The most amazing hidden gem in Bergen County, NJ. Family friendly, easy trails and so beautiful. One of our most favorite places . read more

Tenafly Nature Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Tenafly, New Jersey

This is a wonderful place to bring the whole family. They have about 12 different trails, all separated in different levels of difficulty. The trails are free to enter but they do request for volunteer donation for non members. Different tiers of annul membership available to purchase at main office that comes with some wonderful perks, such as free access to trails and special events. The main office also has some of the exhibition items like insect box and turtle box. Outside the office there's also bird and butterfly cages. We went to the center for our daughter to participate in butterfly feeding event. Upon arrival we found out we had to buy the tickets for one of the two scheduled events. Luckily there were slots available to the second event on the day. The ticket was reasonably cheap, only $8. It also came with an additional bird's exhibition that took place right in front of office deck. All the stuff members were very friendly, informative and interactive. We spent wonderful couple of hours here on beautiful warm summer day. read more

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We came for a butterfly feeding session. It's fun and educational. Once you arrive, you will check in at the office. They have all kinds of live animals in there. Easily to spend half hour just check out animals inside. The session started with butterfly introduction. They gave us a pictures of all the butterflies, took us to an enclosed area, passed out a stick with sugar water on it. Butterflies would come and landed on the stick. Then kids would make a seed balls for the garden. Supposedly the flowers will attract butterflies. It's $8 per person ($5 for member). It's not bad for 1 hr session. You can also walk around on the trails. Recommend for kids and family activities. read more

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This place is huge!!!! Visit and buy a membership and go often! The staff is kind, dedicated and knowledgeable! Sign up for a program or hike today! read more

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Great place to explore for a little while with educational activities to sign up for when searching for programs. We came here for a short while, mostly because of my toddler's nap, and will be back soon. The trail we chose was the red trail. It also was a trail leading to the faeries. It was sweet to see different faerie houses hanging from a few different trees. As you walk around, many signs are legible to see and read. read more

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Family friendly community nature trail. Plenty of small animals to watch. Very nice for a short walk.

The park is nice, relaxing, serene where you can think things out, become wishful, or ponder your dreams. But if you value your life DO NOT use the ONLY porta-potty that's right next to the parking area. The toilet is all moldy, TONS of flies clinging to the walls, and an overbearing, disgusting smell of EVERYthing, including a too-strong, nasty "deodorizer" smell that just makes the pain worse. My wife went in, after 2 seconds came rushing out regurgitating, it was that bad. We saw a group of really young kids coming into the park for a field trip. I just wonder how they're going to survive this porta-potty after their hike! The folks who run this park really have to get their acts together and at least clean this potty. From the mold alone you KNOW it hasn't been scrubbed or spit shined in years. If you got to go just hold it if you can. Or if you do go in hold your breath, wrap a thick cloth around your nose, duct tape, something. Be careful. read more

Just 30 minutes away from JC by car, Tenafly was super easy to get to. There's parking on site as well as a porta potty, so very well equipped. The cost is $2 per person or $10 per household. We went on a day where the Nature Center was closed, so I'm not sure if it's always an honor system, but it was when we went. We dropped $6 into the box for the 3 of us and started our hike. They also have a Venmo and Zelle, so you can pay electronically as well. The trails are very clearly marked by their colors with pointed arrows on the trees. I loved that they did this, as it made it very easy for us to wander through the trails. Most of them are pretty short, with one long one. We opted to do a bunch of smaller, shorter trails. There's a giant lake in the middle of two of the trails and it was really nice to take pictures around. I suspect the wild life is much more abundant during the spring and summer months. We really enjoyed our 2 hours at Tenafly and I would definitely recommend it as a nice winter activity if you want to get outside and get some fresh air. read more

Though I'm a big fan of TNC in general, this specific review is for the Forest School program where I've now sent both of my kids for preschool. TNC is a magical sanctuary where children thrive in a small, attentive environment. With caring teachers and a focus on nature, it has been like a second home. The kids explore, learn, and develop friendships with one another in an idyllic outdoor classroom, fostering a deep connection to the natural world while being nurtured and kept safe. Every day is an adventure filled with wonder and joy-- and often, a healthy dose of mud. I'm so grateful for the enriching experience my children have had here and highly recommend it to any parent who cares about preserving childhood, in all its wonder. read more

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Tenafly Nature Center. My daughter had an event for her girl scout troop. There is a parking lot on site, so parking was pretty easy. My group's event was at the visitor center, which made it easy to find. There were also different trails, to explore. We can't wait to visit the Tenafly Nature Center again in the spring. read more

Incredible place, gorgeous little trails, pond filled with frogs and turtles. Gelreat way to spend the day.

Great place for easy hiking, well marked trails. Open year round. In March you get to see the sugar maple trees tapped. They offer informational workshops about sap collection. The tour guide Jillian was fabulous and kept the family engaged. They have some live animals for viewing indoors. There were snakes and chinchillas and centipedes. There are owls and hawk outdoors that were rescued. Clean restrooms. The ride was less than 20 minutes from GWB. Beautiful views by the lake. read more

Tenafly Nature Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Tenafly, New Jersey

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PROS: This nature center is top notch compared to others. The main trail is nicely mulched and the other trails are clear from any clutter. There are a lot of nice sites along the way including the lake, streams, and seating areas. They have a huge gazebo for events and a cabin for activities. They even have a zoo CONS: The hours for the cabin are limited and the parking lot is cramped. It's also difficult to read the trail markers OVERALL: I would definitely throw a bday party for a kid here or even go on a easy hike. It's not adventurous but it's definitely for beginners read more

This review is for the Forest Preschool Program. First off Amanda, the director and teacher is just exceptionally great! Forest Preschool has smaller class size of 5 students. Amanda is great at identifying each individual kid's interests and helping them each grow their skills. The smaller class size also allowed all the kids to connect very closely at a personal level. The outdoor setting is amazing for kids at that young age to cultivate creative, problem solving, and exploratory skills. They get exposure to a ton of stuff like tools( I'm talking hammer, peeler and more) while keeping safety in mind and taking instructions from Amanda. They also get to explore the animals, birds, plants and weather that the enormous Nature center offers.. I'm talking experiences like a snake eating a salamander, spotting 80 year old turtle in a pond, watching salamander eggs, week(s) long play and building tunnels in snow, endless splashing in puddles!! Some of these are once in a lifetime experiences for most people, at best ! I also noticed that my LO had a huge fondness and respect for nature, and preserving it and keeping it clean, after joining Forest Preschool. My LO also built stamina for long hikes due to the outdoor exposure everyday. Most importantly this helped my kid restore to nature for play or to spend time. I hope that continues. I believe in strong foundations and I'm so grateful to have found Forest Preschool. This has been a great unconventional learning experience (especially during Covid times) and I highly recommend it!! read more

Tenafly Nature Center is epic!! I came here recently on a sunny Saturday afternoon expecting a half-baked stand of trees, but I was sorely mistaken. This place is about 400 acres and has a significant network of fairly well maintained walking trails. Our intentions were to walk around the place for ~30 minutes, but before we knew it, we had blown over 2 hours exploring every inch of the place. There were lots of other people around, mainly families with kids, but it was in no way crowded - nothing like Central Park, Van Cortland Park or Prospect Park. It is really easy to meander around, get lost and just completely enjoy the peace and serenity of the place. The trails are well maintained - maintained just enough so they are safe (no sinking into mud or twisting of ankles) but not overly manicured such that the place loses the "natural" feel. There is a beautiful pond near the entrance that is must see as well. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It was incredibly peaceful and enjoyable. I am looking forward to my next visit. read more

Tenafly Nature Center - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Tenafly, New Jersey

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My friend had her son's Birthday party here and it was such a pleasure to be part of it. I was late because I didn't expect the bridge to be packed on a Sunday afternoon as it was. However, I made it on time to enjoy the best part of the party when the Staff brought out real animals for the children to see, and if you love Animals, you can understand my excitement about it. It was actually the first time I saw a Hawk real close, I was about 1 meter away from it. The park have trails, the longest one is 7 miles long which I plan to walk. If you care about nature and want to help, you can make a donation for the Aviary fundraiser that the park is creating. This is a small nature treasure in NJ and so easy to get there, is the first exit of the Palisades Parkway. Donation Link: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/tenafly-nature-center-association/raptor-aviary-rebuild read more

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I've known of this place for a years and have always wanted to visit but timing never worked out. I was finally able to make a trip with my son over the weekend. We arrived later in the day (4pm) on a Saturday and the parking lot was about half full. (Despite this we rarely saw or encountered other people) There are about 20-25 parking spaces in the lot. Upon leaving the lot we noticed that (as expected) the center was limited due to COVID. Many things such as the nature center itself and bathrooms were closed, understandably, for safety purposes. The trails were clearly labeled and very straight forward. There were lots of "one-way" signs ensuring that people don't or shouldn't cross paths while walking. You follow the trails which may lead you into another trail or back to the parking lot if you choose. There were clear signs all over the place so it is nearly impossible to get lost. I also noticed chairs at certain intersection which I assumed are manned during the busier times to encusre compliance with the rules. The center offers the typical nature/outdoors experience all while being very close to NYC. The view of the pond area is very nice. There were two birds (an owl and a hawk) in the enclosures. We also noticed two deer during our walk. "Admission" fees are $2 per person or $10 per family which can be given by a variety of ways including Venmo, Paypal and a CAsh Box. All of which are contactless. Overall we had a great time here. I would love to return post-COVID to check out the nature center. read more

My experience with the nature Center was positive, nice place to be if you like to disconnect from the city, birds, and deer are all over, staff are friendly and the cell phone reception is no really good but how cares when you just looking for enjoy a couple of hours lost in the middle of this wonderful place. read more

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A beginner nature hike for most, but even for experienced hikers, TNC is still a good day out. Despite short trails, the center is larger than you think. Can take around 2 hours to do all the trails. Little to no elevation on all the trails and youll feel that nice leaf crunch for a good Autumn feel. My only complaint is that the purple trail has to be updated. Seems like some of the trail blazes are faded out or very hard to spot. I had to recount my steps to the last trail marker at least 2 or 3 times. They do ask for a $2 donation at the start of the trail. Well worth it. Picnic area in the front of the center and at the purple trail. Dont miss the owls near the visitor center read more

I've came here twice and it is a nice place to walk/run, but don't expect too much. This place has plenty of parking available. The parking lot leads right to the trails. There's only a few short trails at the Tenafly Nature Center, unless of course you go beyond to the Lost Brook Preserve trails. The last time I went there, I took about 1 1/2 hours to do all the trails. This is not really a place for "hikers." I'm the type of hiker that loves rocky trails and having a challenge. This is not one of those places of course. It's a place to enjoy nature and walk around. You'll see some nice things along the trails but nothing really special caught my attention. The pond is quite nice. I also enjoyed the white trail as it has art along the trail that tells a story which were drawn and written by younger kids. It's pretty cute. Other than that, again, it's just a nice place to walk, chat, and enjoy nature. read more

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Such a beautiful place! I love taking my kids here and would highly recommend it to anybody who wants some peace and quiet

We recently celebrated my daughter's 7th birthday at the Nature center. In fact this is the second birthday we've held there - we celebrated her 6th Birthday at TNC too - at her request! TNC is a special place. The programming is wonderful, the staff are all highly knowledgeable and very friendly. And the trails are just lovely. TNC is also a great place for kid birthdays. It's very affordable (~$300 or so) and kids have SO much fun there. The basic parties are 1hr 45min - 2 hrs and you get use of their covered pinic/pavilion area the whole time. Two TNC educators also help facilitate the party. They have lots of activities/programs to choose from and you can have larger groups in children there very comfortably. Then there's the smore's campfire! It's an add on but SO worth it - the kids absolutely love it. My favorite part though is watching the kids kick loose. No indoor voices, no "don't touch that you might break it!", just fresh air, running around, imaginative play, and rediscovering the basics. read more

This place is a beautiful gem!! I loved the fact that you can be with nature here and without the crowds and without having to travel far. It has the peace and tranquility for a meditative walk. You can easily stay 2 hours following trails that are all well marked. The trails are easy, but with just the right amount of ruggedness. I spotted deer, wild turkey and chipmunks along the way. Not to mention all the wonderful birds and flora. Don't forget to visit the owls and butterfly garden. On August 6, I went on the full moon hike in the program schedule. I was very disappointed and left the hike due to excessive talking by a group of three ahead of me. This type of behavior is disruptive and inconsiderate. Unfortunately, Asai, the guide , never stated the ground rules which according to the description of this hike in the program it reads"tranquil, meditative hike encouraged reflection and connections with nature allowing hikers to experience the trails after dark" and yet it was quite the opposite. I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. As I was returning, I was lucky to find another group on a Give a Hoot walk ( looking for owls). I enjoyed this hike very much. I learned a lot about owls. Jill, the guide was excellent. I hope to see her in other other hikes. read more

This review is for the Forest Preschool (though the rest of the nature center is also awesome). We were so lucky to start our daughter at TNC in September 2020 after agonizing about Covid-safe activities for our very social almost 4yo. It has been a great decision for so many reasons. Her previous daycare was 95% indoors, and I can see that forest preschool has given her a new appreciation and passion for nature. I'm certain she can now identify more plants and animals than I can. She loves climbing, exploring, using her imagination for activities, and importantly no longer complains about the weather. Snow/wind/rain, no problem! Ms Amanda is THE BEST and is so great with the kids, coordinating fun activities and hikes every day but also mediating fiery kid arguments and defusing moodiness like an empathic wizard. She provides full updates and photos every day so we always know what the kids got up to. They also take Covid very seriously and have daily health checks (in 8 months there has never been an issue). We moved farther away from TNC after a few months, but continue doing the 45min drive because our daughter loves it so much. If not for the commute we would have loved to sign her up for another year. It's such a unique educational experience and I know it will stay with her for a long time. Cannot recommend this program highly enough! read more

The Nature Center itself is a beautiful and well-maintained space and definitely worth a visit! But I want to highlight their Forest Preschool program and share a bit about what a wonderful opportunity it is! My son attended their spring session (twice a week) and it was absolutely the best thing ever. The program creates a safe and gentle space for the children to explore nature, learn about all things outdoors, as well as figure out their peer relationships. All in the comfort of the great outdoors! The teachers of the program (specifically Miss Amanda and Mr Alex) are attentive, fun, knowledgeable, and wonderful with the kids. If you have a child between 3-5 years old and are even the tiniest bit interested by the Forest Preschool program, I cannot emphasize enough how much you should reach out to the Nature Center and look into it! read more

Beautiful oasis located off 9W. I have explored a lot of the Palisades and never knew this spot existed right across the Palisades Parkway and 9W. I came here to run a 10 mile trail race that they sponsor. I loved the trails in here. Great spot to hike and/or run. Wear appropriate shoes/clothing because some spots of the trail can be muddy. Enjoy the pond. I was told by one of the workers that its a great spot for bird watching. Definitely want to come back to explore some more. read more

This review is for the Forest Preschool. This program has been absolutely amazing for our daughter! What initially drew us to the program was our desire to find a safe, outdoor preschool option where Covid precautions would be taken very seriously. We found that- and so much more. Our daughter has developed incredible friendships, a passion for the outdoors, and increased confidence to take on new challenges (think climbing tall trees, taking long hikes, playing in all weather, and using grown-up tools!). Ms. Amanda is a masterful educator, who weaves best practices in early childhood education (fine and gross motor, literacy, math/ science) into a nature and play-based curriculum. She is very attuned to the interests of the students and allows for lots of student voice and choice around how each day unfolds. She is also an amazing naturalist and her knowledge of and passion for the outdoors has left an indelible impression on our daughter. Finally, she speaks and listens to students (and parents!) with such respect and caring, modeling how to cooperate, resolve conflicts, and express feelings. These skills will be so important for my daughter as she moves into kindergarten next year. I truly could not imagine a more wonderful preschool experience for our daughter. I highly recommend Forest School!!! read more

Had a great time on the Full Moon hike with a bunch of friends on Friday, April 19th. Our leader Jill was all Millennial adorable with fun facts about the Pink Moon and interesting info about the foliage. The hike was more of a walk - easy and accessible to different ages and abilities. There is a very cool Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods. It was a nice experience and I will keep an eye out for activities in the future or to just go for a walk in the woods. read more

I had my daughter's 9th birthday at the Tenafly Nature center and it was a huge success! They loved the treasure hunt and the s'mores around the campfire at the end!!! I would absolutely consider the Tenafly Nature Center for future events!! read more

Check out a virtual tour of the Tenafly Nature Center & Lost Brook Preserve on NJUrbanForest.com! http://njurbanforest.com/2012/03/19/tenafly-nature-center-lost-brook-preserve/ Plenty of Pictures!! read more

We celebrated my son's 4th birthday at TNP in March. Despite the chilly temperatures, the kids were able to experience s'mores outside and they loved it! We had a "party animals" event--Jennifer kept the kids engaged and they were completely captivated by the animals. Would highly recommend! read more