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New Jersey

Looking for the best chillin in New Jersey? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Jersey. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near New Jersey

  • Paterson, New Jersey

    Explore the Great Falls of the Passaic River

    3.2
    Getting to the Great Falls of the Passaic River is a relatively straight shot. It is located off exit 57B on Route 80 which is also accessible from highway 287. Parking is located on McBride Avenue across the street from the park's welcome center.Typically during autumn park rangers offer 45 to 1...
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  • Califon, New Jersey

    Explore the Ken Lockwood Gorge

    4.3
    One of New Jerseys best kept secrets has to be the Ken Lockwood Gorge. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and nature packs place then this area is perfect for you. You can access the gorge from two different points, either by driving down Raritan River Rd. and parking right before you ...
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  • Stockton, New Jersey

    Hike to the Hidden Lockatong Waterfall

    3.7
    2 mi
    If you're on Kingwood Stockton Road, there will be a dirt road with a Lockatong Nature Preserve sign before it (going north on Kingwood Stockton Road, the sign will be on your left. If you're driving south, the sign will be on your right). Just drive all the way until the end of the dirt road and...
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  • Columbia, New Jersey

    Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail

    4.6
    2.3 mi / 1115 ft gain
    This is a short but strenuous hike to a bluff overlooking the Delaware River and surrounding mountains and hills. The summit makes a good spot for a picnic or just for relaxing and watching the sunset. The entire hike also has plenty of beautiful photo ops, especially in the Fall. Find the trailh...
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  • Washington Township, New Jersey

    Hike Hacklebarney State Park's Trout Brook Riverbanks

    5.0
    This is a relatively easy hike through Hacklebarney State Park that is great for families with younger children, rock scrambling, photography, and just hanging out in nature. There are two different ways to explore Hacklebarney, either by staying on the packed gravel path or by following the bank...
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  • Closter, New Jersey

    Hike to Huyler's Landing/ Closter Dock Loop

    4.0
    5.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    The easiest way to access this loop hike is by parking at the Palisades State Park Headquarters.  This is just off exit 2 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here is free and it is a short walk down a road to the Closter Dock Trail.  The Closter Dock Trail is more of a wide fire road ...
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  • Ringwood, New Jersey

    Explore Ringwood Manor State Park

    5.0
    1.3 mi
    On my way to the drive-in, I saw a sign for Ringwood Manor estate and wanted to adventure around. The parking is easy and the property was beautiful!As we walked through the estate, we found:a quaint tree foresta small cemetery with headstones hundreds of years olda river with a small waterfall ...
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  • Sandyston, New Jersey

    Explore the Sussex County Sunflower Maze

    5.0
    3 mi
    I stumbled upon the Sunflower Maze by accident when I was driving through NJ and was quickly distracted by the enormous yellow flowers. So of course, I had to check it out! It opens at 9AM and last admission is at 6PM. The maze is only open from around August to October for the flower bloom. 3...
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  • Hopewell, New Jersey

    Hike through the Sourland Mountain Preserve

    5.0
    2.91 mi
    The Sourland Mountain Preserve stretches from Hunterdon County all the way into Somerset County. The trails referenced here are on the southwest side of the preserve in Hunterdon County. They are accessible from an on site parking lot at 233 Rileyville Road in Ringoes NJ.There are several trails ...
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  • Princeton, New Jersey

    Visit the Princeton Battlefield Park Suspension Bridge

    4.8
    0.5 mi
    To find this bridge, you essentially park at the Princeton Battlefield Park and walk all the way down towards the woods (you'll pass an old house if you're going the right way). When you enter the woods there will be a tight trail but it will quickly open up. When it does, you want to take a left...
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  • Columbia, New Jersey

    Hike to Sunfish Pond

    4.5
    7.9 mi / 1150 ft gain
    At the end of the parking lot, cross over the bridge and follow the Appalachian Trail (AT, white blazes) to a V-intersection. Turn right onto Dunnfield Creek Trail (green blazes), which will take you past a few cascades and up to Sunfish Pond. Relax and eat lunch at the pond. When you're ready, t...
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  • Califon, New Jersey

    Bike the Columbia Trail: Califon to High Bridge

    There are multiple places to pick up the Columbia Trail (High Bridge, Califon, Long Valley, Flanders) but this post is for biking or running from Califon to High Bridge and back. The best place to park is at the old town railroad station on, of course, Railroad Ave. You will be able to see the en...
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  • Closter, New Jersey

    Hike Alpine White Trail (Stateline Lookout)

    5.0
    5 mi / -520 ft gain
    Starting at about 520 feet, the White path takes you along the Stateline Lookout which is a small stone building overlooking the Hudson River. The initial descent is your average hike through the woods and across a couple of wooden bridges until you reach the Giant Steps. The Giant Steps take you...
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  • Hopewell Township, New Jersey

    Hike the Baldpate Mountain Loop

    5.0
    1.25 mi
    The parking lot on Pleasant Valley Road provides access to the trailhead for this 1.25 mile loop hike.Starting at the trailhead, take the Ridge Trail (white) going West. The ridge trail is wide and flat, and branches off to many other smaller trails throughout the preserve.After about 0.25 miles...
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  • Weehawken, New Jersey

    Photograph the NYC Skyline from JFK Boulevard East

    The Big Apple. NYC has arguably the best skyline in the world. So, if you are one of the millions of people visiting wouldn't you want to get some photos of the entire skyline to post on social media and show friend & family? Skip the boat and helicopter tour lines (although a cool experience...
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  • Berkeley Township, New Jersey

    Stroll through the Cranberry Bogs at Double Trouble State Park

    4.0
    1.9 mi
    This is a very easy hike, and a great day trip to take if you're looking for something simple and relaxing, but still want beautiful scenery and wildlife.For quick access to the cranberry bog trails, the lot on Double Trouble Road near the Historic Village is where you'll want to start. Entering ...
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