Rockaway, New Jersey

This is a fun hike that is great for the entire family. The trails are really well maintained and Tripod Rock is a pretty amazing feature to check out. You can hike to the rock and follow your steps back to the parking lot for a 3 mile round trip or continue along the trail for a 4.4 mile loop. I...

The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn...

The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...

Nestled within the more urban and suburban communities in Northern New Jersey, you can escape back to nature at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The name says it all - this place is the perfect opportunity to get up close to a variety of different wildlife that call this protected land home....

Norvin Green State Forest is one of the best-kept secrets in the New Jersey Highlands — a rugged, rewarding stretch of the Ramapo Mountains that rewards hikers with rocky summits, cascading waterfalls, stream crossings, and sweeping ridge views. The 8-mile loop with 1,538 feet of elevation gain i...

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...

Mills Reservation is over 150 acres of wooded area located off of Normal Ave. near the Cedar Grove reservoir. Parking space is limited due to the small size but there is another hidden lot towards the back if you make a right out of the parking lot and then the first right turn onto Highland Ave....

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...

From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn ri...

To start, I recommend coming in the early morning or afternoon, as the parking lot fills up with people hiking, fishing or going for a walk with their family. I usually get my luckiest before 9. This park is as relaxing or exciting as you want to make it. Here is a good map to use/ print out. We ...

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...

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 waterf...

Bearfort Mountain is a great weekend morning hike that borders NJ and NY. Parking can be tricky as the entrance to the lot looks like it is Greenwood Lake Marina's boat storage area. Once parked, find the trail entrance at the top of the little hill and continue to the blue on white marked trail....

White Lake Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Hardwick Township, New Jersey. The White Lake Loop in New Jersey is a relatively easy 3.8-mile loop trail located near Hardwick Township. This trail offers a peaceful hike through wooded areas and around White Lake, with sceni...

The Celery Farm Mayor Fitzpatrick Nature Trail in Allendale, New Jersey, is a peaceful, scenic retreat for birdwatchers, hikers, and nature lovers. This 1-mile loop trail winds through a 107-acre freshwater wetland preserve, offering opportunities to spot over 240 bird species, deer, turtles, a...