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
Spring Begins: Beaver Ponds Guided Tour (easy) Saturday, March 29th @10:00AM
Highlands Preserve (ball fields parking lot), Arlington Ave, Hewitt NJ 07421
[RESCHEDULED] Valentine's Full Moon Night Hike to Reservoir (moderate) Now occurring on Friday, April 11th @ 7:00 PM
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!
Spring Songbird Walk (easy) - Saturday, May 3rd @ 9AM-11AM
Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Exact Meeting Location: The Pat Di Ianni Boat House parking lot (just off Park Rd).
Spring is in the air as well as over 150 different species of songbirds, both migrant and resident. New Jersey is sometimes referred to as “the crossroads of migration,” and the Spring seasonal bird migration provides a great opportunity for visitors of Garret Mountain Reservation to witness avian beauty. Come join us for a casual walk around Barbour’s Pond during this annual bird migration with Ranger Frank and help him identify various songbirds along the way.