Oakland, New Jersey

Mount Beacon is a very popular trail along the Hudson River, and for good reason. It offers a good workout, fantastic views for both sunrise and sunset (and of course the time in between), a recently rebuilt fire tower, and all with incredibly easy access right on the edge of a lively town. The ...

Starting in the quaint town of Beacon there are a couple of options for hikes of varying difficulty. From the station the walk is about 1.5 miles to the trail heads, alternatively if you choose to stay the night at Malouf's Mountain Sunset Campground you can arrange for the host to meet you, take...

There are some great view points along this route.  Start from the Mount Beacon Park trailhead parking area.  This leads to the Casino Trail (red markers).  The trail climbs steeply to some old ruins of a casino.  Most of what remains is only the brick structure housing the mechanics for a trolle...

Long Dock and Dennings Point are two of the most popular parks in Beacon, that just so happen to be connected by a train track turned trail. Plenty of parking is available at Long Dock, and its a perfect spot to picnic, launch your kayak into the Hudson, or cast your line hoping to reel in the bi...

Once parked, enter the trailhead and follow the trail down Dingmans Creek to the first set of falls. Try taking pictures from off the trail to the right of these falls. Continue on to the second waterfall and again step off the trail to take pictures from the right side of the waterfall, if you d...

Its a great place to explore as it has a beautiful calm lake especially in the fall, the reflection of the water and the awesome colors are unbelievable. Its a short hike but you certainly could go further up. Parking is free by the road, hike towards the lake about a mile or so. The sound of bi...

Beaver Pond is a small body of water created by a dam that was constructed during the days of iron ore mining in the area.  The pond is crystal clear and has a wonderful tree line right on the water.  The best time to visit here is early morning in the fall.  With the leaves changing color they m...

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 ...

Fishkill Ridge is a strenuous but rewarding hike, and one of the less known areas in the Hudson Valley. The parking area is at the very end of Sunnyside Road in Beacon, along with the information board at the trailhead. The red trail leaves the lot and will take you up to the first peak on the ri...

Hudson Highlands Overlook Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Beacon, New York.

This loop trail is moderately rated and reaches a total elevation gain of approximately 1,183 feet. It’s located in the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, which spans roughly 4,315 acres. It is Westchester County’s largest park and includes roughly 35 plus miles of hiking trails to explore. The Ward...

King's Chamber and Moose Hill Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Carmel, New York.

Bushkill Falls offers visitors a choice of 4 different trails to explore. All trails are very well maintained, making this trip safe for the whole family. The most rewarding trail is the Red Trail. This route brings you to all 8 of Bushkill's waterfalls. Taking the trail counter-clockwise, you w...

Cheesequake Yellow and Blue Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Old Bridge, New Jersey.

This trail is accessible year round and features water views of the Long Island Sound with beach access. The trail is a popular spot for walking, biking, fishing, and even bird watching. But if you’re not quite in the mood to get your steps in, you can use the small beach to sit and chat with a f...

This is more of a stroll than a hike, which is nice because you can add it to another hike in the same day if you're in the area. From the dirt parking lot take the trail off to the right. Just stay straight and in about 15 minutes you'll see a huge fire tower (hard to miss). Feel free to climb a...