In the summer, I avoid this place like the plague, but in the fall and winter, it is a bird…read moreenthusiast paradise.

I think the people of Allendale may be trying to keep this place hidden, but I rode my bike past,…read moresaw it and now the secret is out! This is a big beautiful park with a lot to do. Plenty of parking and open fields for you to walk or picnic. There's a a lot of picnic tables, a picnic table and a few grills. There is a memorial, soccer fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a playground. The best part of the lake is probably the lake. I didn't go in but there were a lot of people in the water and on the beech. There were lifeguards and a few docks. Check out their website for specifics on hours, membership or permits.

Nice park for the beginner or more experienced hiker or just someone who wants to have some peace…read moreand quiet outdoors for a couple of hours. The parking lot is big and there is a bathroom, which is appreciated. I took a look at the trail map before I left to find one of a decent length, so check out options, but the trails are well-marked. Once you get past the main train next to the lake, you can find yourself pretty alone except for another occasional hiker, but you can vibe with nature, see a waterfall, and just breathe in the fresh air. Some of the trails are long, but I paced one that was only a couple of miles and still got some nice scenery and a lot of steps in. It's great this park isn't too far from the urban areas of Northern NJ and there are many trail options so you can visit again and experience something new. There's also a sign for trout fishing if that's your thing. Check it out if you want to get away for the day.

This was my first time and what a blast! What I love about…read morehiking is that there's so many cool and magical places that you can't get to by car. For decades I've driven up 287 and wondered what was in all the hills and mountains and today I finally got to see. I met up with my local plus size hiking group for our last hike of the year and Ramapo was a first for all of us despite being longtime New Jerseyans. We did the Macmillan trail and clocked about 3.5 miles total. We went the long trail around the reservoir and then dipped back down the waterfall trail. Very thankful we did it that way - I think all the stairs on the waterfall trail would have been treacherous given the conditions and a bit demoralizing. Getting the big hills out the way first and enjoying the lake made the waterfall that much sweeter. So many dogs and kind people on the trail. Trash was almost non-existent. Tons of rocks and logs to sit a spell - but at below freezing temps we kept it moving lol. Highlights: -ample parking (bc it was cold) -giant rocks -waterfalls -exposed slabs -gorgeous vistas -the swan!!

They need better crowd control and communication regarding the park closing. It's awful how…read morecongested the entire area becomes on the weekends. Online "park full" and electric signage on major highways People need to understand Closed is Closed and move on - you're not special, no accommodations, go home. Try next weekend and get there earlier. SMH - as I just drove by area after sitting in traffic for 10 mins.

Today I had one of the worst experiences at Darlington Lake with my 9-year-old son…read more He wanted to try the splash area, so I bought the tickets. As soon as we got there, he went into the water and sat down--without a life vest. I calmly tried to explain to him that it was against the rules and he needed to wear a vest because it could be dangerous. Suddenly, a lifeguard started yelling at us to get out of the water. I told him my son has autism and asked for some patience, but he kept yelling. Then a second lifeguard began screaming even louder. People around us started staring while the shouting continued, and my son began to get very agitated. I couldn't hold it together--I broke down crying. Thankfully, an angel came over to help. He spoke gently to my son, and my son told him it was our first time there. This kind man helped calm him down and encouraged him to get out of the water--and he did. (I later found out that he works with children with special needs at the Special Olympics, and I'm incredibly grateful for his help.) I told my son, "Let's just go," and promised him we'd try again another day--but honestly, I don't plan to go back. I cried the whole way home. My son just wanted to enjoy the splash pad, but I couldn't handle another situation like that. I absolutely do not recommend this place. This should never have happened. My son has severe anxiety, and two years ago he went into catatonia. Only in the last few months have we started going out again. Today was supposed to be a small, brave step forward--but it turned into a deeply traumatic experience instead.

Be aware: Locals Only. Beautiful local park, very well kept and pretty walking trail.read more

Great place to go hiking. Wear your rubber boots and you can go walk through the shallow parts of…read morethe glen. If you prefer the dry trail overlooking the glen that is pretty also.

This is a beautifully maintained nature preserve with walking paths, trails, kayaking/water…read moreboarding, and a picnic area. There is no cost to visit here and it is usually quiet. The flat trail is stroller friendly, very scenic with plenty of benches and picnic tables for resting and eating. There are trails (one which apparently leads to a beautiful waterfall) but not able to access with a stroller. Bring your own trash bag to take with you as there are no garbage cans. You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself. The views of the water were gorgeous, and the boys enjoyed throwing rocks into the water and watching other people kayak and water board. You can bring your own kayak or rent one in the summer. CJ loved the little houses made of sticks all over the preserve. They are a great opportunity for pretend play. Will go back? There's something about this place The views were beautiful, the preserve itself was so clean and well maintained, and plenty to do with the kids!

This place is very nice. Good easy path around the lake that's clean and recently trimmed. There…read moreare benches along the path and trash bins. There's a small parking lot there and a dock for you to bring your own kayak or rent one of their own

Beautiful nature walk and nice trails. The kids loved it very informative about the wildlife.read more

Beautiful park to see fall colors in October or the prettiest flowers in the spring. There are…read moremultiple parking lots so plenty of parking. The website has an interactive map if you get lost. I walked around the whole park in about an hour, it's not too big. Leashed dogs are allowed!

Not much going on here. It's not much of an attraction but if you live in town or around and like a…read morenice walk and learning a little history it's a nice place. I'm all for preservation of any lake and allowing wildlife to flourish. There's a little lake that you can walk around and probably fish in it and there's a couple picnic tables. The small building that is next to the parking lot is a little museum preserved as the barber shop it was.

Zabriskie Pond is basically a fishing pond in the center of town. It's largely bordered by private…read moreresidential housing, but there is an area to park and access the public half of the park for fishing. Growing up I came here often to catch small sunnies and try for the larger carp in the middle (though I never saw anyone land one). I don't think it's ever meant to be used for swimming or boating, it's just too tiny for that! There is also a historic barbershop on the premises which is neat to peer inside. It's not the greatest pond in the world, but it's a nice place to fish with young kids on a summer day.

I've covered all the grounds, and it's an absolutely lovely park. Starting with a bridge, it opens…read moreup to a nice size lake. For the kids, 2 full slide and monkey bars. But, in addition, there is basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, 4 handball courts, a a baseball field, and a soccer field...and a few trails...each is surrounding by the most lovely tall and skinny trees. Parking is limited on Pascack Road (~3 cars, the main road), so enter on Grotke for a larger parking lot. Word.

Dose anyone know the distance walking around the park on the paved trail? It's a great walk just…read morenot sure when a mile is.

This is a cute park, but VERY hard to get to. The signs and GPS will point you to a cemetery. I was…read morevery confused when I first arrived, until a local directed me to go through the cemetery and find it behind the municipal building.

Love coming to this hidden little park. It's great for walking, ruining, or just taking in the…read morepretty sky. There is a short little path through the woods too. Perfect place to get your steps or run in if your looking for an all flat terrain.

No celery is being grown, it's actually a nature preserve. There's no dogs or bikes allowed…read more Sections are fenced off to keep you on the trail. The trail is about a mile and goes around the lake. Some of it is boarded and much of it is in the shade. If it rained recently, than it may be muddy, otherwise sneakers or shoes are fine. It stays level and is good for elderly or kids. There's a lot of benches and a few lookouts as you go around. The preserve is exceptionally clean. I saw one plastic bottle, so I picked it up.

Today it is called the Celery Farm mainly a result of the fact that in 1888 Swiss emigrant Henry J…read more Appert and his wife Ella bought the 107 acre-property and converted the land which was an excavated peat bog into a farm which grew mainly celery and onions. The land has a rich history has seen this parcel of land transition from a glacial land to a peat bog, to a farm and now a nature preserve. The Wolf Clan of the Lenni Lenape gather here to hunt the abundant game in the area. Later in colonial times Founding Father John Fell took possession of the. In the 1080's the borough of Allendale bought the track of land and converted it into a nature preserve. The Celery Farm is an important site for migratory birds and thus bird watchers. There are several areas where birds can be observed including a raised platform overlooking the small lake. There are trails which run about a mile through the preserve. The trails are very wet in spots after any kind of precipitation. Roots and rocks jut up along the path making hiking uncomfortable. When I visited there were numerous hikers who wore masks and observed social distancing. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.