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!
UPCOMING HIKES & PROGRAMS
Hike @ Apshawa Preserve to Waterfall Ruins (Difficult)
Saturday, November 9th @ 4:30PM-8:30PM
Apshawa Preserve, 4 Northwood Drive, West Milford NJ 07480
"Embark on a nocturnal excursion to the waterfall ruins of the abandoned Butler Reservoir treatment facility in Apshawa Preserve. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and snacks for the night. This hike is about 4 miles and is difficult with rocky terrain and short (but frequent) steep sections. FLASHLIGHTS or HEADLAMPS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON!”
City Skyline Night Hike @ Rifle Camp Park (Easy)
Friday, December 6th @ 4:00PM-6:00PM\
387 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park NJ 07424
Winter Hiking Workshop @ Camp Hope
Sunday, December 8th @ 10:00AM
1792 Union Valley Road, West Milford NJ 07480
Winter Birds Walk and Craft– Saturday, December 14th @ 9AM-11AM
1792 Union Valley Road, West Milford NJ 07480
"Come join us for a brisk winter walk on the trails at Camp Hope and help us identify and learn about the birds that choose to spend their winters in Northern New Jersey. Upon completing our walk, you will have a chance to build and take home your own simple bird feeder inside Camp Hope’s Dining Hall. "This is an easy walk at approximately 1 ½ miles that will start and end at the Dining Hall."
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.