Join the Passaic County Parks & Recreation staff as we lead you through the best trail systems that our county has to offer!
Visitor Services Rangers offer public hikes throughout the year at various locations throughout Passaic County. Hikes are available to various skill levels, whether you are a novice hiker or experienced trekker.
This list will be updated throughout the year, so be sure to check back often for new hikes!
Please read before you register!
Hiker safety is a top priority! We kindly ask that everyone adheres to our basic safety & preparedness guidelines.
• We strongly suggest privately informing a guide of any pertinent medical conditions before the hike.
• Review the difficulty grading scale before registration
• You must come prepared to hike with:
Sufficient water and nutrition.
Bring at least 0.5 liters of water per hour and pack snacks providing 200-300 calories per hour. Energy bars, nuts, or trail mix are great choices to keep your energy up.
Appropriate footwear: Choose high-traction, sturdy, and comfortable footwear. While sneakers or work boots can suffice, we recommend hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail runners. Please, no open-toed shoes for your safety.
And of course...
A backpack, ideally packed with all of "The Ten Essentials". We strongly recommend that you carry the Ten Essentials whenever you hit the trail. While it may seem cumbersome to pack all of this gear on a simple day hike, doing so is the best way to be prepared for whatever may happen in the wilderness. Click here to learn more about the "10 essentials for hiking"
Check the weather and dress appropriately!
We recommend avoiding cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet and can lead to hypothermia when it’s cold. Instead, opt for moisture-wicking fabrics like spandex and polyester as base layers and consider wool or fleece for a warm mid-layer. For more details on what to wear, check out the guide What to Wear While Hiking.
Our Hiking Difficulty Scale:
Easy: An easy hike will typically be 3 miles or less, with minimal occurrences of gradual slopes. With all hikes, expect rocky and uneven terrain.
Moderate: A moderate hike can be anywhere from 3 to 7 miles. Steep inclines and tricky water crossings occur more frequently than they do in easy hikes.
Difficult: A difficult hike is typically 7+ miles and may feature numerous obstacles such as water crossings and rock scrambles. Be prepared for numerous sections of challenging uphill climbs and downhill descents.
UPCOMING HIKES & PROGRAMS
City Skyline Night Hike (easy) Sunday, January 19th @ 4:30-7:00PM
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Embark on a nocturnal excursion into the wilderness and see the dazzling lights of the city skyline. This is an easy hike about 1.5 miles. Head lamps or flashlights are required for each person.
Scenery of the Season: Winter Edition (moderate) Saturday, January 25th @ 11:00AM
Apshawa Preserve, 4 Northwood Drive, West Milford NJ 07480
Join the Passaic County Park Rangers to witness the different sights, sounds, and smells of nature’s seasonal cycles. Bring comfortable footwear, snacks, and water you'll need for this moderate hike.
Midwinter Nature Hike - Sunday, January 26th @ 10AM-12PM
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Get off the couch, throw on your winter coat and hiking boots, and join us at Rifle Camp Park for a Midwinter nature hike on the trails of Rifle Camp Park with Ranger Frank. Take in the skyline views and learn about the natural and historic points of interests of the Park while loosening up your stiff winter legs.
This is an easy 2 ½ to 3 mile hike which starts and ends at the Senior Picnic Area parking lot (first parking lot on the right shortly after entering the Park.
"The Round Trip" Hike at Apshawa Preserve (difficult) Sunday, February 9th @ 10:00AM
Apshawa Preserve, 4 Northwood Drive, West Milford NJ 07480
A 7 mile showcase of every notable stop hidden in Apshawa Preserve's trail system. Pack for a full day in the woods, and footwear suitable for steep and rocky terrain!
Night Owl Prowl - Saturday, February 15th @ 5PM-7PM
Highlands Preserve, 22 Warwick Turnpike, West Milford, NJ 07421
Join us at Highlands Preserve after dark for a guided night hike and learn about Mother Nature’s ultimate nocturnal predator. Find out what makes these wise old raptors so efficient and deadly to their prey at night. Help Park Rangers hunt for and identify owls along with other creatures that might be stirring.
This is an approximately 3 ½ mile hike of moderate difficulty which starts and ends at the Ball Field parking lot off of Arlington Avenue. FLASHLIGHTS or HEADLAMPS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON!
Valentine's Full Moon Night Hike to Reservoir (moderate) Friday, February 14th @ 5:00PM
Apshawa Preserve, 4 Northwood Drive, West Milford NJ 07480
This Valentine’s Day, Join Passaic County Park Rangers for a memorable after-dark trek to a quiet reservoir lookout under a glowing full moon. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and snacks for the night. This hike is about 3 miles and moderate in difficulty. FLASHLIGHTS or HEADLAMPS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON!
City Skyline Night Hike (easy) Sunday, March 9th @ 6:45-9PM
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Embark on a nocturnal excursion into the wilderness and see the dazzling lights of the city skyline. This is an easy hike about 1.5 miles. Head lamps or flashlights are required for each person.
Spring Begins: Beaver Ponds Guided Tour (easy) Saturday, March 29th @10:00AM
Highlands Preserve (ball fields parking lot), Arlington Ave, Hewitt NJ 07421