Not a huge preserve, I think we did the whole trail under 30 minutes but lots of wild life and the…read moretrail was nice.

It was suggested that I write an Earth Day review of my favorite nature spot in my area, and Twin…read moreLakes easily wins the nod. It is only a dozen minutes from my front door, with easy street parking and good trails. While some parks, such as Belmont Lake, really shine during autumn, Twin Lakes is a joy in spring, with many things blooming and a new crop of water fowl. Walking along the north end of the lake, you come to a spot with a small waterfall that is perfect for keeping things in perspective. Plan ahead, because there are no restrooms here.

There's no denying that this panoramic spot in Englewood, NJ is a looker. Hudson River is in front…read moreof you- but look to your left, you'll see the River spanning way up north heading to Yonkers+ Westchester suburbs and way down south to NYC- when you look to your right. I'm not sure if there's a walking trail, but hubs and I are continuing our 'Naturalscapes' as we've been searching for walking paths or nature areas such as this one located on the Palisades Interstate Pkwy. There's enough parking, seating and a few of those outdoor viewer binoculars to see the landscape. Not sure if those binoculars are coin-operated- but it's COVID and if you're a sane person, why would you use these public binoculars??? In any case, with the exception of these boulders, leaf hedges and I think there might've been a chain link fence dividing the edge of the cliff to the walkway- hubs and I were literally standing above the world. Yes, it's a cliché, but the sight of the Hudson River from the top of Rockefeller in NJ really is great.

Rockefeller Lookout is a small roadside overlook, but the views are really impressive. You get a…read morebeautiful view of the Hudson River, the Palisades cliffs, and even parts of the New York City skyline at a distance. We stopped here for a short break and ended up spending much longer than planned. It's a great place for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset. The parking area is small but convenient for a quick stop. Free for the first 20 mins... The lookout was not that clean, and not sure why people are not using the trash. It wasn't very crowded when we visited. If you're driving along Henry Hudson Drive or exploring the Palisades, this place is definitely worth adding to your trip.

Small preserved nature area in Westport. The view is beautiful and the surroundings are tranquil…read more Easy, flat walking area with benches throughout. It is in a residential area, a small oasis. Great place to kayak in this little cove area. Limited parking spaces, no restroom, but free to enjoy.

If you already have a kayak, this is a nice launching point on the Sherwood Mill Pond. If you…read moredon't have a kayak, there's a small parking lot and garden with some educational signage about the preserve. It's easy to miss as you drive by, so go slowly. Dogs not allowed.

Surprise lake camp is great I went there as a child and…read moreteenager. My 3 daughters go there and love it. They are out in nature doing sports, hikes, boating, swimming and more. It fosters independence and builds strong friendships. There are no phones or screens for weeks.

We recently stayed at Suprise Lake Camp for a friend's wedding. We stayed 2 nights in one of the…read moreprivate cabins. The cabin was spacious and had 3 bedrooms with full size beds, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen area. Since its almost autumn, we all brought extra blankets, which we needed because it was chilly! From the moment we arrived, the staff were nice and accommodating. We had a bonfire, that staff lit and kept going throughout the night both nights that we were there. We also had meals provided in the main lodge that were good, fresh and filling. The most fun we had were the activities available. We zip lined and played soccer, kickball and volleyball. We were supposed to rock climb, but rain had us retreating to our cabins. The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time. We'd definitely come back for a family reunion or a weekend getaway with friends.

A nice experience in nature yet not being far from civilization. There's something for everyone in…read morethe family to do, fish, play tennis, be on the playground & they have a covered area

Stopped by for the first time today to take a walk around the lake and get a little exercise. They…read morehave parking lots located at both ends. They have a nice water fall at one end and at the other there is a playground and sports field. There are plenty of benches and gazebos if you want to take a break and take in the scenery. They also have three nice fountains in the center of the lake. Only problem I had was avoiding lots of goose droppings and a hissing goose that wasn't happy to see me...lol Other then that plenty of people walking and enjoying the nice sunny day. I definitely plan to add this to my list of places for a nice walk....

So much to do and see. Love that this part of Central Park feels tucked away but so exposed…read more Feeding ducks, watching people sail their boats, watching people paint the landscape, ordering coffee and walking around. Such a vibe. Makes you want to move out here to have access to this environment every day.

As the second largest man-made body of water in the park, I think the Lake is an excellent location…read morefor bird watching. I've spotted swans, ducks, cranes, and many beautiful and chiming birds here, and the reflection of the city landscape is also worth visiting.

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ HUGGGGGE, well-maintained park with lots of space. Probably one of the biggest local, neighborhood county parks in NJ. + Multiple sections to the park include large kids' playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, handball courts, baseball fields, a soccer field, track and field athletic field, dog park and a BIGGGG lake in the middle. + The kids' playground is one of the biggest I've seen in Northern N.J. rivaling that of Van Saun's playground in Paramus. There are lots of activities for kids in there. + There's a road that goes through the heart of the park, so, YES you can drive through the park. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Parking inside of the park can be a challenge on really nice days, but there are also spaces outside of the park by the surrounding houses too.

This is a wonderful park. It is clean and has many many things to do. There is a dog park, many…read moreseating areas, bocce courts!!!, other sports fields, fountains. The street fair is weekly during summer. Food aplenty nearby. Plenty of parking. Just a nice place to take a stroll for as long or little as you like.

This is a nice little park to walk, jog, or just sit quietly. Clean and very serene. You can walk…read morearound the "lake" or extend your distance by going around the field.

This is a great multi-purpose park all year round. It's small but that doesn't take away from it…read more In the summer, it usually gets crowded, even at night, because of local games and groups of kids biking. There is usually a seasonal amusement park festival in July, but it was put off this year because of COVID-19. However, you can still find people doing picnics here, very family-friendly. You also can do some fishing here or simply admire the ducks and turtles by the lake. The circular walking path surrounding the lake is perfect for walking your dog or taking a late-night stroll. It's worth a look!