Indian Rock & Wanaque Ridge Trails

The new Indian Rock and Wanaque Ridge Trails provide access to the western section of Ramapo Mountain State Forest, which previously had no marked trails.

The 0.8-mile Indian Rock Trail (inverted-red-triangle-on-white blazes) begins at Back Beach Park in Wanaque and crosses the Wanaque River on a low stone bridge (may be submerged during high water). After passing the ruins of an old DuPont gunpowder manufacturing complex, it climbs to join the Cannonball Trail just southwest of Ramapo Lake.

The 2.5-mile Wanaque Ridge Trail (orange blazes) begins at a junction with the Indian Rock Trail and climbs to,a ridge with panoramic west-facing views. After following the ridge for some distance, it descends into a valley, then climbs to end at the MacEvoy Trail just northwest of Ramapo Lake.

These two new trails can be combined with the Cannonball and MacEvoy Trails to form a scenic loop hike. To reach the Back Beach Park trailhead, take I-287 to Exit 55. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Union Avenue, then turn left at light onto Ringwood Avenue (County 511), following the signs for "Wanaque." Continue for 0.7 mile to the next light, and turn right onto Second Avenue. At a "stop" sign in 0.3 mile, turn left onto the Boulevard. At the next intersection, bear right to continue on Fourth Avenue. Continue straight ahead on Back Beach Road and follow it to its end at a large parking area.

V3 Last updated: May 10, 2008   Copyright © 1996-2008  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.