Watchung Reservation offers 13 miles of hiking along the valley and ridge of the lower Watchung Mountains and is located in Union County near the town of Mountainside and is easily accessible from RT 78 or RT 22. Trails are wide and well kept but the signs of past storms are hard to avoid. Where: Watching Reservation Scout Area . The museum also organizes seasonal programs like the “Journey from Sap to Syrup,” where visitors witness first-hand the collection of sap from a tree. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. it's not a. difficult trail and there are flat areas also. Watchung Reservation – Sierra Trail. We have mixed feelings about this park. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Winter Activities. Miller-Cory House is situated 2 miles southeast of Watchung Reservation. In fact, we’ve been here only once before, about 5 yrs ago, and it’s taken us this long to give it another go. Watchung / w ɑː ˈ tʃ ʌ ŋ / is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.It is located within the Raritan Valley region.As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 5,801, reflecting an increase of 188 (+3.3%) from the 5,613 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 503 (+9.8%) from the 5,110 counted in the 1990 Census. By 1860, the village, formerly known as Feltville, had been completely deserted. Hotels near Trailside Nature & Science Center, Trailside Nature & Science Center: Tickets & Toursâ, AMC Loews Mountainside 10: Tickets & Toursâ, Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites. the pats are reasonably pretty and there is some elevation gain up and down so you can get a good walk. With few staff able to conduct inspections and maintenance, extreme weather eroded the trails and sullied streams, turning a park that was “loved to death” into one that was hostile to hikers and equestrians. The Olmsted brothers, famously known for designing Central Park, planned the Reservation to showcase the region’s natural beauty, and it does not disappoint. The Watchung Reservation History Trail is a 6-mile trail that visits and identifies sites of historic interest in Union County’s Watchung Reservation, a 2,000+acre preserve located in the northern portion of the County. November 8, 2019 / Central NJ / Historical, Lake, No-Hunting, Union. Numerous hiking trails, an interactive nature center with fish and taxidermy, and a fabulous playground, provide both indoor and outdoor fun for NJ families. Lots of downed and rotting trees polluting what would otherwise be a beautiful plot of land. There are many trails and getting lost is a possibility, so make sure to pick up the map of trails at the Nature Center! Watchung Reservation has got to be one of our favorite places to hike. For families with little ones, a rest stop and drinking fountain are located close to the playground as well. Contacts, Dogs and Fees Highlights include Lake Surprise, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley’s Pond and the Watchung Stables. Highlights of the park include Lake Surprise, the Deserted Village of Feltvile/Glenside Park, the Trailside Nature and Science Center, Seeley's Pond and the Watchung Stables. Residents can also go for a morning jog or walk their dogs along the various footpaths that encircle the pond. Numerous hiking trails, an interactive nature center with fish and taxidermy, and a fabulous playground, provide both indoor and outdoor fun for NJ families. The Watchung Reservation Trails Master plan specifies that the cost to construct these trails properly will cost $11 per foot x 13.5 miles = $784,080.00. Picnic areas can accommodate between 125-250 people for large gatherings or small families, with reservations. When you arrive at the Watchung reservation, you can loop around the route as much as you want, which I believe you will do. More information can be found here. Interested in learning more about the beautiful homes or activities in Union County, New Jersey? Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, Nj Watchung Reservation is the largest nature reserve in Union County, New Jersey, United States. Watchung Reservation in Union County is a 2,000-acre wooded tract where animal and plant life are protected. Other links Watchung Reservation @ Wild NJ - a short article with aditional information. Winter Workshops. Watchung Reservation, the largest park in Union County, is home to many wonderful kid-friendly activities, making it the perfect day-trip destination for any time of year. Sift for fossils at the sand pit in the discovery room, listen to stories in the library, and explore interactive displays and exhibits like the Lenape Native Americans Backyard Habitat. Nice plaeant walk, without rocks that you can trip over, We liked that the trails did not require you to look down all the time to avoid tripping on rocks, which is a problem on some hiking trails in New Jersey. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. hiking trail-running forest nature-trips dogs-leash walking wildlife birding kids views river. watchung reservation @ deserted village berkeley heights • watchung reservation @ deserted village berkeley heights photos • watchung reservation @ deserted village berkeley heights location • watchung reservation @ deserted village berkeley heights address • Located in the heart of Union County, the beautiful Reservation has over 2,000 acres of protected forestland, a myriad of hiking trails, lakes, and historical sites. Be careful of mud in the spring and fall, though! Watchung is a borough located in Somerset County in the state of New Jersey, and has a population of approximately 5,801. The museum also organizes seasonal programs like the “Journey from Sap to Syrup,” where visitors witness first-hand the collection of sap from a tree. Photo: Jared Kofsky, CC BY-SA 3.0. After discovering all the unique activities the three-story museum has to offer, venture outdoors to look at the local topography and observe natural phenomena like basalt, puddingstone boulder, and hardened lava. Watchung Reservation is the largest park in Union County, New Jersey, United States.It is bounded by the city of Summit, the borough of Mountainside, and the townships of Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains, and Springfield.The reservation consists mainly of the upper valley of Blue Brook, between the ridges of First Watchung Mountain and Second Watchung Mountain. Pathways are clearly marked, and most trails are easy enough for families to manage. The Watchung Governing Body opposes the construction of a new bi-directional pipeline though the Township that would transport crude oil and refined petroleum products between Albany, New York and Linden, New Jersey. This loop hike encircles the Watchung Reservation, passing ruins of an old mill, an historic village, a cemetery dating to the 1700s, a scenic gorge and an attractive lake. Permit are available for picnics with beer or liquor and all picnic areas must be reserved online or by calling (908) 527-4900. Trails are rated based on hike difficulty and length, making it easy to pick the most suitable path. Museum. Featured in, , the Deserted Village, sometimes referred to locally as the. The Lake Surprise Loop is one of the most well-traveled hikes in Watchung Reservation. These low-key, minimal-support, informal trail runs will provide an excellent opportunity to test your mid-winter training. So, if you’re looking for activities to do with your family, Watchung Reservation offers numerous hiking trails from the Sierra Trail, a 10-mile loop that encompasses the Reservation, to the History Trail which marks old uses of the land. This post may contain affiliate links. Over all a good experience. FREE 176 PAGE ILLUSTRATED EBOOK! Explore the historic Deserted Village. Trailside Talks. It is one of the most extensive trails of its kind in the U.S. Enter the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail in Mountainside. Or, do a simple “main” loop for an easy six miler. If your idea of the quintessential childhood involves exploring woods, fields, lakes, and streams worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting, the Watchung Reservation is for you. Those out for a leisurely afternoon will find the trails along Lake Surprise and the Blue Brook to be calming and scenic. Formed in the late 19th century, Seeley’s Pond originated as a man-made pond used to power a mill. It loops around the lake, with a few off-shoots of trails if you want to make your hike a little longer. We've got 12 easy trails in Watchung Reservation ranging from 1.3 to 4.8 miles and from 229 to 541 feet above sea level. Don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars to observe the wildlife along the way. It is one of the most extensive trails of its kind in the U.S. The original inhabitants of Watchung, the Lenape, referred to the mountains as the Wach Unks, or ‘high hills’. Or, do a simple âmainâ loop for an easy six miler. Watchung Reservation is easily accessible and offers great picnic grounds. Version of our favorite places to hike 1941, the hiking trails are badly marked and... At no cost to you a population of approximately 5,801 for neglect to eventually take its toll the! It loops around the Pond in fall to book online for the date ( s you! Areas for children of all ages, 2019 / Central NJ / Historical, Lake, reservations. 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