Watchung Reservation

Park Overview:
Highlights include Surprise Lake, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley’s Pond and the Watchung Stables. Sierra Trail forms a 10.8 mile loop.
Trail Uses:
Hiking
Bridle path
Handicapped
Dogs:
Dogs on leash
Trail Miles:
13 miles
Park Acreage:
2000 acres
City/County/State:
Mountainside
/
Union
/
NJ
Buy Trail Map:
Park Description:

Watchung Reservation in Union County is a 2,000-acre wooded tract where animal and plant life are protected.  Highlights of the park include Surprise Lake, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley's Pond and the Watchung Stables.  Opened in 1941, The Trailside Museum was New Jersey's first nature museum - and the building has since been considerably updated.

Although I-78 traverses its north-western flank, most of the reservation remains in a natural, wild state, and sound barriers muffle the road noise.

Trails Overview:
Four short nature trails, ranging from 0.2 to 0.9 miles are near the Trailside Nature & Science Center.  The Sierra Trail [white square blaze; 10.8 miles] forms a loop that encircles the reservation.  Various connecting trails can be used to fashion shorter loop hikes.  The park's web site has a Watchung Reservation trail map in color
Directions:

Take Route 22 to New Providence Road in Mountainside.  More specific driving directions are on the park's web site [see Contact Information below].  [Google Maps: "452 New Providence Rd, Mountainside, NJ"] 

NJ Transit bus #114 from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the intersection of US 22 and New Providence Road in Mountainside; but hikers must walk uphill 1.4 miles to reach the reservation
Contact Information:
Union County Parks and Community Renewal, Trailside Nature and Science Center
908-789-3670
Walk Book Region:
Watchungs
Fees:None