South Mountain Reservation is a 2000+ acre park located in Essex County bordering the towns of Millburn, South Orange and Maplewood. The hilly park follows along the ridge of the lower Watchung mountain range and offers many easy to moderate hiking options for those looking to get in a long day or just going out with the children. The 34 mile Lenape Trail [yellow blazes] runs the length of the park.
Geographic highlights include two ponds along dammed sections of the Rahway River, Hemlock Falls and a few other smaller water falls, basalt rock formations [including the famous Turtle Back Rock], and various overlooks to the east with views of the Hudson River and New York City Skyline.
A favorite afternoon hike starts in the Tulip Springs parking area along Glen Ave. in Millburn, following the white blazed trail north along the Rahway River until it meets South Orange Ave. After a short detour to see Hemlock Falls the yellow or white and red blazes can be picked up and followed back south along the top of the ridge.
Downloadable Trail Map from the Essex County web site, or purchase a trail map from SOMOCON at these locations.
Activities
Hiking, fishing, picnicking, dog park
Photographs
![old fern top [1]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3911995001_0831785d20_m.jpg)
Learn more about this park at these other sites
- Essex County Parks – South Mountain Reservation
- South Mountain Conservancy
- Wikipedia – South Mountain Reservation
- Hike Description at NYNJTC
- South Mountain Geology at USGS.gov
2 Comments
Help! I need to see some trees. I have been living in Manhattan for 2 months. So, I need an easy day trip back to the real world.
On the maps, it looks like I can take a train to Millburn and walk into the reserve. Is that true? Is there a handy entrance to the park near the train station? Any other suggestions for finding nature withing public transit range of nyc?
Thanks
Steve
Hiya Steve.
Your reading of the map is correct! at the MIllburn NJ Transit station there is a parking lot that also houses the Millburn First Aid Squad on the park side of the rails [west bound] and the town center is on the other side [east bound]. When getting off the train you go through to the other side of this lot and cross the road that is parallel to the tracks [Glen Ave]. You will see a lot marked Locust Grove – and you can pick up the trails at the end of that lot.
As for other opportunities, the Palisades Interstate Park has trails you can pick up just across the GWB, and they can be quite nice this time of year. There are also parks to the north like Harriman in NY state that you can take Metro North or buses to. The ‘New York City Day Hike’ web site linked on the left sidebar has some useful public transportation info.
Good luck in your search for trees!