For what it's worth, this review specifically pertains to a rainy winter hike - I can't comment on most of the park amenities near the playgrounds, playing fields, etc. And I'm also willing to acknowledge that I likely would have felt more favorably disposed toward this park if we had been there in better weather that didn't give off massive Pacific NW vibes. The dreary conditions were not the park's fault. Loantaka was the site of the annual first of the year hike with a group of noble chums. Interestingly, there was a rival "official" hike being held at the same time by the Boy Scouts of America - their social media announcements (complete with map) ahead of time were very helpful in locating a decent parking area for my compatriots. I don't think I have the ability on Yelp to review the BSA, but their scoutmaster was a gem and several of my chums purchased commemorative pins for the event at their little kiosk. Also, my dad was an Eagle Scout and can start a bonfire in about 30 seconds, so that's something. For the purposes of our adventure, we ended up walking 3.13 miles (assuming an Apple watch was correct, which I'm always dubious about), an out-and-back from the parking lot off Loantaka Way to Kitchell Lake just across the aptly named Kitchell Road. The parking lot was easy to access with plenty of spaces, though it was a bit more crowded by the time we were done. It was very pleasing to see several port-a-potties nearby, and I can report from firsthand experience that they were relatively clean, though the toilet seat in mine was wet and required my first squatting situation of 2022. I could breathe comfortably though, so I think you take that compromise if you can get it. The trails are very well maintained - we were exclusively on paved ones, though it looked like there were a few dirt paths that went off them as well, all of which looked tidy and drama-free. That said, it would have been nice if there were more markers/signage giving us a better idea of where we were. It would be difficult to get authentically lost in this area (I imagine it would take roughly 15 minutes to accidentally stumble across a county highway), but it would have been helpful for our orientation. This year's hike featured an Honorary Young Pup of 6, who was able to handle the adventure with aplomb (and enjoyed spotting the metal tags on the trees). There were also many pooches on the premises, and virtually all seemed to be doodle mixes of some sort - very little variety in this area of Jersey, apparently. If you're looking for decent photo ops, this is not where I'd go; this is a park that I'd use exclusively for very mild cardio/fresh air. There are a few streams on the journey, but nothing to write home about. The pond was pleasant enough, with abundant waterfowl in the distance, but it's hard to get whipped up about scenery that looks like it's straight out of Taylor Swift's Folklore album photo shoot. read more

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Followed the gps and it told me to park on the side of the road but there was a sign that said you couldn't park there. I played it safe and looped around the park and noticed that there's actually a parking lot located on Loantaka Way. First time I came here was in the Spring of 2018 and by the summer I noticed they installed bikes now. You'll have to download the app and follow the instructions to unlock it. Nice clean well maintained park. What I love most about this place is that it's shaded!!!! Given the summer heat, this is the perfect place to take a stroll. read more

This park encompasses a large area in Morris County NJ. One of my favorite places in this park is Kitchell Pond. During the summer, it's jammed with groups having parties, but in the off season, it's a quiet place to walk or just sit and enjoy the view. read more

Beautiful park. Haven't been in years. Brought back great memories. When I was in college many years ago my friends and I would take a break to visit this park. It was very peaceful and we always had a good time. Would bring lunch and relax for a few hours. I plan on visiting again now that I'm older. read more

The hiking trails here were on the easy side which worked out well because I had the kiddos with me. The hiking app that we had said there are over 8 miles of trails, but the one that we walked wasn't that long at all. My main complaint is that the trails are a bit confusing, because we didn't see any maps anywhere. There were many sections where you had to choose between going right or left, and we had no idea which to select. I think that this is more like a stroll than a hike. The views weren't great unfortunately, but it was pretty relaxing. read more

Both a nature reserve and a public park, Loantaka "place of cool water" has three trail heads. The Yellow Trail can be picked up on South Street near the Seaton Stables. There you will find a crushed limestone trail for horses and a macadam trail for bikers, joggers, roller bladders and walkers. There is also a children's playground, softball and soccer field, fitness circuit and picnic area with tables and BBQ grill. The restrooms are modern and clean. The Kitchel Road trail head also has picnic facilities, a pond for fishing and a dam for water overflow. The Blue Trail is in the middle of 5 miles of mature trails while the Red Trail on Loantaka Way is only macadam. Hiking trails can be short or up to 6 miles long. The trails are mostly flat and often completely shaded.. Parking lots are available at each trail head with a water fountain and restroom facilities. The 570 acre park also has cross-country skiing opportunities in the winter. A map of the park can be printed out on-line at the website. In the summer the park offers a Zagster bike share. You can pickup and drop off at anyone of the three trailheads, South Street, Kitchel Road or Loantaka Way. The unlock, ride and drop off program can be accessed on their website. bike.zagster.com/morrismoves. read more

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Good, maintained trails. I love to run through the trails and into the park. Always a decent amount of people around so you don't feel alone in the woods, but not too crowded where you don't feel like you're in nature. read more

Scenic woodsy park with amazing bike trails spanning from Morristown to Madison. The trails are paved and mostly flat. Great for family bike rides. Went on a Sunday afternoon and there was a good amt of ppl walking/running/biking. Perhaps better to come super early. read more

Great path with a combination of paved and gravel paths to accommodate all needs for bikers l, walkers and runners. It's a very well maintained path with street markings and mileage on most intersections. Along the path there's benches to enjoy the outdoors, along with restrooms and ball fields. Plenty of parking! read more

Loantaka Park - One of the couple bathrooms around the path! - Parks Near Me - Morristown, New Jersey

Loantaka Brook Reservation is a linear park that stretches from Morris Township to Chatham Township. The park features 9.9 miles of well-maintained paved and unpaved trails meandering through the woods alongside (and over) the Loantaka Brook and the natural gas pipeline easement. The trails, best described as 'easy', accommodate a range of physical activities ranging from a casual stroll, run, or bicycle ride on a paved, blacktop path to cross-country skiing or horseback riding on an unpaved, packed gravel path. All of the trails are mostly flat and ideal for families with young children or those just out for a casual stroll in the woods. The park features four distinct sections -- connected to each other via the paved path -- which can be enjoyed individually or as a whole: (1) the South Street area (adjacent to the Seaton Hackney Stables), with a children's playground, softball diamonds, a picnic shelter with charcoal grill, restroom facilities, and parking for the trailhead; (2) the Kitchell Pond area, with softball diamonds, a picnic shelter with charcoal grill, restroom facilities, a lake for fishing, and parking for the trailhead; (3) the Loantaka Way area, with parking for the trailhead; and (4) the Helen Hartley Jenkins Woods, with the least trafficked section of the paved path winding through the woods to the end of the trail in Chatham Township. The park also features a connection to the 1.2 mile-long loop gravel path in the Giralda Farms Preserve across Woodland Avenue in Chatham Township. There is no fee to use the park or parking lots; picnic shelters and ballfields can be reserved for a nominal fee through the Morris County Park Commission. read more

Loantaka Park - Parks Near Me - Morristown, New Jersey

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Nice place to take a walk with my jogging stroller.. Not so good for bike riding narrow paths Off trails not well marked could easily get lost read more

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Clean, paved pathway perfect for strollers and biking. Be on the lookout for creatures - you may see a fox or deer! Plenty of parking and a playground for kids to enjoy after a stroll through the park. read more

This is a wonderful walking park. No matter how warm it is outside, it is always a little cooler here. There are benches along the paths and multiple routes to take. You can stroll by a horse farm which is always a treat if the horses are out. You can stay on the paved walkways or go through the woods on the rustic paths. This is great for all ages. Tip: be careful of the bicycle riders, they are a little fast. Bring some water along as well and enjoy nature. read more

The park has 8 miles loop of paved trail that is perfect for biking, running or any other outside activity. It's great for beginner bikers as there are no steep hills, the trail is pretty flat. If you are advanced biker, you can ride off the road by the park. It looks like there are groups of people who get together in the park and then bike on the side of the road together. There are several parking lots on different sides of the park, so it's never a problem to find parking. There are several baseball and soccer fields in the park so you can see people playing at night. The park gets very crowded on weekends especially in the afternoon. read more

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Love, love this park. It's not quite a park as its more a walking/biking trail. Although there are always people around you don't feel like it's crowded. The trails are super safe and clean. The scenery is serine and tranquil. Def a good spot for a stroll as there are a few different routes you can take. Parking at the main entrance is ample but does fill up fast. Enjoy! read more

Heavily domesticated nature, Loantaka park and reservation is two parts paved bike trail, one part gravel walking and equestrian path, and one part gas pipeline! On busy days the bikers on the paved path and the dogs roaming off leash make for challenges, on quiet days it's very nice. Also rollerblade and wheelchair friendly, and there are a few benches along the way. Two gazebos are available for rent from the Morris County Parks commission: one at the western end of the park where it meets South Street, and one at the eastern end of the park where it meets Kitchell Road. Also offers bathrooms and a great playground at the South Street end. read more

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I came here to take a long walk with a friend this past Sunday, the trail was busy with children on bikes and scooters and runners with dogs. Even though there were a few baseball games going on and a lot of people out for the day, we were able to find parking almost right away. The path is a wide paved trail ideal for bike riding and strollers. I would not consider the trail to be a hike, at all, but it was certainly nice to get some air and enjoy the nice weather. Next time I come here I would like to explore the rest of the trail on a bike. read more

Loantaka Park - My local bike path - Parks Near Me - Morristown, New Jersey

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great local park with plenty of walking and or biking paths plenty of little areas to take in nature and take photos read more

Loantaka Park - Parks Near Me - Morristown, New Jersey

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Beautiful trail and scenery. The only qualms I have with this park is that there's no garbage cans around so you often see poop bags scattered across the trail and the bathrooms are never open. read more

I love this park for walking/running. You can build a variety of routes from one to six miles on the paths and trails here, almost all of which are well tended and beautifully shaded. Late in summer wild rose canes will narrow the trails and scratch you if you're not paying attention, but if you stay on the paths, this is a marvelous place to run/walk/take the dog/kid(s). The nearby Watchung Reservation is better if you like occasionally dense walking/hiking trails; but for smooth blacktop paths for cyclists, parents with baby strollers, runners/walkers and folks with canes/wheelchairs, you can't beat Loantaka. The only reason I don't rate this a five-star is the small--but significant--proportion of cyclists who either can't control their bikes or don't feel they need to. (I said "small proportion," pro-cycling bigots, so back off until you get the dog- and kid-killers in your midst under control.) As long as you are aware that pedestrians can, at any time, be mowed down by some lycra-clad, ad-emblazoned speed freak who will give you/yours exactly zero warning of impact from behind, it's a great park. If you're enjoying Loantaka, please be nice to the responsible cyclists and to the cycling parents who use the paths to teach their kids to ride responsibly! They are NOT the problem; they are the solution. read more

It's a nice park with multiple entrance and only 5 minutes from downtown area. There are also different trails, including a paved road in case you want to bring a stroller. There are some benches to take a seated when you are walking, it's relatively even terrain, about 4 miles radius. On the weekends, pretty busy filled with people walking their dogs, biking or hiking. read more

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Great place for a walk with kids and/or dogs. Easy flat paved walking path where you can ride a bike or push a stroller--even saw an elderly woman using a rolling walker. There are lots of people so you don't feel nervous like you are isolated in the woods all alone. It was perfect for me on my own with my son and dog. Also has a nice playground (currently blocked off for the pandemic) and a super nice big field for kicking around a ball or something sporty. Some picnic tables to sit at and benches along the path for a rest. It was just what I was looking for. Parking is currently limited though--people were waiting for spots to open up because half of the lot on South Street was closed. read more

This is my "go to" hike with the wife and pup. Fun for biking on a paved path or walking. Nice people and beautiful trails to explore. It never gets boring with plenty of healthy wildlife. Here is the trick, in the summer there are mosquitos everywhere. So I recommend riding bikes during the warmer months and walking for the cooler ones. Enjoy!! read more

I've been going to Loantaka Park since I was a kid. There are two entrances, one far away and one closer. Uh. Ok, looking at the map... one is on Loantaka Way just after you make a left from Shunpike. You will see a picturesque pond (private property) on the left and after just a couple of houses on the right, the parking lot. The other entrance is from Woodland Ave, make a left onto Kitchell Rd. I can't think of any landmarks, but it is a bit easy to miss so drive slowly. That one is the bigger parking lot and you get the immediate payoff of seeing the lake. The first entrance I mentioned on the Chatham side has a smaller lot and a field. A third parking lot is on South Street by the Seaton Hackney Stables-- you can see the horses in the distance. There is a small playground there, and an outdoor fitness gym that I have never used because you would need to bring some wipes or damp rags to clean the dusty bars. Loantaka Park is good for biking when there aren't a lot of people. It is only about three miles, however the car free riding is very relaxing. On weekends it can get pretty busy, so I wouldn't bike then, unless it's early in the morning. It is mostly good for a walk during the weekend. I never know whether to say hi to people here. Some people say hi and some just don't respond. If I don't say hi to anyone, only about one in twenty people will say hi to me. If I say hi to people, maybe one of five will say hi back. Just a little sociological data. read more

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Very nice huge park. Beautiful lake that you can sit and relax at. The paths are mostly in what looks like forest but it's cool because there is paved roads mostly everywhere you walk. It's a very relaxing and beautiful park. I have been here to run and have very much enjoyed it. It doesn't get too crowded, but it may be easy to get lost so pay attention to which way you are walking. I do suggest coming with a friend and not walking after dark. Never know what or who can be lurking in the forests! Also wear good shoes for walking, otherwise you may get your nice shoes dirty or get hurt if wear open toed shoes or sandals! read more

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Loantanka is the perfect park for an easy bike ride, walk, run, or walk with a stroller. The trails are paved or at least well compacted gravel which work well for wheeled conveyances. The paths are nice and long too, so you can set a distance as you like. They also loop back and forth a bit. There's also lots of parking at a few spots along the trails. read more

This is a great place to run, walk, take pictures, explore. Always packed on a nice day with friendly people.

A pretty park with 3 paved bike/walking trails. There are lots of people who work nearby and come walking on their lunch break. The longest trail is under 2 miles. Most of the path is shaded so you won't be overheated in the summer. I think the best time to come would be in the fall to see foliage. A bit boring in terms of biking, as the scenery is the same and trails are short. read more

Excellent park for family biking. Completely flat in most parts, well-paved, and well-marked. It's also a very picturesque park with several places to stop and take a break. The people on the paths are considerate and keep to their side. I haven't hiked here, but see many casual walkers and hikers. Great park worth a visit. read more

This park is a 10 min drive from Morristown. Has a nice trail to go running on that is partially used by a local horse farm, so half the trail is loose gravel and the other half is paved. Has a few miles of trail that I jog on frequently. The pond in the middle has a nice softball field and gazebo with tables to picnic on. read more