South Mountain Reservation
Get Directions
Park Overview:
Wooded hiking trails, picnic areas, and views are the main reasons for South Mountain Reservation’s popularity.
Park Description:
Wooded hiking trails, picnic areas, and views are the main reasons for South Mountain Reservation's popularity. The park's 2,100 acres contain five marked hiking trails, miles of carriage roads and bridle paths, views of falls, millponds, a popular dog park (GPS: 40.739838, -74.289856), and - off in the distance - the Manhattan skyline. Two year-round skating rinks, the Turtle Back Zoo, and horseback riding also draw people to the reservation.
Trails Overview:
The five trails ranging from 1.2 to 6.0 miles combine for 19 miles. In addition there are 27 miles of carriage roads for jogging, horseback riding, & cross-country skiing. The longest trail in the reservation is the Lenape Trail [yellow blaze].
Click here for our description of a hike at this park.
Park Acreage:
2110.00 acresMunicipality:
West OrangeWooded hiking trails, picnic areas, and views are the main reasons for South Mountain Reservation’s popularity.
Wooded hiking trails, picnic areas, and views are the main reasons for South Mountain Reservation's popularity. The park's 2,100 acres contain five marked hiking trails, miles of carriage roads and bridle paths, views of falls, millponds, a popular dog park (GPS: 40.739838, -74.289856), and - off in the distance - the Manhattan skyline. Two year-round skating rinks, the Turtle Back Zoo, and...
Park Acreage:
2110.00 acresMunicipality:
West OrangeContact Information
Web Link:
Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural AffairsPhone:
(973) 268-3500Fees:
NoneDogs in park:
Dogs on leash
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take Route 280 West to Exit 7/Pleasant Valley Way. Turn left onto Pleasant Valley Way and the reservation is straight ahead. Valley View Drive and Cherry Lane -- GPS Coordinates: 40.763791, -74.287926
- Public transportation: Take NJ Transit's Morristown Line to Millburn Station for the southern trailheads in South Mountain Reservation. NJ Transit Bus #73 runs along the northern end of the reservation.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Take NJ Transit's Morristown Line to Millburn Station for the southern trailheads in South Mountain Reservation.
BUS TRANSPORT :
NJ Transit Bus #73 runs along the northern end of the reservation.
Support the trails with a donation!Trip Reports
rate experienceCheck out this nice article on the reservation. The author also mentions the Lenape Trail, a Trail Conference project: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/nyregion/south-mountain-reservation-in-essex-county-nj.html
From the New York Times:
"MILLBURN, N.J. — Intricate little fairy houses started appearing in the woods of South Mountain Reservation here about five years ago.
They were delicate creations made largely of the natural materials one might find in the woods: a chair seat made of an acorn, a ladder of twigs, a seat back fashioned from a fungus fan, a sofa cushioned with moss.
And they mainly dotted a part of the Rahway Trail in Locust Grove, a short walk from downtown Millburn that draws dog walkers and runners from the surrounding towns.
There were 20 to 30 of them, new ones replacing old ones over the years, discreetly tucked in a tree hollow or artfully incorporated into a root. They all had a similar enchanting style and looked like the work of one person, but nobody seemed to know exactly who."
To continue the article follow this link