Morristown, New Jersey

Nestled within the more urban and suburban communities in Northern New Jersey, you can escape back to nature at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The name says it all - this place is the perfect opportunity to get up close to a variety of different wildlife that call this protected land home....

This is a fun hike that is great for the entire family. The trails are really well maintained and Tripod Rock is a pretty amazing feature to check out. You can hike to the rock and follow your steps back to the parking lot for a 3 mile round trip or continue along the trail for a 4.4 mile loop. I...

This is a relatively easy hike through Hacklebarney State Park that is great for families with younger children, rock scrambling, photography, and just hanging out in nature. There are two different ways to explore Hacklebarney, either by staying on the packed gravel path or by following the bank...

The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn...

Mills Reservation is over 150 acres of wooded area located off of Normal Ave. near the Cedar Grove reservoir. Parking space is limited due to the small size but there is another hidden lot towards the back if you make a right out of the parking lot and then the first right turn onto Highland Ave....

The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...

Getting to the Great Falls of the Passaic River is a relatively straight shot. It is located off exit 57B on Route 80 which is also accessible from highway 287. Parking is located on McBride Avenue across the street from the park's welcome center.Typically during autumn park rangers offer 45 to 1...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...

There are multiple places to pick up the Columbia Trail (High Bridge, Califon, Long Valley, Flanders) but this post is for biking or running from Califon to High Bridge and back. The best place to park is at the old town railroad station on, of course, Railroad Ave. You will be able to see the en...

One of New Jerseys best kept secrets has to be the Ken Lockwood Gorge. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and nature packs place then this area is perfect for you. You can access the gorge from two different points, either by driving down Raritan River Rd. and parking right before you ...

The white trail offers one of the two more ambitious hikes, passing through Egbertville Ravine, Heyerdahl Hill and Buck’s Hollow parks on Staten Island, offering an up-close view of the forest and marshland that once covered the island. About midway, the trail also passes the Greenbelt Nature Cen...

The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry that runs between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island. From the deck of the ferry, you will have a perfect view of The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll see the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan receding as you pull away and c...

The Big Apple. NYC has arguably the best skyline in the world. So, if you are one of the millions of people visiting wouldn't you want to get some photos of the entire skyline to post on social media and show friend & family? Skip the boat and helicopter tour lines (although a cool experience...

To start, I recommend coming in the early morning or afternoon, as the parking lot fills up with people hiking, fishing or going for a walk with their family. I usually get my luckiest before 9. This park is as relaxing or exciting as you want to make it. Here is a good map to use/ print out. We ...

Built on a historic freight rail line and perched above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side, the High Line is a public park that features a green-lined walkway. Park hours depend on the season, although it never opens before 7am, so best to go for sunset. Although you may have some company on wa...

Join the thousands of people who cross the GWB each day, but do it by foot! This is an easy walk with beautiful views of the New York City skyline. You will begin seeing signs for the bridge bike path at Ft. Washington St. & E. 177th St., which you follow for a few blocks until you begin asce...