I love the outdoors , but this hike was not my favorite :( it has an absurd amount of insects and YES I know it's a forest , but it not even well kept when it comes to markers on the trees for hikers . You can easily get lost because there's barely any markers or directions . The view from the summit is ok but even that doesn't have a sign either . They have bathroom signs to bathrooms that don't exist . Parking to a lot that says private lot .. nature is beautiful . But I wouldn't recommend this place , the pictures posted here are the ONLY thing to see . DO NOT RECOMMEND !!! There are other beautiful hiking places .. read more

See all

Norvin Green is one of my absolute favorite places in NJ to hike. It has a tremendous variety of trails with different terrain, difficulty level and unique environments; if the mood strikes you, it's possible to hike up and down a few mountains with gorgeous 360-degree views, or something much easier that involves exploring some of the mines on the eastern side of the forest, closer to the reservoir. There's something for virtually any type of hiker, and because so much of the area is rugged, you're not likely to find too many ignorant young hiking pups wandering aimlessly without water or a map. I usually get out here at least a few times every year, and most recently stopped by with one of my chums two Saturdays ago for an 8.1-mile hike. If you're approaching Norvin Green from 287, I would strongly recommend stopping by the Quick Chek on 511 - the bathroom options are pretty much non-existent in the forest (apart from strategically placed foliage), the employees there are always very pleasant and you have a lot of hiking snack options if you haven't had time to preplan that aspect of the adventure. We did a circuitous route beginning at the Weis parking lot up the green trail, past the natural pool to the kiosk, then up blue to Wyanokie High Point, back down and continuing on the blue trail to Carris Hill, then taking the yellow trail from there down into the wetlands, turning west onto the blue trail, past Chik Falls and over to Otter Hole. At that point, you can either take the green Otter Hole trail back to the kiosk (I think that's about 6 miles), or turn west again in .2 miles onto yellow and up Buck Mountain, meandering along the ridge until you hit the woods road (subjective term) and can follow it back to the green trail/kiosk. Deciding to incorporate Buck Mountain adds about two miles to the trip, so if your haunches aren't up to it, just keep going north on green. You'll still get a workout in, regardless. The climb up to Wyanokie is fairly strenuous. I'm in very good hiking shape and can do it without any breaks if needed, but you're definitely earning the views once you ascend past the main tree line. The view on top has to be one of the top two or three in the state; on a clear day, you can see the NYC skyline (that's true as well for the top of Buck Mountain and several points along the yellow trail before it descends), as well as the mountainous regions to the north and west. It's gorgeous, and the only damper on this particular day was the obvious effects of the seasonal drought - tons of brown foliage and several of the water features were dried up or close to it. Especially down in the wetlands, you're usually hopping over a small stream or two. Not on this day, and Chik Falls was a barely discernable trickle. The Buck Mountain climb is one of the toughest in the area - if you can do it without taking a breather, god bless. It's something like an 800-foot ascent in .1 miles; it doesn't require actual rock scrambling or climbing, but it's probably in the tier right below that. But as with Wyanokie, you're getting amazing views for the sweat expended on the incline, and because it's a nastier section of the forest, there isn't nearly as much foot traffic. It's not unusual to get some solid wildlife sightings up on the ridge. This particular hike certainly had its share of wildlife. We saw either a garter or ribbon snake with Pittsburgh Steelers coloring, a skink, AKA the corgi of lizards, oodles of small frogs (presumably panicking over the lack of water), and met two canine chums, Nala and Argo. A very solid crop, and not out of the ordinary for this area. I couldn't recommend this place more highly. Nearby Wanaque doesn't have a lot of great eating options, so given that you've more than earned your calories from tromping around in the woods, I'd venture a little further south to sup on scrumptiousness. read more

See all

This was the first time I did a trail that was rated hard on my own. I wanted to see the waterfall and then make it to the top of the mountain. I didn't prepare enough and I warn you not to make the same mistake as I did. I found the waterfall easy enough. I had to follow a few different colored markers to get to the top of the mountain. The trail isn't obvious and there is a lot of areas where you are climbing rocks and leaves. There are a few lookouts on the way to "high point". "High point" was absolutely amazing. I was completely surrounded by nature on all sides and had a religious experience on top of the mountain. It was amazing. Of course I ended up coming out of the mountain on the wrong side and it was nearly dark so I didn't want to go back into the forest. I walked so far in the rain and somebody was nice enough to pick me up. My car didn't start when I finally got there, but that's a different story altogether. This was probably the best hike I've been on. I just ordered a personal navigation device and some other tools for my next hike and cannot emphasize enough for you to be prepared. read more

See all

What a win! I would have never found out about Norvin Green if it weren't for Yelp. I love discovering new and beautiful hikes that are in NJ and not far from home. There are a few different trails at Norvin Green and I like how they have light, medium and difficult options. The quickest trail is around 3 miles RT, the middle around 5 and the most difficult is a bit over 7. We opted for the mid-level hike and this was perfect. Most of the hike was shaded which was much appreciated during the hot and sunny day. Although you are ascending it's not too steep and there are clearly marked steps / footholds throughout. It felt a bit challenging at times, but certainly not difficult. Once you reach the top the views of the water are stellar. There are lots of rocks to sit on if you want to relax and enjoy a snack. At the end of the hike we were also surprised with waterfalls which was such a nice treat. This hike is scenic 100% of the time, has a variety of options for different skill levels, and is a worthwhile way to spend a few hours. Highly suggest visiting Norvin Green! read more

See all

As the weather gets better, I wanted to go experience the nature you forget is right around the corner from all the city life of Northern NJ. It's a great way to experience the forest while also you're not in the middle of the Appalachian trail never to see anyone in case of an incident. I do recommend either downloading a trail map to your phone in case you lose reception, but I always had reception which is comforting to a novice. Plan your trails, and I recommend making the waterfall one of the stops. I got to the park early in the day, and when I was leaving the parking lot was full, so take that into account. There are other parking lots around, but I recommend coming before noon. There are some beautiful views looking over a river, obviously the waterfall looks great, some of the paths go across streams which was an excerise in rock navigation. I saw a snake! Carris Hill trail is steep! Little loose with the word hill. It's a challenge! Other tips: 1) BRING TOO MUCH WATER. I brought 3 bottles in my backpack for me and it was barely enough. If I had a fourth I wouldn't have rationed some of it at the end. Especially if you walk far and have to walk back, you'll prefer having the water than none. Get a backpack/satchel so it's easy to lug around. 2) I got a little turned around on one of the trails, so downloading a trail map so I knew exactly where I was was super helpful. Google Maps just knows you're in teh forest and the map just shows the trails, so if you're unsure which fork you're on, there are apps that show your exact location on the map with distances can be really helpful. 3) Watch your footing as it's easy to trip while looking around on tree roots and rocks. Wear appropriate footwear. I ended up seeing quite a number of people on the trails but not too much. A good mix of isolation with my thoughts and a mix of knowing if I did fall and hurt myself, someone would find me. Also saying hello to people doing the same activity gives a sense of camaraderie. When it's hot but not TOO hot, this was a nice park to get away from the city life for a few hours. read more

See all

Gorgeous forested trails with killer views! Known for its High Point, this popular hiking spot takes you 3 miles deep into nature with many look out points along the way. Endure all 3 miles of rocks, dirt roads, and occasional watery streams and your eyes are in for a treat! The view shows you hundreds of lush green trees, hawks gliding around, and some glistening lakes that are afar. Few important things to note is that these trails aren't super dog friendly, there is a lot of terrain and if you are planning on bringing your pup make sure they are up for the challenge. No garbages around as well as no public bathrooms so think twice before chugging your bottle of water! This hiking spot would be a 5 out of 5 for me if the parking wasn't so troublesome, with a lot of a max of 3 cars and another of about 10, if you don't get here at the crack of dawn and get a side road spot, not sure what to tell you! read more

See all

FIrst hike during the pandemic! My fiance and I have been avoiding any hiking spots during the weekend because we want to avoid the crowds. So we decided to take a Monday off (had to be during the heatwave, of course) to go check out this park. We got there a little bit after 9. There's a small parking area (fits maybe 6-7 cars) which was almost full already. Although I'm sure there are different trail entrances and areas to park. As we were entering the trail, we saw one lady leaving but other than that, we didn't see a single soul on the trail the entire time. A little eerie but it was nice to have the entire trail to ourselves. I think it was probably because it was a Monday couples with the fact that it would also be 95 degrees (real feel 100 something) later in the afternoon. But we went early enough so it wasn't crazy hot yet, and 90% of the hike was in the shade. We did the blue diamond trail leading into the yellow trail, which I believe is 2.6 miles. The hike itself is definitely a little harder than a beginner trail. There are some rocky areas you have to climb. Once you get to the top, that's where it's blazing. There is no shade at all up there so don't expect any. But it's pretty up there! I can't say how it would be on a weekend but I'd recommend just taking a day to go during the week. It's not like we're saving those vacation days for anything else this year anyway! read more

See all

The views on this hike were amazing! We decided to hike a loop (took a few different colored trails) and were able to see the water and the skyline from the High Point. I would definitely visit again! When we arrived a bit before 10ish, almost half of the parking lot was full. By 10:30/11ish, the parking lot was PACKED. Before starting, take a picture of the map on the bulletin board. Some of the trail markers are difficult to spot, so it's easy to accidentally go off-trail. The hike we took was pretty medium-leveled. There were good footholds throughout the hike and there was a lot of shade, however the majority of it was really rocky so make sure you wear appropriate shoes and always watch your step. Also, bring lots of water and a few snacks! (Remember to take your garbage with you) You'll definitely need water/snacks during the hike and there are tons of great resting points on the trails. As an additional FYI, there aren't any restroom facilities here. read more

See all

Great challenging trails in this New Jersey State Park, absolutely outstanding views if you make the climb, but parking can be difficult. Norvin Green has a big network of trails, well marked with paint blazes on trees, and rocks are everywhere so wear boots. This review is for a strenuous hike called Chikahoki Falls in the All Trails app. You park and start near the town of Bloomingdale, travel about 4 miles and climb about 1000 feet, up to the peak for the views and back down again on the Highland Trails blue, yellow and white trails. We crossed many wet/marshy areas, also a couple streams via rocks and logs. The falls themselves are modest, but at the top the view to the east is stunning, we saw Manhattan very clearly in the distance. Leaves made the climbs & descents a challenge. We saw almost no trash on the trail. Over three hours we saw about 30 people, that seemed like almost nobody But the tiny dirt parking lot near Bloomingdale was full. Knocking off a star for the poor parking, if the state would just paint lines or mark it better, people would park better & safely, fit more cars etc. read more

See all

I spent most of the day hiking Norvin Green State Forest. I recommend the early Fall hiking because of the average temperatures, usually dry trails and of course the Autumn foliage colors. Norvin Green has an extensive trail system which links up with public and private properties. some trails continue beyond the State forest limits. I began at the New Weis Center. The center is mostly used for outdoor education. There are limited exhibits to view. After exploring the center I began my hike which took me to the Natural Pool which was about a 10 minute walk. From there I hiked to the Wyanokie High Point. It is a interesting hike which is by in large hiked in the shade of trees except near the top which is steep and rock faced. I would consider the hike medium to difficult for the East Coast of the United States. Other nearby hiking trails from the New Weis Center are Ball Mountain and Carris Hill which is a difficult hike. Norvin Green State Forest offers a variety of hiking experiences. While Carris Hill (yellow blaze) is 1 mile and difficult, Otterhole (green blaze) is 1.5 miles and of medium difficulty and Macopin (white blaze ) is 1 mile and easy. Of the 10 trails offered (1 is easy), (3 are medium) and (6 are difficult). Trail distances range from 1 mile 5 trails, 1.5 miles 2 trails, 1 trail 4.0 miles, 1 trail 5 miles and 1 trail is 5.5 miles. Elevations range from 400'to 1,300' above sea level. There are scenic vistas of the New York skyline, Burnt Meadow Brook, Lake Sunoma and Wanaque reservoir. Use a topographical map to avoid getting lost. Maps can be purchased at the New Weis Center or through the New York-New Jersey Trails Conference. There are multiple entry points to Norvin Green State forest, each has a parking lot but different capacity. I have seen black bears on the trail on several occasions. read more

See all

You always have be careful with flooded trails after a torrential downpour the day before because some trails may be inaccessible. Originally, we planned to hike Caris Hill Trail, but northbound of Hewitt-Butler Trail (Blue trail) is flooded, so we changed our plan to do Torne Trail to Oslo Rock, which is southbound, instead. From Otter Hole parking lot, we hiked up the blue trail which is steep, rocky and strenuous with a lot of great vantage points especially the skyline of Manhattan from Oslo Rock. We hiked past Torne Mountain, red trail, Oslo Rock and looped around to the beginning of the red trail like a figure 8. There's a lot of rock scrambling on both trails, plus most of the path in the ravine on the red trail is flooded from a stream nearby. We were able to hike 2.7 miles within 2 hours with limited breaks. I would rate these trails as moderate to hard. read more

Great views throughout this trail. Check out NJHiking.com before you go to review the trail(s) you plan to take because some of the blazes are hard to spot and it's easy to get turned around. Make sure you get to the lot early on a weekend, tends to get very packed by 1030-11. Easily could have sold my parking spot. read more

Norvin Green State Forest - Hiking Near Me - Ringwood, New Jersey

We went specifically to Wyanokie Hi Point. There was a different path for hikers with dogs and on this you could start slightly left from the parking lot, passing a residential area briefly before treading on a clear path, then crossing a small patch of shallow and leafy water, and from here the hike started. The trail can be bumpy from rocks with a tendency to go down before going up, then down again. But the path afforded nice scenery, I like this trail better than Bear Mountain. We rarely crossed path with anyone. The view on top was definitely an opportunity for beautiful photos. Here, was a very peaceful vibe; just the right breeze and perfect view of the foliage to soak up on. This was 17Oct2020. Manhattan Skyline could be detected like a grey sketch from up here. We were there at around 0945 and there were probably 5 spots left in the parking lot, but full to the brim as we left past noontime. There were more people as we took the short cut, on our way back. The trail was way steeper! My thighs felt like it was doing squats, by this time, but then again, it's coming from someone who never engage in regular exercise. read more

See all

Love this place. The trails are marked (green at the bottom and blue as you are ascending to the top) so it's fairly easy to find your way to the top and back down even if you have a terrible sense of direction, just make sure you keep an eye out for the different colored markers on the trees and stones, some are easy to miss! We were told it was a "strenuous" hike but personally I didn't think it was that bad. It took us around 3 1/2 hours to do the entire hike. Some parts are definitely challenging and I was sweating A LOT but it was also 85 degrees and humid when we did this hike. The views were absolutely gorgeous! I loved it! I can't wait to come back in the fall. At the bottom of the mountain there's a natural pool. It's not chlorinated or anything but still super clean!!! The water comes from the stream from the top of the mountain. There's a $10 entrance fee per person with tons of picnic tables on the side of the pool. There were lots of people swimming and bbqing when we came. There's also a little shop by the pool where they sell snacks, food & drinks. There's also a volleyball net and basketball hoop out in the field next to the pool. This park has so much to offer and there's NO entry fee either! If you live close I highly recommend checking it out! Tip: If you plan on doing the hike make sure you wear sneakers with good grip and I recommend bringing a backpack full with water. We brought 4 bottles of water and went through them all on the way up. read more

See all

Wyanokie High Point, Ringwood NJ. Awesome moderate hiking trail, easy to follow. Can get crowded on the weekends, but helps to point you in the right direction. I used my hiking trails app as a guide helpful if your hiking solo. View is amazing and worth every minute of the hike. Little challenges along the way, make it all the more exciting. Enormous beautiful boulders lead you to the top. read more

See all

Great hiking here. You can't go wrong. A multitude of trails and things to see. Some great overlooks, some awesome waterfalls, and The Stone Living Room! There is something for everyone, ranging from the newbie to the seasoned hiker. We love to come here when the foliage turns in the fall. Highly-recommended! read more

Soooo many mosquitoes! I came here and went to the Wyanokie High Point, Chikahoka Falls, and the Otter Hole. The hike was pretty nice, and it was pretty shaded which made the hike more enjoyable. It also wasn't too steep, and even though the waterfall and the Otter Hole were a bit dry, the view at the top was good! Cool hike, and I'm glad I went! Bring bug repellent too! read more

See all

First hike of 2016, on a Wednesday and it was at Norvin Green State Forest in New Jersey, with a small group of friends. Drive from Queens, wasn't that bad; an hour and change via the Tappan Zee Bridge (We took the more scenic route). Upon arrival at the New Weis Center, we were the only other car there, aside from this black Honda. Near the parking lot, we saw a few residential homes. I couldn't imagine living there..in the middle of nowhere. While my friends and I were preparing our gear and backpacks, this gentlemen wearing slacks, dress shirt and shoes walked out of the woods...I recall my friends and I looking at one another like, "What the hell? Clearly this guy isn't dressed properly. What was he doing in the woods? Getting rid of a body perhaps..?" O_o Anyway, my friends and I decided on hiking the Wyanokie High Point Loop from the parking lot, which is roughly 4 miles long and has several steep ups and downs, making this hike a moderately strenuous hike. At the beginning of the trail, there is an information booth with up-to-date trail maps and other useful information. We followed the blue trail, which was mostly through the woods. Terrain was climbing in elevation for the most part, with a few down slopes as well. We noticed many downed trees and there was a small brook near the beginning of the trail. The blue trail, we followed all the way to the High Point, which is the highest point of the Wyanokie Loop (obviously). From there, we saw nice panoramic views of surrounding forest, and the Wanaque Reservoir. And if you focus your eyes farther in the distance, you can actually see the NYC skyline and just make out the silhouette of the Empire State building and the Freedom Tower (Pretty cool!). On our way back, we followed the blue and white/red trail markers back down, until we came to the part of the trail where Blue meets Yellow. Along the descent back to the parking lot, we saw 2 pairs of hikers as well, so it was definitely relieving to know that we weren't along in the woods..LOL Overall, my friends and I were quite satisfied with our first hike of the year. Norvin Green State Forest has a nice extensive trail system, with well marked trails for the most part. The highest difficulty level is probably the Wyanokie Loop, which seemed to have the highest elevation level. I could see this place being beautiful in the Fall when all the leaves change color, or perhaps even in the winter months, the day after a snowstorm and the landscape is covered in a layer of snow! read more

See all

As an avid hiking this is one of my favorite hiking trail system in New Jersey! Get ready to break out the hiking boots, cross over a few streams, see a waterfall, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! I would be prepared with a map (if you park at Otter Hole) they generally have paper maps filled up but if not I would highly recommend taking a picture of the one posted. The trails are very well marked and maintained, however, one wrong turn can cost a few extra miles. Must see peaks are Carris Hill and Wyanokie High Point ... take a day off from the gym and check them out it will be well worth it. read more

Really great hiking spot with cool places to visit inside the park. I would consider this a moderate to hard hiking park. I would give it five stars but they charge $10 for non-residents to use the pool which is crazy to a New Yorker because public pools here are free. There's open fields to have a picnic on and even a volleyball sand court but you need to bring your own ball and net. R read more

Beautiful place to hike. They have a natural pool here for Passaic County residents, I think you have to pay to get in though. The hiking trails are vast here. I've been here around 10 times and have come no where close to seeing everything. Some spots I do recommend though are the caves on the Orange trail, and the waterfall. It's a bit tougher to hike than most places, so if you're just looking for a leisurely stroll I'd look somewhere else read more

Amazing place to hike. Personally, I believe it is one of the best places to hike in NJ. Me and my buddies did Carris Hill, Wyanokie High Point and Buck Mountain -- and started from the Otter Hole and saw the amazing waterfalls. Highly recommend the hike. read more

See all

Super awesome hiking here. I love that it is totally customizable. Trails interconnect and cross over you can make the hike as easy or hard as you want. I loved the scenery and trails were very well maintained. read more

Norvin Green State Forest is one of New Jersey's true gems It is laced with hiking trails and dotted with a number of mountains which makes for some pretty rough terrain to hike. There are some excellent viewpoints, the best of which is Wyanokie High Point where the nearly treeless summit provides a 360 degree view. Buck Mountain, Carris Hill, Overlook Rocks and Osio Rock also provide outstanding views. There are two major mines, Blue Mine and Roomy Mine. The former is filled with water but Roomy Mine can be entered when the bats aren't hibernating. It is closed from Sept 15h to April 15th. The rest of the time it is a worthwhile place to explore. The mine shaft extends over 100 feet into the hilliside. Norvin Green SF is in three sections. The smallest section is south of Glenwild Ave and good for someone who wants a shorter hike. Still there are many nice views along the ridge line and at Osio Rock. The section between Glenwild Ave/Otter Hole Rd and Westbrook Rd is the most popular. This is where most of the views and trails are. The section north of Westbrook Rd is the forgotton stepchild and doesn't get a ot of visitors. Probably because the chiief access is on Burnt Meadown Rd, which is in poor shape. Thanks to that it's the place to go if you are looking for solitude, and Lake Sonoma is a pretty little lake, while Overlook Rocks provide an outstanding view. Norving Green has plenty of bear and deer. If you're lucky you might see a rattlesnake, bald eagle, bobcat or coyote. read more

Beautiful hike! Trails were marked, but took a little too find the start. If you park in the first lot you come to you have to find the trail marker that is labeled L in a circle. We took the blue trail until KY met the green trail and took the green trail back to the beginning. Make sure you side track just a bit to see the gorgeous views of high point. The hike took us about four hours or so, but it was well worth it. I can't wait to go back to explore other trails!! read more

See all

It was awesome here. You have your classic northeast deciduous forest. There were trails, cliffs, waterfalls, etc. Perfect for a weekend hike. read more

See all

Have been hiking at Norvin for many years, it is a local to my home. The hike from the Other Hole Road side offers a varying degree of difficulty, lower lot is the easiest to hike to the waterfall, upper lot offers entry points at the top of the hill to the more challenging hikes. One of which is between the 2 parking lots brings you passed the stone living room, if you have a keen eye. This hike is slightly more difficult during winter months as some of the trail markers are on the rock face and scrambling down a snow/ice covered boulder can prove to be treacherous. Weis ecology center off of Westbrook Road offers a nice natural spring pool in the summer months for a fee. Also has one geo caching spot we stumbled across. (we were about to be married when we found it and is nice to refind and reread) Great views and trail maps along all 3 Otterhole Road points. All in all this hike is the one the wife and I enjoy the most, but can also be tough to find parking on the weekend and holidays. read more

I came here again, this time hiking Buck Mountain from Otter Hole, and it's really secured this forest as one of my favorites in NJ. This is a great place to explore if you want to see a bunch of different things in one day (waterfalls, mountain views, streams, rock scrambles, etc.), because it really does have everything. I'll be back soon. read more

See all

Awesome place to go hiking. It's challenging but the views are so worth it. It's somewhat dog friendly if you have a larger dog. I