Love going for a hike here with the doggies !!! Great elevation and breathtaking views !! Lots of…read moreshade from all the beautiful trees

This review is specifically for the dog park as I've come here twice in the past two months just…read morefor that. I had to meet some family halfway to drop a few items and this park ended up being the halfway for me. It's pretty convenient off of Route 3, and only minutes away from the Garden State Parkway. Additionally, it's only 15 mins or so away from the American Dream mall. The park is huge, most of which I've yet to explore (including the views of the NYC skyline). The dog park is just past the first parking lot (I believe the main lot) you see. You can park on the street (there are two huge spots) right in front of the dog parks or you can park in the parking lot and walk right down the hill towards the dog park. There are two dog parks - one for small dogs and the other for larger dogs. Both look equivalent, except one is obviously bigger. My dog was mostly sniffing the leaves that fell in the fall and perhaps has gotten to the age where he's uninterested in anything outside of sniffing things. For younger, more active dogs, this is a fun place to just play. You can definitely give your dog some good exercise going up and down ladders and such. The people also are pretty nice and the dog park is largely clean. People do pick up their poop, which is very important. This is a pretty good place to let your dog loose for a bit.

(Update) So happy, the walking bridge has finally reopened…read more Viewing the falls from the bridge is an impressive experience. Fun Fact- The Falls: A 77-foot-high waterfall on the Passaic River, second only to Niagara Falls in volume east of the Mississippi. The Great Falls of Paterson is even more impressive to see after a major rainstorm. The falls are more immense and you'll get spritzed. LOL... In the winter time, You can see the falls in a frozen state. An absolutely mesmerizing experience. Hope you enjoy the photos from all seasons.

The waterfall itself has an impressive amount of water, but everything else was disappointing…read more The biggest issue was the condition of the river. There was floating trash everywhere, a lot of foam on the surface, muddy brown water, and a strong unpleasant smell. Instead of enjoying the scenery, I just wanted to leave. Parking was also difficult, especially during busy hours. I understand this is a historic landmark, but based on my experience, it wasn't worth the drive. The waterfall has potential, but the cleanliness and overall maintenance really need improvement.

This is one of my favorite local hikes. Its not too far of a drive if you are coming from Bergen…read moreCounty like myself. Upon arrival there is a pretty decent size lot with a good amount of parking. I have never had an issue finding a spot. The hikes are pretty calm with nothing being too strenuous. But you can still get a good hike in. There is a huge lake, a waterfall, some old foundations, a few old tanks, and a dam. So there is a lot to see here. There is even one point where you can see what appears to be an old jeep off one of the trails. This is a good hike if you want to get a good walk in without it being to tough. There is also plenty to see throughout the hikes.

This is our first hike that we took in NJ and although we did not see any bears (thankfully!!) - my…read morehusband did pull out a huge dog tick which was making its way into my skin!! This was absolutely my nightmare come true and I am partially to blame for because I did not spray an insect repellant. I also did not wear clothing that covered my stomach (it was hot!). Anyways, apart from that little scare, it was a beautiful hike. There are a few different trails (based on difficulty) which are detailed on a billboard at the entrance. There are a ton of squirrels and chipmunks running around...like A TON! So don't get scared and think it's a bear. The Butler Reservoir is a beautiful scenery and you can take some awesome pictures! Also, the trail itself is pretty rocky. TIPS: *Wear good hiking shoes, there are some steep/slippery areas and it's rocky most of the way. *Spray insect repellant, inspect your exposed skin for ticks AND take a shower right after you get home. Remove the tick very slowly to prevent the head from breaking off. *If you see a bear - DO NOT RUN! Scream and make yourself appear bigger/more scary by waving hands. *Take a lot of beautiful pictures! *Plan and follow the trail. The trail is available on google maps if you ever get lost and there are color coded markings on the trees throughout the hike. And most importantly - HAVE FUN!

Located in Woodland Park, Garret Mountain Reservation is a wonderful urban park. While they are…read moreneither as intense nor as remote as the Appalachian Trail, they do provide good terrain for a short walk, which my partner and I did today. Barbour Pond is a 1-mile (2,500-step) route with an elevation gain of about 0 ft and is rated as easy. The path has lots of ledges to sit on and watch nature. Today the landscape was dominated by people enjoying a beautiful low humidity, clear blue sky with a picnic, photo enthusiasts taking pictures of birds, or fishermen casting for some trout. It's a great place to unwind and enjoy nature.

On our random visit, entrances to the Lambert Castle and Tower were closed, but the road was open…read more We were able to admire this lovely structure from outside. Our intention anyway was to go hiking. That was accomplished. From the area of the tower, which sits higher than the castle, some panoramic views can be seen ofthe surrounding cityscape. You can also find other hiking trails that lead you further along the hilltop. A perfectly beautiful day also makes this spot... - lovely for a picnic - picturesque for a photoshoot - ideal for a background in your vlog - an escape from the noise of a busy week - nice for a nap or daydream - sweet for something romantic - zen for meditation

I took a tour of Lambert Castle a couple days prior and felt the need to explore the tower up the…read morehill. It was beautiful! Elegant stone work. A trellis covered in vines. Views of nature all the way to NYC that would've been glorious many decades ago. The valley is a bit over developed now, but still impressive. This tower would've been an extension of the extravagant home below. Just walking around it gives you a sense of power and incorporation into nature on this unique mountain in the middle of a densely populated city. Garret mountain, holds this gem, and many others. Well worth a visit!

A gorgeous walk, about .8 miles of pavement and then a grassy path that continues towards route 3…read more The path follows the old Morris Canal. Bikes are permitted for the .8 paved section, there were some offshoots from the main trail where it looked like you could take a mountain bike. Dogs are permitted as well. I saw many birds, squirrels and even a young buck scratching the velvet off his horns in someone's back yard. I did the full length and back for a nice 1.6 mile walk.

Great place for a stroll, jog or hike w friends and family. Awesome learning center and wild life…read moreexhibits to explore.

Part of the Bergen County Park System, the J.A. Mcfaul Envirinmental Center is an education and…read morewildlife oasis in an otherwise suburban community. The center features both an indoor and outdoor experience. The outdoor experience offers well maintained nature trails which circumvent a large duck pond where you wild find swans, turtles, waterlillies and other wildlife. A beautiful gazebo overlooks the pond and is surrounded by flowerbeds. Hiking along the lake trail will take you to a two story observation deck. Many people use the paved entrance road to walk or jog. It is a one mile go-around with many joggers the day I visited. For those interested in an up close look at a red-tailed hawk, owls, pigeons and a red fox, the center has caged environments especially for that purpose. The indoor environmental center is a good sized facility designed to educate visitors about native fauna and flora. There are two main rooms. The room off the looby has a variety of fis tanks displaying turtles, snakes, frogs, etc.. Educational displays feature charts, photos, taxidermy and artifacts. I particularly liked the bear display. Adjacent to this room is the observatory room. Large windows give you an opportunity to view the duck pond and wildlife. This room has displays ranging from bats, bees, trees, etc.. Well maintained restrooms are available. In summary. While this is not comparable to a large zoo. it has many things to look at and experience for a well spent morning or afternoon. The facility is free of charge.

I've enjoyed many a beautiful day there with my family. The trampoline and water slide are great…read moreadditions along with kayak and paddle boat rentals. The beach is beautiful white sand and the water is tested daily for bacteria. There has been success with deterring Canadian geese from taking over. It was one of the best surprises about moving into this town.

I don't think this is a public lake like Lake Parsippany…read more At Lake Parsippany, you can walk around the lake, enjoy the scenery, and stop at different viewpoints. But this lake seems to be accessible only to members, so you can't really go inside unless you have access. There is, however, a small park-like area along the roadside with about 5-6 benches where you can sit and enjoy the lake view. It's a peaceful little spot if you just want to relax for a while. There's also a gravel parking area nearby, making it easy to pull over, sit on one of the benches, and admire the view. While you can't explore the lake itself, it's still a nice place for a quick stop and some quiet time.