The New Jersey of pop culture is a place burdened by oozing toxic waste. It's smelly, dirty and generally ruined.

While we certainly do not lack for polluted soil and water, the real New Jersey can claim a wealth of greenery and clean, pristine landscapes.

"What people don't realize is that we have a lot of these gems," says Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, which runs about 200 hikes per year. "There's so many cool little places."

As we celebrate Earth Day, here's a look at some of Jersey's natural wonders.

1. Apple Pie Hill, Tabernacle

"All you see is a sea of green and the casinos in Atlantic City but everything in front of you is just part of the Pinelands," Tittel says of this Pine Barrens perch in Wharton State Forest, which allows for a view of the casino town to the east and Philadelphia to the west.

2. Buttermilk Falls, Layton

Another of Jersey's natural scenes named after a food. Climb the stairs to the top and watch the cascading show, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

3. Delaware Water Gap

Speaking of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, though park headquarters are in Pennsylvania, a large portion of the preserved land is in New Jersey, and boasts 70,000 acres of open space.

4. Chikahoki Falls, Bloomingdale

Part of the 5,416-acre Norvin Green State Forest in Passaic County, Chikahoki Falls is another watery wonder.

5. The Flat Brook, Walpack

"You think you're in the Shenandoahs," Tittel says of this Sussex County stream and its surrounding area, a haven for fly fishing.

6. Fortescue

This community, located in Downe on the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County, is also known for its fishing and is sometimes called the weakfish capital of the world.

7. The Great Swamp

One of two federally designated wilderness areas in the state, this Morris County landmark became the first such region to receive the designation within the Department of Interior, under the Wilderness Act of 1964, starting with 2,600 acres and eventually encompassing about 7,800 acres.

8. Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

This is the other federally designated wilderness area in New Jersey. A multitude of birds can be seen in the 47,000-acre region of South Jersey coast, including ospreys, ibises and peregrine falcons.

9. Inspiration Point, Wanaque Reservoir

Located on the northern side of Wanaque Reservoir, this view -- also called Suicide Ledge -- from Governor Mountain in Ringwood is a standby for Tittel. "I go there when I want to get my batteries recharged," he says. "That's one of my favorite places."

High point NJ .. So peaceful up here !!! pic.twitter.com/hH0PMvRUmt -- lauren wechter (@xxlaurenxx0022) January 7, 2016

10. Kittatinny Ridge/High Point, Montague

Kittatinny Ridge is home to High Point State Park -- the highest point in New Jersey (1,803 feet above sea level).

11. Lake Sonoma, West Milford

Tittel says this Passaic County lake is the epitome of quiet. "You don't even see a house, you don't even hear a car and you're 40 minutes from Manhattan," he says.

12. Mullica River

Another way to see the Pinelands is by kayak or canoe. Paddle the Mullica River from Atsion to Pleasant Mills.

13. Musconetcong River

This river flows 45 miles from Lake Hopatcong in Sussex and Morris counties through Warren County -- another hot spot for fly fishing.

14. Tripod Rock

Tripod Rock is a glacial erratic -- transported by a glacier -- on Pyramid Mountain in Kinnelon, where one big boulder sits atop three smaller stones. Right nearby, a pair of so-called "solstice stones" give the site the nickname "New Jersey's Stonehenge."

15. Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, Newfield and Buena

This 767-acre refuge, available to visiting humans by appointment only, is dedicating to preserving land and wildlife in the Pinelands.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.