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13 Best Nature Spots in New Jersey for Family Day Trips

Updated: 7 days ago

Easy day trips, family-friendly hikes, waterfalls, and peaceful outdoor escapes in New Jersey near the NYC metro area


Family walks on a wooden boardwalk through tall grass under a blue sky. Photographed in the New Jersey Meadowlands at Richard DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Text: River & Wild Co., 13 Favorite New Jersey Nature Spots by Christine Dyer.

Happy Earth Day! This day always feels like a reset for me—a reminder to step outside, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world that’s always been here, waiting.


Right now, New Jersey nature feels especially alive: spring buds, migrating warblers, baby animals, and signs of change everywhere you look.


This year also feels especially meaningful. Later this afternoon, I'll be judging the Wildlife Photography Contest at the Watchung Trailside Nature Center—one of those full-circle moments I don’t take lightly. Since releasing There’s This River, I’ve been connecting with so many thoughtful, nature-loving people, and experiences like this feel like part of the same journey.


But this post is a little different.


Are you ready for a glimpse into my time capsule?! I recently went back through old photos and I found myself in 2020—during lockdown—when everything felt uncertain and small, and yet the natural world suddenly became everything. Those months changed how I saw New Jersey outdoor spaces. With my then 6- and 9-year-olds, we began exploring local hiking trails, waterfalls, wetlands, and quiet parks near Cranford, NJ. It was a hard time, but also a deeply special one.


These are the New Jersey nature spots we discovered and returned to again and again.


My Favorite “Worth the Drive” New Jersey Nature Spots

(All within about an hour of Cranford, NJ)


A short, scenic hike leads you to a beautiful waterfall tucked into the forest. This place is hard to find at first, but it is well worth the effort. I recommend that you put Hemlock Falls in Waze (or your GPS) and it will take you to South Orange Ave in West Orange.  From there, you'll see a foot bridge that crosses South Orange Ave.  Park in the small lot on the side of the road that is immediately after that foot bridge.  From there, follow the trail and keep going to the left. You should find 2 falls that are very close to each other.  If that parking lot is full, park in the Tulip Spring Picnic area. You’ll get on a trail, cross a foot bridge over South Orange Ave, and then you’ll see the parking lot that I first recommended. Follow the trail and keep staying to the left.

A person stands by Hem in South Mountain Reservation, New Jersey surrounded by rocky cliffs. Bright sunlight creates a small rainbow in the water. The sky is clear and blue.
March 18, 2020. As uncertainty began, Hemlock Falls offered something steady.

Expansive wetlands, winding boardwalks, and some of the best birdlife in the state. It’s one of those places that changes every time you visit. The park features 3.5 miles of walking paths, panoramic views of wetlands and waterways, and birds galore, all framed by the New York City skyline.  DeKorte Park is located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of three major routes used by migratory birds in North America. More than 285 species of birds have been identified in the Meadowlands, including many on the State threatened, endangered and species of special concern lists. DeKorte Park has been nationally recognized by Birder’s World magazine as a birding hotspot.

New Jersey Meadlowlands pathway framed by green trees and plants, leading to a body of water with a New York City skyline and the Freedom Tower in the distance under a clear blue sky.
June 4, 2020. The pandemic became a time to explore new outdoor gems. Richard DeKorte Park quickly became one of my happy places—where the New York City skyline felt like a glimpse of my old life, and the quiet boardwalks led me gently into a new one.
Man and child walk on a wooden boardwalk at Richard DeKorte Park through tall grasses under a clear blue sky. Other people further along, serene setting.


Wide beaches, rolling dunes, and coastal wildlife. It’s a place to take your time—walk, sit, watch.

Two children sit on a large rock at Sandy Hook beach in New Jersey, facing the ocean. Waves crash against nearby rocks under a clear blue sky.
April 6, 2020. We traded virtual school for salt air and open space—so thankful we made it to Sandy Hook before the beach closed, too.
Driftwood on Sandy Hook Beach with distant city skyline under a partly cloudy sky. Ocean separates the beach and cityscape.

On the bay side of Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey, calm water surrounded by golden grass, under a sky filled with fluffy clouds. A peaceful rural landscape with distant trees.


A magical, kid-friendly trail filled with tiny fairy houses and imagination. If you haven't visited the Fairy Trail in South Mountain Reservation, you are definitely missing out. To find it, we parked in the parking lot that is across the street from the Milburn Library. As you enter that parking lot, take the first trail on the left. Local artisans have made the trail interesting with fairy houses and displays. We've been to this trail a few times and there always seems to be something new. If you venture past the trail, there is a beautiful dam along the Rahway River.  The secluded views were beautiful.

At the Fairy Trail in South Mountain, New Jersey, a rustic wooden lighthouse model with stones and straw, perched on a branch. Soft background blur, creating a serene ambiance.
April 1, 2020. Along the Fairy Trail at South Mountain Reservation, imagination and nature intertwined—tiny details, endless wonder, and something new to discover each time.


Peaceful marshes, boardwalk trails, and endless quiet. Enter via Pleasant Plains Road for a serene start. The crazy thing is that I don't have photos of the Great Swamp from my 2020 'time capsule' because it was shut down.


A hidden gem with quiet trails and a tucked-away feel—perfect when you want a little solitude. The preserve is 99 acres with a 49-acre pond. There are bountiful swamps (make a right after crossing the foot bridge) as well as wooded trails (make a left before you reach the footbridge). At this preserve, we always see tons of frogs, Ospreys, turtles, tree swallows, and other wildlife. Wear old shoes because it tends to be muddy. For extra fun, play 'count the frogs' or bring a fishing pole.

At Ernest L. Oros Wildlife Preserve in New Jersey. Girl in pink shirt walks on a narrow path by a lake, surrounded by dry bushes. Trees line the opposite shore under a clear blue sky.
May 11, 2020 (Mother’s Day). A visit to Ernest L. Oros Wildlife Preserve offered a quiet kind of refuge—where you can step away and fully immerse yourself in nature.
At Oros Wildlife Preserve in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Man and two kids walk down a path in a grassy area, holding sticks. Geese and goslings on the path. Background of trees, spring setting.


A serene forest lake that lives up to its name. One of my favorite places to just sit and be.


Powerful, dramatic waterfalls with sweeping views—nature and history meeting in one place. Explore the scenic trail and bridge, which leads right next to the falls and over the Passaic River.  We learned that in 1778, Alexander Hamilton visited the falls and was impressed by its potential for industry. Later when Hamilton was the nation's Secretary of Treasury, he selected this site as the nation's first planned industrial city, which he called a "national manufactory."  

At Paterson Great Falls, New Jersey. A man and two kids in colorful shirts admire a waterfall from a railing. A bridge spans above. Lush greenery surrounds them under a blue sky.
June 13, 2020. At Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, the rush of water felt like therapy—steady, grounding, and alive.

Rocky trails, rushing streams, and deep forest. Use the address 119 Hacklebarney Rd, Washington, NJ for your GPS.  The highlight of the trip was the waterfall that was at the beginning of our hike.  Even better - there were tons of rocks to climb on around the waterfall. If you’re nearby, Alstede Farms is a fun stop to feed animals and get fun treats.

At Hacklebarney State Park in Long Valley, New Jersey. A small waterfall cascades over rocks in a lush forest setting, surrounded by green foliage. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene mood.
June 5, 2020. At Hacklebarney State Park, the boulder-filled trails made hiking more challenging—but also more playful, more adventurous, and more alive.

A tucked-away neighborhood waterfall. Use 9 Crosby Ave in your GPS to find it. Parking is limited but you can usually find a spot on the side of the road. The trail is about 2 miles (round trip), somewhat muddy after rain, and it would be ideal for ages 5 and up. Here is a trail map of Buttermilk Falls. 

At Buttermilk Falls in Mendham, New Jersey. A person in a blue jacket stands on rocks beside a waterfall in a forest with bare trees. Sunlight brightens the scene, creating a serene mood.
March 22, 2020. Buttermilk Falls—a moment of pure wonder as my boy watched the waterfall.

A New Jersey Audubon sanctuary with gentle trails and incredible birding opportunities.

In the vernal pond at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Preserve and Audubon Center. Frog partially submerged in clear water, surrounded by green moss and leaves. Its eyes are prominent, creating a calm and natural scene.
June 23, 2020. At Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, the Passaic River reveals endless treasures for those who slow down and look closely.
Passaic River at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Center. A serene forest with a rocky stream flowing under dappled sunlight. Lush green trees dominate the background, creating a tranquil scene.


A peaceful, unexpected bamboo grove that feels like stepping into another world. This forest began in the 1940's as a shelter for honeybee colonies and has evolved and spread into a large grove that reaches over 30 feet tall.  

At Rutgers Gardens Bamboo Forest - A child in a purple shirt walks through a lush, green bamboo forest path, creating a serene and adventurous mood.
September 5, 2020. Bamboo forest at Rutgers Gardens—another surprising pocket of wild beauty tucked into suburbia.
In the Bamboo Forest in East Brunswick, New Jersey - A Pathway through a dense bamboo forest. Tall green stalks arch overhead, creating a serene, natural tunnel. Sunlight filters through the leaves.


Quiet, lesser-known trails—perfect when you’re looking to wander without a crowd. Despite the park's modest name, our family truly enjoyed the secluded trail through the woods and along the cascading brook. I would say that this trail is on the more difficult side but my 6- and 9-year-olds were able to do it.  There are some parts of it that are steep and many parts where the path is rocky.  Here are details about getting to the Dismal Harmony parking area along with a map of the 2.3-mile trail.  From the parking area, follow the white-blazed Patriots’ Path as it heads north on a footpath parallel to the cascading Dismal Brook. After crossing two wooden bridges, the trail moves away from the brook, climbing gradually in the woods.  Keep bearing left.  When you get to the yellow-blazed trail, follow that.  The trail will continue, climbing gradually. At the top of the mountain, you'll find a huge boulder known as Legend Rock. The story goes that, in the 1700s, Scottish people who settled the area hid from the Native Americans by crawling into cracks in this boulder.

At Dismal Harmony Natural Area in Morristown, New Jersey. Rocky stream flowing through a forest with bare trees. Sunlight highlights mossy stones and rippling water, creating a tranquil scene.
April 5, 2020. Despite its modest name, Dismal Harmony surprised us with a secluded trail through the woods and along a cascading brook that our whole family loved.


Final Thoughts: Exploring Nature in New Jersey


There’s something special about New Jersey nature spots that are just a little farther from home. Within an hour of Cranford, you can find waterfalls, wetlands, forests, and beaches that completely shift your perspective.


The pace changes. The noise fades. And often, that’s where the most meaningful moments happen. If you explore any of these family day drips in New Jersey for hiking trails or nature preserves, I’d love to hear what you notice.


And if you’re looking for more ways to connect with the natural beauty right here in New Jersey, There’s This River carries that same experience forward—celebrating local landscapes, wildlife, and the quiet moments in between.




Happy Earth Day 🌎,





Author & Photographer, There's This River

Owner, River & Wild Co.

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