New Jersey has a lot of excellent hiking spots. It's understandable that most of them are in pretty…read morerural areas with tons of room to roam/explore. So when I found out there was a 5.7-mile hike in the immediate vicinity of Bridgewater/Somerville, I was pretty skeptical. This is a pretty chaotic section of the state, with a lot of major highways interconnecting and a mall and heinous traffic circle thrown in for good measure - it's not the first or 100th place I'd think of for a hike. That remains the case. You can't force the design of a hike, and this is a clear example of a situation where you should have had, say, a mile's worth of trails and left it at that. My chum and I came here on Saturday to take advantage of the unseasonably warm early December weather. It was mostly cloudy throughout the hike, but the temperature steadily rose and the sun was largely out by the end. It had been raining pretty steadily the prior day so we were expecting and encountered a lot of mud and some mild rock hopping, but nothing egregious. Both of us opted for running shoes over hiking/trail shoes; it was a LITTLE rockier than I expected and in hindsight I would have gone with the latter for better support, but I didn't suffer any consequences for the decision. Our trek started at the entrance/parking lot off of Newmans Road (spacious, easy to spot with a pretty clean port-a-potty; there were drops on the seat but that's people being animals and not a reflection on the park) following the red trail running roughly parallel to the Washington Valley Reservoir before crossing Chimney Rock Road and heading up and down the orange trail in a quasi loop that runs alongside the East Branch Reservoir before another brief foray on a road (this one Gilbride Rd) and then doing another loop on the yellow trail that goes up to the Chimney Rock Outlook before circling back to Gilbride, at which point you basically complete the prior orange loop and then head back on the other side of the Washington Valley Reservoir to the parking lot. If that sounds overly complicated, you're right. There are two huge issues that mar this hike for me. One is that whoever designed the trails/blazes for this place had no idea what they were doing. Literally every possible trail and offshoot is painted with a blaze, always the same color as the "main" trail. As such, it's incredibly difficult to follow an official hiking itinerary because every fork in the trail has two choices with the same color blaze. Incredibly foolish and short-sighted. We had to VERY carefully stop each time, look at the map in our book AND double-check the GPS/map on the AllTrails app (which I hate doing) just to make sure we were on the right path. There's no reason to put a blaze on literally any walkable route like that; no idea what they were thinking. The other problem is what I alluded to earlier - this is a populated area with minimal room to hike so you end up by definition having to cross and briefly walk alongside busy roads. Chimney Rock was incredibly busy midday on Saturday, and cars were whizzing by us the entire time (the first section was probably about two minutes long, while the second was five minutes - believe me, it felt longer). I'm stunned people don't get hit there, especially since there's not a lot of room off to the side for pedestrians. If you're at the point where you're brainstorming a hiking trail and you can't avoid having the hikers come into contact with moving vehicles, that's probably a clue to scrap the plans. The big selling point of this hike is Chimney Rock, which was apparently a lookout point for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. That's all well and good, but for the money they spent to put up a protective fence and pave the trail here, they couldn't be bothered to maintain the actual rock, which is covered by broken beer bottle glass. And I'm sure General Washington had a much prettier view back in the day than we did; we were treated to the gorgeous scenery of the Stavola Bound Brook Quarry - crushed stones as far as the eye can see! The best part of the hike by far was the last section on the northern side of the Washington Valley Reservoir, and this is the part I'd actually preserve for walking, etc. It definitely helped that the sun was out at this point, but there was a cute bridge and a lot of bird activity. My chum is an avid birdwatcher and will likely be returning to this part with her camera. We also encountered a fallen tree (picture attached) that was taken down by a beaver. Very cool sighting. Head over to Watchung Reservation if you're in the area and want to commune with nature. You may hear the sounds of Route 78 but at least you won't be crossing that highway as part of your hike.

The Washington Valley State Park parking lot is basically a hidden driveway with a small,…read moreinconspicuous sign that suddenly pops up out of nowhere after you've been driving for a while on Newmans Lane. Recommend using GPS to navigate lest you miss the entrance. The park is also accessible from Vosseller Avenue at Millers Lane, though Google Maps will default to Newmans Lane when you chart a route to "Washington Valley State Park". The Newmans Lane entrance seems to be popular with mountain bicyclists and dog walkers. The highlights of this park are the Washington Valley Reservoir and raptor watching in autumn. Otherwise, the trails are pretty low-key (boring even) which make for some relatively quiet walks, which are only interrupted occasionally by the sound of scurrying chipmunks and teenagers jumping into the reservoir in the summer. As another reviewer noted, some of the more remote parts of the trails are not thoroughly blazed, but you should be able find your way even without trail markers. Be sure to grab a park brochure from the wooden bulletin board at the trailhead if you need help navigating. The brochures are also great for swatting away gnats. The red trail has a lot of rocks/gravel and multiple changes in elevation, so you might want to wear shoes with sturdy soles and firm grip. The reservoir does not have a boat ramp but has various trails and rock formations for shoreline fishing (license required, of course). Random trivia: back in 2015, a convicted sex-offender was sighted here fishing before being arrested. With that being said, remember to curb your dog and be sure to leave before the park officially closes 1/2 an hour after sunset.

As always, we enjoy coming to this park. Spring is a great time to take advantage of the many…read morewalking paths and the expansive grounds. The playground is always a hit with the kids, and there are plenty of open grassy areas for frisbee, kicking a soccer ball, or just spreading out for a picnic. There's also a lot to do here: a splash park (in season), a golf course, bike paths, fishing, tennis, pickleball, and bocce. There are pavilions available for parties, along with grills and picnic tables for a BBQ. One of my favorite spots is the Rose Garden. It wasn't open on this visit (the sign noted an April 15 opening), but peak bloom is in June, and it's worth coming back for. Bottom line: A well-maintained park with something for everyone.

Colonial Patk is pretty . It has a Rose Garden. They must not be in season yet because I didnt see…read moremany. A very tranquil green space to relax and enjoy nature. A nice place . I wish there was more to see.

Just enough time for a brief walk. Needed to cross street from parking lot and fear not, you shall…read morebe extremely safe due to the thoughtful and comprehensive system they have which includes people in booths with stop signs, as well as audible warning signs!! The path was beautiful (late October) with statues in the open aired building

Drove 55 mins to visit only to be told saturday you have to reserve parking and they didnt have…read moreanymore spots left. Turned around through parking lot and half the lot was empty... not cool

I grew up near this amazing park and it's always been a special place for me. I played on the…read moreswingsets here as a kid, worked at the Summer Camp here as a teen, and continue to enjoy walking here as an adult. This park has everything--brand new playground equipment for 2022, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, body-weight fitness equipment like parallel bars and a horizontal ladder, paved walking trails through the woods, a pond, and more! The free public bathrooms are inside a building so there's hot and cold running water, flush toilets, light and heat. There are also several water fountains with drinking water. In summer the local theater group offers Plays in the Park at the amphitheater. Most of the park is flat, accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and easy to walk around. There are benches near the pond and a pavilion area with picnic tables. Lots of people bring their dogs here.

PROS This is a very nice park that has a amphitheater, pool, some courts, and walking trails…read more Excellent place to spend time at! CONS: there's no directory anywhere so it's easy to get lost and parking is minimal if the park is jam packed. The amphitheater also has an uncomfortable place to sit since it's on a downhill angle OVERALL: I would love to come back to this park, as long as it's during the right time

I have always love this park and today it felt like the right day to visit despite the cloudy sky!!…read moreI have been here before but it's nothing to visit more than once!! They have picnic tables to eat your lunch or just enjoy the scenery!!

Washington Rock Park is more of a scenic overlook than it is a park and unfortunately you're not…read moregonna find any Hiking Trails or outdoor Picnic Areas with Grills anywhere near here, but it is still a pretty cool Historic New Jersey Landmark plus it was an important part of the Revolutionary War.     In May of 1777 this mountain overlook provided General George Washington's Army a vantage point in order to see the British encampments below which solidified an edge for any future troop engagements.    Long story short, the mountain's sheer height and location made it the perfect observation site and natural defensible fort. Definitely worth checking out if you ever find yourself in this immediate area. Come And Get Your History On!!

Still well maintained garden and really helpful staff. Not-so stroller friendly due to someplace…read morehaving steps. Pathway is made of cobbles. Restroom is clean and smells good.

Owned by Leonard J Buck and designed by Zenon Shreiber, this exquisite garden is a mere 2.5 miles…read moredetour from I-78 off I-287. It's a quick excursion under an hour. It's a must on a nice weather day if your road trip passes through this section of I-78. There are ponds, bridges, streams, hills, rock gardens, a water fountain, a gazebo, well maintained trails, and of course, flowers and plants throughout the garden. The garden also sports a variety of terrains, many ups and downs, meadows and hills. My favorite spot is the bridge by the lilies right off the Lower Lot Path, and the nearby redwood tree. I'm not a fan of the water fountain though in the Lower Pond; I thought it's too low and utilitarian looking. Parking is very limited. There is a lower lot for additional parking but that's also very limited. On the day of our visit, we had to resort to roadside parking. Admission is free but donation is suggested, $6 per adult and $3 for seniors and students. Definitely bring insect repellent. Sun protection won't be absolutely necessary as there are lots of shades. I brought a sun umbrella on this bright sunny day but didn't end up using it.

There's nothing like a early Saturday morning walk at the lake. Such a lovely scenery.read more

Have you played Disc Golf yet? Most people I ask say they'd never heard of it. I started when I was…read morea freshman in college at UM in College Park Maryland, rumored to be the first Disc course on the east coast at the time (1982). I've played all over the country now. Harry Dunham is a beautiful hilly park. Great for walking, picnic Pavillion, soccer fields. But twisting through the park is one of the best disc golf courses I've ever played and I refer to it as my home course. You can easily play 9 holes in 90 minutes or less. Warmer weather can get a little backed up but not bad. Give it a try! You can play with any disc you're comfortable with but there are hundreds of professional disc companies styles and weights. After you play a bit you'll notice you like certain throws and conditions. I'm hoping to bring more Disc Golf reviews to Yelp. It's a great activity for the whole family. Playing once a week is awesome exercise. The cool thing about Harry Dunham is it's easy to get to, quick to play, diverse holes, and you could easily play a few times a week and not get bored. Come play disc golf at Harry Dunham Park or one of the dozens of other courses in the area.

I'm actually not the biggest fan-- I don't come here all that often-- but, objectively speaking,…read moreit's a nice park that definitely has a lot to offer. It's not far from where I live, and I used to jog here occasionally with a friend (she lived within a half mile of it). However, she got married, moved away, and I personally prefer Mountain Park, a mile or 2 up the road in Warren (no Yelp entry on it, so I haven't been able to write about it), when I do a solo jog (or a "fast walk" these days; my knees aren't what they used to be). If I were being purely subjective, it might rate a star lower because I come here so rarely now. But, in the interests of being objective-- well, its got a lot to offer. I can't imagine anyone not liking it. There's ample parking if you drive here. There are a couple of athletic fields, there's a playground for kids, there's a covered pavilion or gazebo (actually, if I remember right, I think there are 2) where cooking can be done and that I think can be rented out for groups. Evidently, there's also an indoor facility that's available, although I've never paid much attention to it. At the opposite end of the park, there's a roller/hockey rink set-up. When I was last "fast walking" in the park, a fairly large Asian group was having some sort of dance class/exercise session there, which was interesting to observe if not actually participate in. Throughout the park are benches to take a breather on, or, if you're with someone, have a conversation on, or maybe just to sit on and "people watch," if that's your thing. Ever hear of "disc golf?" No? I haven't either, but the park has the necessary set-up for it, if it's your thing. It does have its fair share of adherents, judging by the people participating in it during the spring/summer months. They have a nice 9/11 memorial in the center area of the park. My favorite aspect of it all is the wooded area that surrounds much of the park; it has a nice, well-tended path (paved with wood chips) winding its way through at least a portion of it. When I was last here, the sun was setting with a haunting beauty, its rays filtering down through the trees and becoming lost in the thick foliage of the forest itself as twilight deepened, and it was like being in nature's grand cathedral--- I'm essentially an agnostic, but if I do have anything within me that could quality as religious feelings, I have them when I'm out in the midst of such ethereal loveliness and splendor. I guess it's a little TOO popular, in my humble opinion; it always seems a little too crowded for my taste (then again, that could be dependent upon what time of day you go here, or what day of the week/weekend you go). Sometimes you have to dodge kids barreling down the paths on their bicycles, or jump to avoid a "projectile" coming at your head from one of the overly-enthusiastic "disc golf" guys. But, this is, objectively or subjectively, a nice park, and it offers a lot for people with families, groups, the athletically inclined, or those who might just want to take a meandering, meditative walk through a pleasant rural setting by themselves. I'm not entirely sure who Harry Dunham is (or was), but he has a nice park named after him. We should all be so lucky!