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 is still a hike! Always expect rocky and uneven terrain with some incline. An easy hike will typically be 3 miles or less, with very few occurrences of incline.
Moderate: A moderate hike can be anywhere from 2 to 5 miles. Steep inclines and tricky water crossings occur more frequently than they do in easy hikes.
Challenging: A challenging hike is typically 4+ miles and may feature numerous obstacles including water crossings and rock scrambles. Be prepared for steep uphill climbs and downhill descents.
UPCOMING HIKES & PROGRAMS
Women's Full Moon Fireside Hike -Friday, August 28th @7:30PM-9:30PM
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park NJ 07424
You are warmly invited to join Park Rangers Lesley & Christin for an evening of connection and renewal beneath the light of the full moon. We'll take time to slow down, breathe and embrace the beauty and peace that surrounds us. Along the trail, we'll share moments of quiet reflection, gratitude and intention, allowing the moonlight to remind us of the gift of community. We will end our evening around a campfire.
This will be an easy hike approximately 1 mile in length. Please bring water and wear comfortable shoes and clothes. A flashlight or headlamp is mandatory!!
Fall Hawk Walk - Sunday, September 13th @ 9AM-12PM
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Join us at Rifle Camp Park for an early Autumn walk along the Watchung Ridge during the annual hawk migration with Ranger Frank. Help us identify and tally the various raptors that are visiting the Park or just passing through on their way South.
This is an easy 3-mile walk which starts and ends at the new Environmental Education Center. Those who prefer to remain stationary while scanning the skies can stay on the Environmental Education Center grounds and help us keep count.
Halloween Night Owl Prowl - Saturday, October 31st @ 5:30PM-8PM
Highlands Preserve, 22 Warwick Turnpike, West Milford, NJ 07421
Join us at Highlands Preserve on a spooky Halloween night for a guided 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. Feel free to wear your favorite Halloween costume.
This is an easy 2-mile hike that starts and ends at the baseball fields/picnic pavilion off Arlington Avenue. FLASHLIGHTS or HEADLAMPS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON!”
Winter Birds Walk and Craft– Saturday, December 12th @ 9AM-12PM
Preakness Valley Golf Course, 209 Totowa Road, Wayne NJ 07470
"Come join us for a brisk winter walk on the beautiful fairways, cart paths, and rough at Preakness Golf Course where you will quickly realize that there are more than golf balls flying through the air. Help us locate, identify and learn all about the birds that choose to spend their winters in Northern New Jersey. Upon completing our walk, you will have an opportunity to build and take home your very own simple bird feeder or bird box while you warm-up inside Club House.
"This is an easy walk of approximately 3 miles that will start and end at the Club House."