This has quickly and easily become one of my favorite spots to be grounded and immersed in nature. If you don't have time for an hours long hike or a ride to a huge forest, this place will do. I love that they have ample space in their parking lot, its easily accessible, and intriguing because it's a sensory trail. I appreciate how quaint it is. Very uplifting if you need a boost. Highly recommend! read more

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This is my first time at this reservation and I must say that it is beautiful.. it is so peaceful and quiet. They have a lot space for picnics and trails to walk on(wear your comfortable sneakers) and the waterfall is so amazing!! read more

Watchung Reservation - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

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Incredible place full of history. I've only been once but I'd love to go back. It's absolutely beautiful and it's so interesting seeing all that it has to offer. From the nature to the deserted village and so on there is so much to see and explore. read more

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***3 1/2 stars*** I live half an hour away from Watchung, and the fact that I can count the number of times I've been here over the last decade on one paw tells you something - this isn't one of my favorites. This was selected as the site of our annual First of the Year Hike due to its proximity to a specific top-tier chum. At first glance, Watchung Reservation has a lot going for it; oodles of history seeping out of every pore, culminating with the deserted village of Feltville (and a conveniently named Historic Trail leading us almost right to the entrance of it). But...it's Union County. This is the best hiking option in the area, and it unfortunately just doesn't mean much. We met up in the parking lot of the Trailside Nature and Science Center, and embarked on a 4- to 5-mile hike (everyone's devices provided different mileage numbers). It was entirely improvised, as every official hike I could find in my books and online was over 6 miles, which meant a lot of stopping to peer intently at our maps/phones. Annoying overall, but the geosenses triumphed and we were never off-course. (One of the benefits to Watchung is that it's almost impossible to get lost - go in one direction long enough, and you'll either hit Route 78 or a nearby suburban enclave.) We took the purplish Historic Trail from the Scout Camping Area over and around Lake Surprise, uphill closer to 78 until turning off onto the Sierra Trail into Feltville and visiting both the village and the nearby cemetery. We then made our way onto another offshoot of the Sierra to the Blue Trail, crossing Blue Brook, until it turned into the Orange Trail and brought us back to the parking lot. The trail markings are decent and freshly painted; the problem though is that there are WAY too many trails, and all of them are named. So instead of accepting the fact that you have a random, unofficial deer path or something (which is a very common occurrence in a park/reservation), they insisted that that path ALSO needs to share the name of an official trail. This is why the Sierra Trail seems to have five or six different trails. It's needless, and in an effort to provide options for hikers, it actually creates a disorienting sensation. At least two or three times we came to an intersection and noticed that both ways had the same color trail blaze. We had to spend an extra minute or two staring at our source material to figure out which Sierra Trail we should go on. If they're going to insist that everything be blazed, at the very least you need to have better signage at the intersections. I appreciated that there were three or four signs leading me to the restrooms near the Nature Center, but it would have been nice if that sentiment had carried over into the woods too (the restrooms were clean and certainly preferable to a port-a-potty, but I'd upgrade the hand dryer, which looked to be a vestige from the Reagan administration). The quality of the trail varied dramatically depending on where we were. Understandably the areas near Surprise Lake had some muddy stretches - made more interesting by the damp end to 2023 - but I wouldn't classify any of it as egregious. We had to do a little bit of trailblazing to circumnavigate one or two areas, but overall it could have been a lot worse. The Sierra Trail on the north end heading toward Feltville was my least favorite part, and I'm betting that's true for a lot of people. The noise from 78 is loud so if you're looking for some solace in nature, it's not going to be in this spot. Feltville is a legitimately interesting stop on the way, though it's not as spooky as it used to be. They've cleaned up a lot of the structures so only two or three of them now look like drug dens (which is probably a good thing - not a particularly hot take) but it doesn't look quite as authentic, deserted village-wise. There's an audio tour now that one chum in particular gave a long, lingering look at, but that's a far cry from when I stumbled across this place in the rain maybe 10 years ago. The cemetery just off to the north is a cool little detour if you have the time, and easy to locate with the signage (it's also visible from multiple parts of Feltville). We paid our respects to our fallen Revolutionary War heroes and went on our way. The canine chum situation was excellent - the unexpectedly pleasant morning weather certainly had a hand in that, but it was wall-to-wall pooches, many of whom were sporting excellent sweaters and were in good spirits. On the flipside, the wildlife sightings were sparse and relegated mostly to a few paunchy-looking squirrels. Such is life 50 yards from Route 78. Your mileage may vary, but this to me is more of a walk in the woods/exploring cool old building versus a real hike (which is fine). But given that, they should really spend some time making these trails/paths more coherent for the masses. read more

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Amazing trail, started out real easy and flat, got more progressive. There are ppl but not crowded. Was quite swampy after the rain. Found real bathrooms and even potable water to drink read more

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It has beautiful views but absolutely horrible signage. Ended up walking on the side of the road to get to the parking lot instead of walking on the trails because there was absolutely no signage on where the trail was to get to the parking lot. It was peaceful in the beginning of my hike but had me stressing when it was time to leave. Arrow poles would actually help a lot and save much more time rather than guessing which way to go and hoping for the best. read more

Great park for hiking. There are a number of trails of varying difficulty. We brought our puppy and he really enjoyed himself. Started with the red/ white trail near the Visitors center. This one was really easy, but still fairly nice. Definitely can bring the kiddos for this one. There is also a sensory trail as well as a playground in the area. We finally found the pink trail which was my favorite. This one is longer (we only did a section) and also goes by the water. As other reviews have stated, it does get muddy. We visited 2 days after rain, but there were still bad patches. Luckily our pup didn't get too filthy! read more

Watchung Reservation - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

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Watchung Reservation is one a 2000+ acre preserve in New Jersey. It is a geological wonder formed about 200 million years ago when the area was part of a huge continent called Pangea. As Pangea pulled apart forming the Atlantic Ocean and separate continents volcanic lava spilled up forming the base of the Watching Mountains. this lava can be seen throughout the reservation and is called Basalt. Glaciers also helped form Watching Reservation and glacial effects can be seen in the form of puddingstone (purple quartzite boulders) strewn about. Today there are numerous activities to be enjoyed in Watchung Reservation. Fishing is available in Surprise Lake. Horseback riding at the Watchung Stables with great riding trails. The historical Deserted Village of Feltville. The Trailside Nature and Science Museum which is fabulous, a playground area for kids and lots of trails. An important trail is the 6 mile Historic Trail which can be picked up at the Trailside Nature and Science Museum. If you go to the Watchung Reservation website you can take a virtual tour of the Historic Trail, as well as , the Geology Trail. read more

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January is a cold month to go hiking in the northeast, but being a northman most of my life I'm accustomed to the harsh northern Jersey climate. Watchung Reservation is home to historical events but also beautiful landscapes and a "deserted village". One of the most beautiful attractions (year-round) is Lake Surprise, which looks picture-esque in any climate. In the winter, the lakes reflection makes for a still and quiet setting. There are benches and tables to have a snack at or take a seat and enjoy the setting. Trails: The unpaved trails can be a bit muddy, especially after rain or when the snow melts. If you're in one of those, expect a bit of mud on the shoes. There is a lot of room to maneuver throughout the different trails, so distancing is quite easy. Parking: There are different parking areas and between the two there isn't an issues finding parking. Parking is free. This lake looks like it would be fun to kayak or canoe in. Just make sure you don't go down the man-made waterfall and you'll be alright. read more

Watchung Reservation - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

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This place is great - the accessible (sensory) trail is wonderful. The areas around the main building are really pretty. The gazebo and play areas are very nicely done! We noted that the Main building and Science Center opens at noon, so we walked the trails for a bit, and then headed back to the building. The trails aren't well marked. Not at all. There were "re-routes" that led to who-knows-where. We ended up on a horse trail, and the reason we know that is because there was horse poop every few yards. We finally ended up almost back to where we started - no thanks to any signs. They lose half a star for this. We got back to the building about 12:05, and tried the doors. Still locked. Seriously? We saw someone in there. We went back to our car to drop something off, grab some water, and decided to try the building one more time. Finally they were open. They lose another half star for not being opened on time. That's just unprofessional. If you have kids, you have to bring them here. It's really very well done! Don't forget to check out the beautiful photos upstairs! This is a great place, and we'll likely come back if in the area. read more

You really do need a car to appreciate just how large this place is. Wonderful, kinda rugged, pretty heavy duty trails. Would recommend the local municipalities utilize this for foot and bike races if they don't already. read more

Watchung Reservation - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

Nice loop and very good trail .. love it .. first few times it's tough to find the trail .. wish there were more help or arrows pointing to where the trail is .. parking is ok.. once u get into the trail , it's good . Nice lake and trail next to it is good . Uneven surface. Don't go after rain .. very difficult to walk . Over all a good experience read more

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Love love love this place! I have been going to it more frequently now that I am actually comfortable with the trails. I have only done the 6 mile Historical trail loop, hopefully i can figure out the Sierra (looks like that one is 10 miles). There is a "welcome" center and heated restrooms (not porta potties!). The trails are slightly technical and some rolling hills but very manageable. I've run a 10k trail race here and did not have any issues. read more

Really enjoyed walking the empty trails which were mostly well-marked. The trails were clean and not too rocky or muddy, so it was an easy hike. Lots of great history in the area and wayside boards helped tell the story. Certainly glad I came across this gem. read more

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A great quick escape from a busy world. Nice hiking trails and ample parking. So many different trails to take read more

Watchung Reservation - Snow covered - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

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My husband and I went hiking on the sunny New Years Day of 2017! It was also my first hiking in the winter. I loved how I could look though the trees and there weren't any annoying bugs. However, it was very wet and muddy but didn't stop people from coming here. It must be the most people that we saw so far in this reservation. read more

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Nice location for a quick or long hike. Went with my friends two dogs and walked a short trail around the lake. Parking was close by. Wasn't too crowded on a Saturday afternoon. There were even a couple picnic tables along the lakeside. Wish we had time to stroll a little longer. We went in September and it wasn't a good time to see the "waterfall dam". read more

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Excellent park with several trails to hike. Longest is 6 miles. The trails go down by the water to a flowing dam which is really pretty. You will Definitely get a workout if you walk up and down to the water. They have camping - great to walk dogs. Park is neat and clean with a watch out for bears pamphlet! read more

Came here yesterday for the first annual Barn-B-Q and it was such an amazing experience and well planned event. Choices were 10, 6, 3, or 2 miles further split to different running paces or a hike. My friend and I chose the 3 mile hike. The scenery here is so nice, trail was mapped out well (only got lost once!), and we finished with a BBQ, beer, and games! Would definitely come back to hike on my own, with friends, and for next year's event :) read more

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Love, love, love this reservation! Great trails to get some great exercise. Pet friendly but make sure you keep your dogs on a leash if possible. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Great picnicking area and some cool sites to check out while there. Walk around the lake for a romantic stroll. ENJOY! read more

So much to do here! Great hiking, an amazing playground, the 'Deserted Village', lots of activities. Great time!!!

I love this park! It's a really great place to go for trail running as there are many different trails and they're all at different difficulties and terrain. It's a very family-friendly park as well and you see people of all ages enjoying the areas around here. A word of the wise though, some paths are frequented by horses and one must pay attention to where they step... read more

Watchung Reservation - Beautiful trails! - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

great historic park great hiking spot lots of great places to get nature photos or just take in nature read more

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This is great park to have your next family/friends or office get together. Park has few good trail with moderate level of difficulty. Lot of open grounds and kids were able to play cricket, throw ball et. al. In the nearby we could see an other group having a birthday party for a little girl and they had hired pony rides, face painting and magic shows. So you can ideally go for small picnic to large gatherings in this park. You can reserve your spots in the state park website. read more

Great place for a walk. A lot of history and variation in geography. Descent size. The museum and historic trail tell about the past of the reservation. read more

Watchung Reservation - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

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The Great Swamp is a great place to hike and enjoy nature. There are 8 miles of easy trails which are marked. It can get a bit buggy and soggy, but after all it lives up to its name. It's dog friendly, but if you have white dogs who like mud....well they will love it here after a rain. My favorite part is what's next door, the Raptor trust. Last time I was here we saw some Wild Turkeys crossing the street. read more

A really nice and scenic area to jog, bike, or hike around at. Even the roads that lead up to, and within this area are scenic as well. There are some really nice places to visit while you're in this reservation too. Additionally, the picnic area looks good. You'll definitely enjoy coming here! read more

Watchung Reservation is a large, sprawling nature reservation snuggled in the middle of suburban life. There are many places to drive and park - then get right on a track and wander your way around, getting lost, but never too lost. There are many different charted courses for you to follow, and they are marked clearly on trees as you walk around. A few of them take you into traffic, crossing a street or walking along the street till they take you back in the woods. I went six miles with my friend on Sunday (Mother's Day 2015) and it was gorgeous. The sun was hot, the breeze was cool, and by the time we got back to the car - we were pleasantly spent but not overly hot or tired. I love hiking. read more

The Watchung Reservation is a bit of nature's heaven right here amongst hustle and bustle of the New Jersey suburbs. And the science center is perfect for children and adults to learn about nature and the local wildlife. Try the trails for great hike with our without the dogs. They can be muddy after a rain, but a lot of fun. read more

I came here with a friend to take photos and have a relaxing Sunday. This reservation was wonderful, the autumn colors make the long walks very enjoyable. Unfortunately one of the lakes were drained because it did not meet code regulations which is the only reason I won't rate it 5 stars. The people here were very friendly, everyone was helpful to point you into the right direction if you got lost. It's a good place to go for a run or take in the nature with some family or friends. As far as spots for the photography lovers, there are plenty of areas that you can capture. The deserted village was very eerie especially this time of year. I definitely would like to see what this place looks like during the winter after some snow fall. read more

This is the place to hike where-in spite of Route 78-you still feel you're in the woods. Great trails I've hiked before and never get tired of. I also love the new playground and the Science Center that my son enjoys. The County also hosts nature-oriented programs that are good for the family. And the cool thing it's only 15 minutes away! read more

Always a fun time here for a walk. They have lots of trails which could use better markings but overall paths are well carved out. They have a swing set for kids also and open fields for sports or family portraits. The leaves turned really nice in the fall. They have a lake as well which can look mucky. Overall this is a great hiking mountain. read more

My absolute favorite spot in this area of New Jersey. Great for unwinding. Great for hiking. I get a great workout and a nice place to spend time alone with my thoughts. read more

Watchung Reservation - One of the lakes at Watchung Reservation. - Parks Near Me - Mountainside, New Jersey

My first time here last week for a 10 mile trial race. The reservation was a beautiful oasis. The white trail was challenging for running. The trail varied from dirt to rocky and there were a few tough hills mixed in at different points. I liked the Deserted Village area. If I was not running a race I would have liked to spend some time reading the informational signs placed around the area. Passed a few cemetary plots and a beautiful lakeland many streams. A beautiful spot to explore right off Route 22 and I-78. read more

The Watchung Reservation is the perfect place to go for a casual hike on a nice day. Beautiful woods and also historic sights to see as you're hiking. read more

Very beautiful and clean! My boyfriend and I walked 4 miles on a beautiful Easter Sunday morning. Surprise lake is beautiful and there are many turtles in the water. It is a very pet friendly area and I've noticed many dog owners leaving their dogs unleashed. Beware to those afraid of dogs! read more

The map they give you at the trail center must have been created by a 5 year old. It bear no relation to the actual trail system in the park. You might get lost and die if you rely on that map. Absolutely horrible. read more

The signage is the worst. WTF. Try to find your way around while arriving is a disaster.

Once I found a vine here when I was a kid and started swinging on it like Tarzan. Sadly this vine fell after a hurricane. This is a good place to take your dog everyday. read more

It's hard to believe that a place like this exists such a very short distance from all the hustle and bustle of Central NJ, but it does & it has something for practically everyone. There are a multitude of trails and other spots to truly enjoy nature, even just to take a book and sandwich to a simple picnic spot. Or for something a little more substantial there are other options - Trailside Center is great for all ages but especially younger children and the Historic, Deserted Village of Feltville is an interesting, slightly spooky way to look into the past. Whatever you choose, you will be surrounded by miles of natural beauty and the serenity of the woods, and you can spend all day "lost" or just a couple of hours to recharge your own batteries. read more