My Favorite Park in New Jersey Is a Little-Known Oasis for Biking, Hiking, and Sightseeing

I love New Jersey's state parks; some of those sprawling natural destinations are among the most beautiful places in the northeast. You could spend months exploring them and still not hike all the trails they have to offer! But sometimes, it's nice to stay a little closer to home, and one of the wonderful things about New Jersey is its county parks system. Most of our hometowns have amazing parks right next door, like my neighbor, Roosevelt Park, home to the amazing Plays in the Park program. But if I had to pick one spot as the best county park in New Jersey, I think I'd pick Saddle River County Park.

Located in the heart of one of NJ's busiest areas, this amazing county park features the 10.6-mile Saddle River Trail, a fantastic hiking and biking trail that takes you past some of the park's most beautiful sights, including a surprising historic building and a gorgeous waterfall. It's the perfect summer day trip for those who want a natural getaway a little closer to home.

Saddle River County Park is a great little retreat in the middle of New Jersey, not far from Paterson and within a stone's throw of New York City. That makes it an amazing place to escape the busy days and get back in touch with nature, on one of the best hiking and biking paths in the state. This park is divided into several sub-parks, and this path will take you through all of them.

The most distinctive landmark of the park is Easton Tower, a historic water mill that has stood here since 1899 and was originally used as a water pump for businessman Edward Easton. It hasn't been functional for a very long time, but it still makes for an amazing photo opportunity.

As you hike along the main bike path, you'll come across one surprise after another—you'll notice there's a great little waterfall to stop and admire. The park is also home to some fantastic opportunities for recreation, including a playground, a roller hockey rink, and several sports courts.

One of the most beautiful spots in the park is the Glen Rock Duck Pond, which has several small trails surrounding it. This is a popular fishing spot as well, being stocked with bass, sunfish, carp, and catfish.

Of course, the park is most popular during the summer months, but there's something to do here all through the year. It's an underrated spot for fall foliage, and when the snow falls, the place feels almost supernaturally peaceful.

Have you explored Saddle River County Park before? If not, tell a hiking buddy about this article and make plans to visit the best county park in New Jersey! You can find out more on the official Bergen County webpage, and check out the AllTrails trail listing for more pictures of the Saddle River Trail. While you're in the area, make sure to drop by Hackensack to get your hands on the legendary crumb cake from B&W Bakery!