This is an amazing hike! It's almost all shaded and once you climb the rocks, straight up on blue, it's quite an easy hike. Guys we hiked blue to purple to blue to orange (which comes back to blue and the parking lot) and it took 2 hours and 3 miles. We met people who thought the whole thing took 45 minutes and had the water to go with that. This is an intermediate hike and you really need the water, as well as trail map or at least pic of trail map, to make it happily. We met so many lost people on the trail. It's not marked as well as you think. Also we took the pup who thought lake at first sight, meant jump. Pro tip; keep them out of the lake. It's full of stagnant water and stinking mud. Your nose will thank me. Instead enjoy the bubbly creek crossing before and after the hike. read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Tripod rock - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

The fam was looking to take advantage of this beautiful fall weather that we have been having. I recalled doing this hike a number of years ago and enjoyed it, so decided to give it another try. The parking lot was not the biggest, but there seemed to be many spots on the street. Fortunately we were able to find a spot in the lot though. It is dog friendly, so we brought our little guy too. Since the my younger son is only 7 we decided to do the hike (blue trail) to Tripod rock and back, which is about 3 miles. It does have some incline, but didn't receive any complaints about this from the fam. Also there are a bunch of stones on the hiking path, so be careful not to trip. The trail is marked well (apart from one point towards the tripod rock where it splits) so we were able to get to our destination fairly easily. It wasn't too crowded, which was nice. read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

Great dog friendly mountain with a few different options for hiking. I was using a different app to find a trail which provided some contrary info so I ended up just following the blue trail. The parking lot held plenty of cars and there were a few porto-potties. It starts off really pretty and takes you up and down the mountain. A few areas required some agility so I don't think I'd recommend for seniors or kids. It comes down the mountain and you can see a lake or a reservoir. I was able to see some joggers on the lower path. The whole thing took me about an hour and 15 minutes. I was looking at the map when I was done and saw that I could have followed a different path that had ruins. I would have liked to see that but I probably would have gotten lost that way! read more

See all

Since they've changed trail blaze, it's not as good as it was. Everything is a blue trail. And not as fun /challenging as it used to be where you can do all combos to make it a good hike. Wish they would bring back the old trails. Why was it changed to begin with? read more

See all

The area features unusual glacial erratics, dramatic rock outcrops, extensive wetlands, waterfalls, and several scenic overlooks - including views of the Manhattan skyline. How about Tripod Rock, a 160-ton boulder resting atop three smaller boulders? between how it's resting on three small rocks. *thinking *. let me google, ok found it. Roughly 18,000 years ago, the receding Wisconsin Glacier shaped the unusual glacial erratics found here, like Tripod Rock (a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller boulders) and Bear Rock (one of the largest in New Jersey, and I have also attached a pic) The trail system here is good for beginning hikers but interesting enough for experienced ones. To create longer loops, connect the trails with Turkey Mountain, the two trailheads are across the street from the parking lot. The park's highest point is 934 feet, with a magnificent view of the New York City skyline. This hike is for all people, with all levels of fitness. The route includes some moderate elevation gain with huge rock outcroppings. You'll need the trail map for this hike, especially if it is your first time visiting the park. Start at the trail kiosk (where there are typically free trail maps) and follow the Mennen Trail (Blue) over the footbridge. My suggestion would be - stick to the trail which you are following. read more

See all

Such a beautiful place for a hike. I recently learned of pyramid mountain and got a chance to check it out this morning, and I had an amazing time here. There's many trails to choose from (although most trails connect) and you can definitely get a good workout in. Today I did the tripod rock hike (blue/yellow/white trails) to reach tripod rock (photo-worthy) and then took the white and orange trails along the lake (also beautiful) to get back to my starting point. It was a moderate hike and about 5 miles long with some rock-climbing included but definitely worth it. I arrived Sunday around 8:15am and the lot was already half full. I'll definitely be coming back on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds I saw today, but highly recommend checking out. read more

See all

The home of the famed pyramid rock. Great local hiking trails, well marked. Parking might be difficult on a nice sunny day but plenty of street parking available. Trails are medium difficult and the views are awesome. read more

Landed on pyramid mountain after our first choice was closed. Packed parking lot with a ton of inexperienced hikers. Walked the path and was getting slightly frustrated when people wouldn't move to the side. So be prepared for a crowd in the beginning. We followed the blue trail up to Pyramid and then back the red/white. All in all it was a 4.5 mile loop. One overlook (high tension wires in the distance) and the pyramid Rock were pretty cool. Other than that typical woods. There were some areas that would be difficult for someone without some experience and the trails were hard to follow especially later in the hike. read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Overlook with NYC skyline in distance - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

This park offers over 6 miles of blazed trails with an elevation change of a couple hundred feet. If you do the large loop you can hit 5 miles pretty easily. At least half of the trails take you up, down and across rocky areas, they're called glacial erratics, a fun challenge for kids, a threat of an ankle twist for adults! There's not much of a view from the top of whale head rock, the trees are too thick. The parking lot on Boonton Ave holds maybe 30 cars, it was no problem to get a spot on a weekday, but I bet it fills on weekends. There's also a visitor center but we didn't try to go in. As others have said here, there was very little trash, kudos to the volunteers and the Morris County Park commission for maintaining this park. The map boxes were empty here. I highly recommend you download the All trails app on your phone, that had a good nap for this park. The map at the base said there are ruins of a Morgan house, but on the trail there was no sign and we never found the ruins. Maybe they're too ruined :-) read more

Their Visitor Center provides a great over view of the historical, geological and cultural significance of the area. Information, artifacts, rocks and minerals, taxidermy, fauna and flora enhance the hiking experience. Additionally, trail maps outlining each of the 6 trails in terms of the degree of difficulty, distance of the hike and approximate time it takes to complete the hike are displayed on the wall in a professionally created information board. A naturalist is on hand to answer any other questions you might have. The maximum elevation is 932 feet. The major rock formation on the surface is composed of gneiss, granite and puddingstone. Glacial erratics like Tripod rock and Bear rock, one of the largest erratics in NJ can be seen on the trail. Also enjoy water falls, a view of the NYC skyline, a quartz quarry, glacial melt water channels, ruins, streams lakes and swamps. It's amazing to know that the rocks which are now on the surface were once 13 miles below the surface. Equally amazing is the fact that 12,000 years ago, the Wisconsin glacier in this area was 10,000 feet high. read more

See all

I am really glad I stumbled upon Pyramid Mountain! My husband and I stopped for a hike here before heading to Conklin Farm. There are a few different (clearly marked) trails you can hike to different parts of the mountain. We hiked up the blue trail which had a bit of an incline, but nothing too difficult. There are many rocks and exposed roots so be careful where you step. There are some overlook spots on the blue trail that are beautiful to see. You can even see the NYC skyline. If you take the blue trail to the white trail you'll come across Tripod Rock. Tripod Rock is a large rock that balances on 3 smaller rocks. It's pretty cool to see. When we arrived at the rock there was a crowd of people but everyone took turns taking pictures and enjoying the sight. For our journey back, we walked further up the white trail which met up with the orange trail. The orange trail is parallel with the reservoir and it's beautiful to see, especially in the fall! The orange trail meets up with the yellow, then the blue, and then you are back at the visitor center parking lot. Our hike was a leisurely 2 hours and there were so many different sights to see. I can't wait to go back and check out the other trails and see Bear Rock! read more

See all

Looking to enjoy the beautiful weather and some fall foliage headed to Pyramid Mountain with my family. If you've never been here make sure to stop in the visitors center first. The people that work here are awesome and so helpful. They can help you plan a route and let you know about the wildlife that's been hanging around. There are bear and rattlesnakes everywhere in the area so keep your eyes open. We started out on the blue trail to see Bear Rock and switched to the white trail to see Tripod Rock. From the parking lot to Tripod Rock is about a mile and a half. I know a lot of reviews mention this is a beginner hike but I think it was slightly challenging. There are lots of rocks to walk over and some pretty steep spots to climb up and down. That being said my 6 year old had no problem getting through any of it. We stayed on the blue trail to head back to the car because we were told the yellow trail can get challenging in some spots. Definitely wear good shoes. Preferably hiking shoes because there are so many rocks even on the flattest areas that you can trip over. Walking sticks are also a plus. If you don't have one there are plenty of good sized branches laying around as you walk. We'll definitely be back to check out the other trails. read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Tripod Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

Decent hiking experience. It is just perfect for beginner hikers. My friends and I tried the Blue Trail. It was mostly trees and rocks. Be careful! Make sure your eyes are opened at all times looking ahead for the color stamps on the tree. View is okay. Trails do merge with one another so feel free to explore. read more

See all

I came here for a winter hike and even if the terrain was very muddy from the previous rain it was still very pretty. The trails are very well marked so it's easy to keep track of your hike and not get lost. There weren't that many people hiking but I'm guessing it had to do with the prior rain. read more

See all

Great place to hike, with well marked trails and excellent trail maps. Come during the week and you'll have the trails to yourself. If you're visiting on a weekend and opt to hike to Pyramid Rock, be prepared to have a bit of company along the way. This place can get some trail traffic (hikers) on weekends and the parking lot fills up quickly. The staff in the visitor center are extremely knowledgeable, friendly & helpful. The displays inside are great for kids of all ages. There is also a restroom here, which is great for before or after your hike. I prefer hiking on the Turkey Mountain side of the park - solitude, quiet and nature awaits. Please leave no trace, the beauty of this hidden gem so close to NYC needs to be preserved in its natural state for others to enjoy. read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Autumn shadows - Turkey Mountain Yellow Trail - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

Really enjoyed this hiking spot. Good views, pretty lake, overlook and not crowded. There is also tripod rock which is really interesting. I would definitely check this place out read more

See all

What can I say? We had a good hike here before Morris County shut it down. There's lots of great trails here, some better than others. We stuck to the perimeter of the park and ended up on some pretty Rocky areas that required a lot of climbing. I would call them a bit strenuous as in If I were a person who was off-balance, I would not want to do them. read more

Awesome hiking spot. There are hikes of different lengths and for various ability levels. Parking can get crowded on gorgeous days, but it's usually not too much of an issue. It's nice and cool in the woods even on hot days. read more

Probably one of the better hikes I've been on in north Jersey. Unfortunately, I didn't choose the best time to come (I went on a Saturday afternoon in January)... brrrr! But I would like to come back again in the fall. We followed the blue path. I'm a beginner and was able to get through just fine. There were a couple challenging parts but nothing too bad. Listen to other Yelpers when they say the area is very rocky because it is. Hiking shoes or sneakers are a must! My favorite part was the overlook that gives you a fairly clear view of the NYC skyline. Pretty neat if you ask me! Other notable things you may want to check out: a swamp, tripod rock, and Lucy's overlook. Good luck and happy hiking! read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Blue path - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Boonton, NJ (http://www.nynjtc.org/park/pyramid-mountain-1) features more than 1,500 acres of open space -- including fields, forests, streams and ponds -- and nearly 30 miles of marked hiking trails with moderate trail surface and elevation gain in the rugged New Jersey Highlands. Pyramid Mountain rises as high as 920 feet above sea level. To get to the park, take I80 West to I287 North. Take Exit 45 (Wootton St). From the ramp, take the first LEFT TURN onto Wootton St. Take Wootton St uphill and make a RIGHT TURN onto Boonton Ave (County Road 511). Follow Boonton Ave for approximately 4 miles. Pyramid Mountain Visitor Center and parking on the LEFT. Don't forget to take a free map at the visitor's center. Although the trails are well-marked, the map (http://www.morrisparks.net/maps/pdfs/06PyramidMtn.pdf) is one of the more detailed trail maps available in the Morris County parks. I recommend the following 2-hour, ~3.5 mile hike.. From the parking lot, follow the Blue trail which crosses a stream via wooden bridge and begins a short, but moderate climb to the top of the Pyramid Mountain. On a clear day, there are beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the east. Continue on the Blue trail as it flattens out and passes through a mixed hardwood forest until you come to the junction with the White trail. Take the White trail to see Tripod Rock -- an enormous 11-12 foot high boulder resting on three smaller rocks, each in a 3-4 feet in diameter. Continue past Tripod Rock on the White trail, until it intersects with the Orange trail. Take the Orange Trail. You'll quickly find yourself at a large flat rock with a fantastic view of the Reservoir -- which is a terrific spot for a brief rest. The Orange trail then descends quickly through a series of steps to the shoreline of the Reservoir. The Orange trail follows the shoreline - from being right at the waterline to finding yourself fifteen feet above the lake on a rocky ledge - and eventually intersects with the Yellow trail. Make a right onto the Yellow trail and follow the Yellow trail back to the Blue trail which you can follow back to the parking lot. read more

See all

Absolutely Beautiful! It's a bit of a hike *badum dshhh* depending on where you start and end, but it is definitely worth it! read more

See all

Very enjoyable hike. 1) Must visit if you live in NJ. For us New Jerseyans, this is one of our 7 natural wonders. 2) The hike is relatively easy. But if you want to reach the tripod rock, the distance MIGHT be SOMEWHAT of a challenge for the average person. However, trust me, I found it easy. 3) Use the blue trail to reach the tripod rock. Personally, I found it to be the best trail. But you have to use the little section of the white trail to see the tripod rock. 4) Use the orange trail to turn it into a loop, then the yellow and blue to come back to your car. Come and enjoy. read more

See all

Great county park! However in the days of COVID-19, do not go on the weekends. Dopey people are there crowding The paths without masks and failing to keep 6 feet apart. Best to go on a weekday when there are few were people around. read more

Amazing hike for beginners! Took the blue trail first, second white trail, then orange trail and finally, yellow blue trail for exit. The pictures say it all! read more

See all

A very beautiful place to hike. There's Pyramid and Turkey Mountains. The hiking is pretty easy. There isn't any exposure if heights aren't your thing. read more

Local hiking, trail markers, foraging, creeks,lakes and streams, glacier erratics and a great diversity of birds, animals, plant life

Good hike for beginners. We took the blue trail the whole way through until we found the red trail. We came across the two trees with the hole in the middle. After passing that we saw a black timber rattlesnake that was starring right at us! From then on I ran for my life back to the blue trail. The trail gives fair warning that venomous rattlesnakes do live in the area. Just be careful. read more

Very beautiful place for a hike. It's a decent hike with many trails and beautiful scenery. There are quite a few interesting rocks to see. It can get packed quick so going early is the best place. read more

This place is awesome. Several trails spin off from the parking lot. Trails are well marked and most free of clutter. You can tell the trail association maintains the trail often. You should expect several options - most trails offer a moderately challenging 3-6 mile hike, round trip. This trail is popular among locals so don't expect to be the only one enjoying nature here. There are overlooks, rivers, ponds, rock sculptures to enjoy on the trail. Don't forget to bring your dog! read more

See all

This was really nice hiking trail! Enjoyed it so much. Didn't know beautiful places existed near me! The New York Skyline can be seen from the peak! It was just so beautiful and serene. read more

See all

Pyramid Mountain is my favorite place to hike in the area. It's easy to get to, never overly crowded, and obviously provides beautiful scenery. It's not too difficult of a hike (maybe a 2.5 on a scale of 1-5) and takes me about 90 minutes to complete the loop. They provide maps of the hiking trails at the entrance, but I have to mention that my first time hiking here I got lost. Like, all the way in the middle of the woods lost. I was eventually able to find my way back to the road, and then walk Boonton Avenue the 2 miles back to the parking area, but it's still worth mentioning. Now, I hike the blue trail to Tripod Rock, then I take the yellow, then onto the white before getting back on the blue trail and going pack to the parking lot. I'd recommend Pyramid Mountain to anyone looking for a relaxing, fun hike of moderate difficulty. read more

I almost didn't make it to this park because I couldn't find it. My GPS did not get me to the park using the address above. The start of the trail is actually located around 73 Boonton Ave. I'm not sure if that's the main parking lot though, because it's pretty small. I actually had to park on the shoulder of the road across the street because there was no space (and it was raining on the day I went). Make sure you stop by the Visitor's Center because the workers are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They'll even recommend trails and tell you if there is anything you should be mindful of (like the steep decline on the Yellow trail). I went with the intention of only hiking for a hour, but ended up liking the trails and spending 3 or 4 hours out there. Tripod rock was a bit of a let down because it's not much better than the pictures posted on here, but I did get some funny photos next to it. It you're up for a bit of a hike I'd recommend the Orange trail, so you can see the reservoir. read more

One of the newer "parks" in Morris County, this location has it all. Easy trails for young children, and more mountainous trails for advanced hikers. The only thing really lacking here is parking. On a warm summers weekend, expect to park on Boonton Avenue. read more

It's a good place for hiking, there are a variety of trails, some scenic overlooks and interesting rock formations. Took us about an hour to get here from Jersey city. The hike offers some decent elevation. Experienced hikers might find it a little boring. We finished a 4.3 mile loop covering Lucy's overlook, Tripod rock, whale rock, Bear rock, Power lines and back to parking lot in 2.5 hours. read more

Pyramid Mountain is no rookie hike! Be prepared for an intense hike with highs and lows. -The trails are long and rocky. - The marking go by color, which you would think is easy to follow, but for us it really got difficult scouting for which tree stump was blue, white, etc. and maps were a little difficulty to follow, but the views and sweat you build during this hike is all worth it. -We got to see Tripod rock and worked our way back and saw 1 out of the 2 scenic views. -I would definitely be going back to see the rest of the mountain because we were unable to cover it all in one day! read more

Another weekend back in June, a group of friends and I got together for yet another hike. There was a nifty cabin visitor center with a restroom and free trail maps. We've done a relatively short one, but maybe because we had too much fun taking pictures and resting that it became a long hike. We came across the Tripod Rock and took massive pictures. My group were doing all these poses and planking on the nearby rocks. We've also left a witty sign by the Tripod Rock for fun. We made it up to a higher elevation and we were able to see the Manhattan skyline and that was by far the best thing I saw on this hike. Maybe it was the trail we had taken, but comparing this hike to the others I've done previously, I didn't favor this one as much. I know it's a hike and you're suppose to walk. However, I felt it was a lot walking up and down and more walking, but not so much other changes along the trail. There were a lot of little rocks, not pebbles, but rocks embedded all over the trail. Which to me it made it a little difficult because it's easy to trip on them since they were all over the place. We came across these colorful dragonflies and a snake, so it was pretty cool to be seeing more of nature on this trail. Perhaps, the other trails at Pyramid Mountain would be more interesting than the one my group has taken. read more

This is one of my favorite local places to hike and snowshoe. During the winter months they have snow shoes available to rent for $10 for the day on a first come first serve basis. They also require to hold a form of ID which is returned to you when you bring back the snow shoes. They always keep their maps up to day and available in a slot by the parking lot. These trails accommodate those just starting to hike to those more experienced. Tripod rock is one of their main attractions and worth the hike. They also have a very nice path along the lake front. read more

I enjoyed these trails, really great outdoor workout and nice views. Great spot for families, dogs and those just looking to take it outside read more

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area - Hiking Near Me - Boonton, New Jersey

See all

Nice trails and a great area to visit. Some of the trails are a bit strenuous but the trails are easy to find and brightly marked. Also there trail paper maps at the parking lot are useful. Plus there is tripod rock which is very cool. read more

Lots of trails of all types for all abilities. Maps at the start and color coded trails are marked. Beautiful area. Easy parking. On nice days and weekends it can fill up fast and many park on the street. Even when there are tons of cars there is enough space and trails that it doesn't feel congested. Dogs welcome on leash. Port-a potty on site. read more