardens in East Brunswick, New Jersey is a sight that many people in the Northeast of the USA may not believe could exist: a Bamboo Forest!

The dark entrance to the Bamboo Forest

The half a hectare monoculture of bamboos started as a small experimental grove in the 1950s, but has grown into one of New Jersey's most intriguing "secrets."

Overarching bamboo create an enchanting archway

The Bamboo Forest can be reached by taking the Ryder's Lane exit from Route 1 South, and then continuing to Log Cabin Road, which will deposit you onto a small parking lot next to a building. Walk northeast past that building and you'll come upon the entrance to the Bamboo Forest.

The address of the Bamboo Forest is 126 Log Cabin Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 , and its exact coordinates is 40.472532, -74.425578

The bamboo is Phyllostachys nuda, and it forms a dense monoculture that is quite impressive. Walking paths weave between the culms, shaded by the overarching bamboo plants, and I had to use relatively long exposure times to get good pics.

All in all, we really enjoyed the sidetrip to this magical forest, and I recommend it for anyone passing by the Rutgers University area. Bring a camera, and be prepared to be amazed at this unusual sight!