What an interesting place, rich in history and surrounded by nature. If you enjoy varied elevation, it's a wonderful place to hike. Unfortunately, there are quite a few dog walkers near the entrance who don't always clean up but once you're in the woods, it's fine. I've seen a lot of trails over the years, especially when I was in better shape but this was the first time I've come across a can of pepper spray on the ground. It made me wonder, was that for people or bears? I definitely need to get in better shape so I'm not huffing and puffing on the hills but it's worth it. I also enjoy how close you can get to the water. read more

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PROS: Great history here and the paths are clear. Some of the buildings are renovated and its free CONS: Most of the buildings are not suitable to enter and those that are, are still under construction. There isn't much to do here either OVERALL: If you're in the area you might as well come here and enjoy a hike, but don't expect to see museum site quality buildings read more

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It's a fun, informative, walk with some trails in the woods. This seems to be focusing more on the historical town than the hikes. I do wish you could go into the buildings more often, I have seen some events where you can tour them, but it's just too infrequent. It's a very friendly area for walking and easy to do if you stay on the trails. Some of the wooded trails can wind around, so take a picture of the map or keep one on hand before you decide to venture off. read more

This was such a pleasant surprise. One of my best friends on the planet lives in Union and she found this hidden gem a little while back and surprised me this weekend while I was visiting. My only regret is that I wasn't wearing the proper footwear for a hike but I will definitely be back. Another reason we didn't go for a hike is that my friend got spooked because upon entering the park, there was a sign that indicated Bears were recently sighted - so now you're aware. But go! read more

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Great place to visit and learn some history! Lots of awesome trails to explore. Learning about this settlement is worth your time! read more

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This is a pleasant little outpost that helps highlight just how big W reservation is. It's not particularly interactive so I don't think it's great for kids, except to walk around and read a little. In that same vain it's about as good for adults. read more

Feltville Historic District - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

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Everyone can enjoy the trails and sights along in this beautiful area in located within Watchung Reservation. The parking is free, the trails can be muddy at times but are clearly made and wide enough to navigate easily. Feltville, which you may have caught in a Weird NJ magazine (or on the site) is known also as the "Deserted Village". The town is old, dating back to the early 1700s. Over time the legends have grown about the area surrounding the town, such as the woods around it known as the "Enchanted Forrest," or the tales of Satanists or witches meeting there. The old houses of course are no stranger to the tales of ghosts haunting them and being seen from windows. To me, the most unfortunate side of the story is the real disrepair and crumbling houses in Feltville. This old town, with houses more than a hundred plus years old are caving in, falling apart and slowly eroding. While these homes were built to last, nothing can stop the forces of nature. (As I'm writing this, NJ is #7 on the most taxed state in the US) There is an open bathroom located near the small cemetery and there are many placards to read about the history of the area as well. read more

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I walked into this place for the first time alone and as I started to see old run down antique homes, I decided that it was not a good idea for me to walk this place alone. I didn't want any of the Spirits of this hunted place (if any) to follow me home and wake me up in the middle of the night, no way Jose. I could feel a very different vibe here, not a pleasant one, it was intimidating, so after walking inside maybe 1.5 miles, I decided to head back out. Okay, maybe one day, I will give it a try if is earlier than 4 pm and with friends, not alone. Trust me, I am cautious enough to track and keep my security measures and back up help wherever I go. Yes, there is a lot of History and things to explore here, if you do it with a group and during earlier hours of the days. I really don't know too much about Spirits and I do not want to know, or like I say, take a chance of having Spirits follow me home. No, thank you. read more

The Delaware Indians called the Watchung Mountains, "Wach Unks" or in their language high hills. It is here where Peter and Phebe Willcocks and members of the Badgley family settled in the early 1700's. Peter Willcocks an Englishman came to the area from Long Island in 1736 and operated a saw mill. The area of their homestead came to be know as Peter's Hill and it is where their cemetery plots are located today. If you visit Feltville don't miss the interesting headstones which are located behind the church/general store. Peter Willcocks and members of the Badgley family are buried in the cemetery. Peter Willcocks was part of the "Light Horse Brigade" and served in the Revolutionary War. The village has a long and complex history which dates back to the Lenni Lenape Indians and continues up and till the present. In 1845 David Felts settled the area building a mill on the Blue Brook to manufacture wood pulp for his printing business. The village once was populated by 175 people, English, Irish and German workers, some indentured servants. It's often called the Deserted Village which gives it a Weird New Jersey aura. After Willcocks came Felt who bought the property from Willcock's descendants and also operated a mill and built housing for 175 people who worked at the mill. David Felt built housing for his employees as well as a school for their children.. After David Felts came William Ackerman who created a summer resort called Glenside Park in 1850 but it too failed as people began to prefer the New Jersey shore. In the 1920's the Union County Park Commission purchased the property. Restoration of the houses on the property is ongoing with the Masker's Barn and the church/general store, the second building when you enter the deserted village getting the first attention. In 1980 the Feltville Historic District was listed on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historical Places. Free self-guided tours are available year round but they do not allow you to see the inside of the buildings. Guided tours are also free and seasonal and begin at 2:30 pm. They begin at the church/general store and are free and about 45 minutes long. Brochures can be picked up at the kiosk in the parking area. The parking lot is where the schoolhouse once existed.. .The place is claimed to be haunted as a result of three young girls who disappeared in 1912 after camping in the Watchung Forest. It's a 4 Star experience for history enthusiasts who will enjoy the Revolutionary War headstones and the many information boards which are scattered through- out the property. read more

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Cool place to explore! Rich in history and tons of trails, just be careful because the markings on the trees are kind of confusing. We expected a fairly easy hike, but ended up circling around for a few hours. Definitely try to go on a dryer day too - the trails were very marshy and flooded in some places. I would definitely recommend taking a map and wearing water resistant shoes. I appreciate the access to bathrooms and a water fountain! read more

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Accessible, easy to find, available parking on and off street in addition to the fact that it's an amazing short hike with magnificent structures & nature. Area is perfect for Biking too read more

Feltville Historic District - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

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After visiting the Trailside Center many times over the years, Feltville was an unexpected pleasure to find & it's even better to know it's within a short drive of my home so I can hopefully go back often and even experience the leaves changing color. You do need to watch closely for the Cataract Hollow/Watchung Reservation sign by the side of the road, otherwise it's easy to miss the small parking lot. However once you locate that it's a very moderate walk along a mostly paved trail to get to the welcome center and the rest of the village. You can veer of the main trail and visit the old cemetery or one of the other "side" trails into the woods if are feeling adventurous and want to spend more time. Once you leave the parking lot, it's wonderfully peaceful and serene in the village & there are benches/spots to sit long the way so I found myself wanting to linger. Our first stop was the visitor's center, and we enjoyed reading some history (who knew they filmed part of a movie in the village?!) and looking at the old pictures displayed. They have a little old fashioned school scene set up there and kids seem to enjoy that. We then walked to Masker's Barn and back, stopping along the way to spot interesting birds and trees. In one place, we saw that someone had carved a chair into a massive tree trunk and another tree had decades of lover's initials carved into it. While a few of the cottages are marked as private residences, you can get closer looks at the "deserted" ones though they are in such disrepair it's not safe to get too close. It seems that the restoration of the village is a work in progress mainly reliant on volunteers so it will be nice to see the progress they make with it. It has great potential and I could almost see it eventually becoming something along the lines of East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway, where you can visit the inside of the Feltville cottages someday and perhaps even see exhibits on local history. All in all, it's quite nice to disconnect and spend some quiet time in the woods, taking a step back in time and even letting your imagination run a bit wild about what - or who - you might find roaming around. I think if you adjust your expectations accordingly, you will find Feltville definitely worthwhile to visit. read more

Feltville Historic District - Feltville Visitor's Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

It's just something to do if your board. Wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. There's a lot of walking and incline. No bathrooms, so bring tissue Incase you have to pee somewhere. There's about 5 abandoned houses in total. One house has a so called ghost with a flicking light on the outside porch. Lots of hiking trails behind the abandoned homes. Parking isn't easy to find so get there early or be prepared to wait a little while for a spot to open. read more

History and Mystery The deserted village or the Feltville/Glenside Park is one of 25 historic sites across Union County. Some also refer to it as Peter's Hill. Peter Willcocks and his wife Phebe Badgley Willcocks settled in the area and gave the place its first name. Later it became Feltville when David Felt bought the land. Eventually it became a summer resort - as cities were deemed unhealthy during summer - and became Glenside Park. The Glenside Park resort owners did not tear down the building but gave them a face-lift. So the buildings that you would see would, I guess, date back to the mid-1700's. There are headstones in a cemetery with the same day that suggest some people died on the same day. Rumors hold that the Willcocks may have converted their mill to a covert gun powder factory to supply George Washington's army. Could there have been an accident? I would imagine that after dark the place would assume the atmosphere for the Haunted Hayrides during Halloween. But you don't need to conjure up spirits to enjoy the place. There is a self guided walking tour that you can take. You can relax at one of the benches and wonder what people did during the day when they walked these same paths and lived in these houses. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can, I have read, take part in guided tours and view exhibits in the restored Church/Store. We went on a weekend and could not figure it out. If you choose to visit I would suggest read about the place a bit before you go. There are a number of PDF files available on the internet. The parking was free when I went. There is a clean restroom with a pay phone during the park hours. If go there to enjoy a day in the sunshne you will enjoy the place. read more

A great hidden gem in Union County. I love exploring the Watchung area, and this is one of my favorite spots. It's really interesting to learn the history of the place too. Also they hold some really fun events, especially in the fall! read more

Interesting and fun to explore. Information boards were very helpful as there is no one really around. Shows us how life was in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Limited hours. read more

Four stars may be a bit high for Union County's Deserted Village but the surrounding land is genuinely beautiful.The buildings themselves are not in good shape and there is only one you can go into.If you had to pay ,I'd take it down a star or two.You could spend a long time on the various trails or just walk to where the buildings are and around them which will take less than an hour.What is amazing about this place is , it seems so isolated but is only minutes from RT 78,RT 22 and the downtown's of Summit and New Providence.Got to the graveyard up the hill behind the visitors center.Aim for good weather- it rained hard while we were there.We took shelter on a porch of one of the houses.there is also an event space here you can rent. read more

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This place is excellent if you want to be surrounded by nature, and if you want to see how the early settlers lived.

Such a cool place to wander around. Super informative and interesting pamphlets distributed by Union county can be picked up near the entrance and are worth a read. After exploring the village you can check out some of the surrounding trails and paths. Could make for a full day trip or just a pleasant afternoon. read more