Godfrey’s Bridge Spring

## Overview Godfrey's Bridge Spring is a public drinking spring located in the Washington Township area of Burlington County, New Jersey, near the coordinates 39.690304, -74.546824. Situated in the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens — a vast, ecologically unique region known for its sandy soils, pine-oak forests, and naturally filtered groundwater — this spring draws from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system, one of the largest and most important groundwater reserves on the East Coast. The name "Godfrey's Bridge" suggests a historical crossing point, likely tied to early settlement-era infrastructure in the region. Springs throughout the Pine Barrens have been used as freshwater sources for centuries, first by the Lenape people and later by European settlers, ironworkers, and cranberry farmers who relied on the area's abundant, naturally filtered water. Visitors have historically reported that Pine Barrens springs produce cool, clear water with a characteristically clean taste, owing to the natural filtration through deep sand and gravel deposits. ## Directions 1. The spring is located near Washington Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, at GPS coordinates **39.690304, -74.546824**. 2. Use the GPS coordinates in your preferred navigation app to reach the general area. The spring is situated in a rural section of the Pine Barrens, so cell service may be limited — download offline maps before heading out. 3. Look for Godfrey's Bridge Road or nearby access points along local roads in the Washington Township area. The spring is associated with a bridge crossing, so watch for a small waterway or stream near the road. *Note: Specific turn-by-turn directions beyond GPS coordinates are not currently available. If you've visited this spring and can provide detailed route information, your contribution would help future visitors.* ## What to Expect Godfrey's Bridge Spring is set within the scenic landscape of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve encompassing over one million acres of protected forest and wetlands. The surrounding area is characterized by sandy trails, cedar-lined streams with distinctive tea-colored water (tinted by natural tannins from cedar and oak), and a peaceful, remote atmosphere. As a public drinking spring, the site has been used by locals and visitors as a freshwater source, though water quality can vary with seasonal conditions and should not be assumed safe without testing. The water from Pine Barrens springs is typically low in mineral content and slightly acidic due to the sandy, iron-rich soils of the region — characteristics that many visitors find give the water a notably fresh, soft taste. The area around Washington Township offers additional outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, kayaking on nearby Pine Barrens waterways, and wildlife observation. The Pine Barrens are home to rare species including the Pine Barrens tree frog and curly grass fern. Visitors should be prepared for sandy, unpaved roads and limited signage in the more remote sections of the region. Mosquitoes and ticks can be prevalent in warmer months, so plan accordingly.