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Other Places to Ride

North Jersey - Off Road Ride Locations

Ringwood State Park
Box 1304, Ringwood, NJ 07456 - 973-962-7031 or 973-962-7047


Location- Ringwood Township, Passaic County
Distance - 10.35 loop plus many other areas
Terrain - hilly; variable surface; steep, rocky sections & singletrack; technical fireroads.
Highlights - State Botanical Garden; miles of cycling trails; Shepard Lake; swimming, boating, walking and hiking trails and picnicking.
Directions - Rte. 17 North to Interstate 287N; into New York State. Take first exit to Rte. 17N for 2 miles; take jughandle for Sloatsburg Road and continue for 4 miles; Turn left into park at Skylands/Shepard Lake entrance; take road to top of hill; turn left at stop sign and follow to Shepard Lake toll booth; park in lot C.


Ramapo Mountain State Forest
c/o Ringwood State Park - Box 1304 - Ringwood, NJ 07456
973-962-7031 or 973-962-7047


Location - Oakland Township, Bergen County; Boro of Wanaque Township, Passaic County
Distance - 6.55 miles and other trails
Terrain - hilly; dirt and paved roads
Highlights - quiet roads for beginners; scenic view of Manhattan; some wooded roads and trails
Directions - I287N to exit marked Skyline Drive (Rte. 91); go north; go past lower entrance to forest on left at 0.3 miles; go uphill for 1.1 miles. Park on left across Skyline Drive from Camp Tamarack (BSA).


Pequannock Watershed-Charlotte Reservoir
NWCDC - PO Box 319 - Newfoundland, NJ 07435 - 201-697-2850


Location - Newfoundland, Passaic and Morris Counties
Distance - 5.15 miles plus other unmapped trails
Terrain - hilly, with long flats; single and double track; dirt and ballast.
Highlights - Virtually unknown to mountain bikers; isolated and unmarked trails; seasonal day pass costs $8.00. Goes into Split Rock Reservation which is not legal but.... get maps at office; easy to get lost.
Directions - I287 to Rte. 23N (towards Butler); continue north to Echo Lake Road which is 1 mile north of Newfoundland; right onto Echo Lake Road and look for office about 1 mile on left.


Pequannock Watershed / Bearfort Mountain
NWCDC - PO Box 319 - Newfoundland, NJ 07435 - 973-697-2850


Location - West Milford Township, Passaic and Morris Counties.
Distance - 9.85 miles
Terrain - rocky, hilly, doubletrack trails
Highlights - miles of interconnected trails; many legal singletrack; close to Wawayanda State Park; unknown and little used.
Directions - same as above to Echo Lake Road; go to office. Park at Clinton Reservoir; return to Rte. 23 and head north to Rte. 513 (Union Valley Road); 1.75 miles on Rte. 513; turn left onto Van Orden Road; follow for 1 mile to reservoir and park.


Wawayanda State Park
PO Box 198 - Highland Lakes, NJ 07422 - 973-853-4462


Location - Highland Lakes Township, Sussex County
Distance - 9.8 mile loop plus other trails
Terrain - rocky, hilly, dirt and gravel roads and mixed terrain and singletrack
Highlights - huge park; historical iron-ore sites; many trails for all abilities; swimming, fishing, boating; camping; picnicking and great hiking areas.
Directions - It's located between West Milford, NJ and Warwick, NY; from NJ, take Rte. 23N to Rte. 94 to Warwick, NY; go 3 miles on Rte. 94 (toward West Milford); turn left onto Rte. 21. Go 2.9 miles; turn into park entrance on right.


Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
c/o Morris County Park Commission - PO Box 1295 - Morristown, NJ 07962-1295
973-326-7600


Location - Jefferson Township, Morris County
Distance - two loops- 5.5 and 6.5 miles.
Terrain - singletrack, extremely rocky hills, gravel areas, loose rocks and bedrock; long climbs; technical riding in many parts; 2 mile railbed.
Highlights - highest point in Morris County; site of first mountain bike race in NJ; multi-use park; camping sites; equestrian trails; picnic areas, ballfield, restrooms; great overlooks; blazed trails.
Directions - I80 to 15 North; take 15N for five miles north; exit at Weldon Road exit; follow Weldon Road northeast for 4 miles to Saffin Pond on left. Riding is on both sides of the road.


Lewis Morris County Park
c/o Morris County Park Commission - PO Box 1295 - Morristown, NJ 07962-1295
973-326-7600


Location - Morristown area, Morris County
Distance - 5.5 loop
Terrain - hilly, dirt single and doubletrack trails; moderate to difficult in climbing.
Highlights - swimming, boating; equestrian trails; picnic areas; next to Jockey Hollow Historical Park; fishing; trail adopted and maintained by Marty's Reliable Cycle.
Directions - I287-exit 35; South Street westbound to Morristown Green; follow signs to Rte. 510W or Rte. 124W; take 510W out of Morristown for 3.5 miles; park is on left; follow signs to Sunrise Lake; park in double lot; trail starts in southwest corner of Sunrise Lake; look for and follow yellow blazes.


Patriot's Path
c/o Morris County Park Commission - PO Box 1295 Morristown, NJ 07962-1295
973-326-7600


Location - Morristown, Morris Township, Mendham Townships
Distance - 10.2 one way
Terrain - mixed; flat in places, paved and gravel; hilly and uphill gradual going west; dirt most of the way.
Highlights - linear trail paralleling Rte. 124 and following the Rock-a-Bye-Baby Rail-line; starts in Morristown next to Speedwell Village, site of the invention of the telegraph-check it out. Natural and river areas.
Directions - I287 to exit 35; follow to Morristown Green; follow Speedwell Ave. or 202N for 5 traffic lights. Just before fifth light, enter park on left before going down hill. Park here and follow signs for Patriot's Path; it can be confusing so just look for markings of the MC Park Commission; usually brown posts at each intersection.


Allamuchy Mountain State Park-North Section
c/o Stephens State Park - 800 Willow Grove Street - Hackettstown, NJ 07840
908-852-3790


Location - Hackettstown-Morris, Warren and Sussex Counties.
Distance - various loops-35 miles in total.
Terrain - hilly; dirt, gravel and rocky. Some loops are very difficult.
Highlights - quiet, wooded natural areas; camping, picnicking and fishing; near Waterloo Village; Sussex Branch rail-line is nearby; 3 distinct loops of varying difficulty and terrain.
Directions - to Allamuchy natural area - I80 to exit 19 (Hackettstown/Andover) for Rte. 517; turn left at exit ramp onto 517 south; turn left onto dirt road, Deer Park Road, after 2.3 miles; follow rutted road for 0.7 miles and park at first lot; trailhead is off to the left.
- to northeast section-take I80 to exit 25 for Waterloo Village; take first right (follow signs to Waterloo Village); make right at traffic light (Waterloo Road); take to end; cross straight over; trailhead is at far end of the small dirt parking lot.


High Bridge Line and Ken Lockwood Gorge

Location - Long Valley, Middle Valley, Califon and High Bridge-Morris County and Hunterdon County.
Distance - 16 miles
Terrain - flat, wooded, dirt railbed mostly, some road and pavement.
Highlights - Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area, one of the most beautiful places in NJ; great fly fishing area; bridge over the gorge; town of High Bridge-is this really NJ?
Directions (to Long Valley) - I287 to exit 35, Morristown; follow old Rte. 24 (now called Rte. 124) through Morristown, Mendham, Chester to Long Valley. Make right in Long Valley, up huge mountain, Schooley's Mountain; very quickly on your left will be the beginning of the rail-line (between some houses). Park anywhere. This is a linear trail so you have to come back.
Directions (to High Bridge) - I287 to I78 West; take exit to Clinton; follow Rte. 31 in Clinton to Rte. 513 North; this takes you to High Bridge; look for the railroad bridge on West Main Street; turn left; the path is on your right; look for the Hunterdon County Park Commission sign. Park anywhere.


High Point State Park
1480 State Route 23 - Sussex, NJ 07461-3605 - 973-875-4800


Location - Township of Sussex, Sussex County
Distance - 8.5 or 13.4 miles loops
Terrain - highly, dirt, rocky, rooty, some singletrack; paved and dirt roads.
Highlights - High Point Monument; scenic views; camping, fishing, boating; access to Appalachian trail (NO BIKES)
Directons - I80 to Rte. 23 North to park, about 7 miles north of Sussex; park in the AT lot and go to park headquarters for info.

Stokes State Forest
1 Coursen Road - Branchville, NJ 07826 - 973-948-3820


Location - Town of Branchville, Sussex County
Distance - 17.25 mile loop; optional paved roads too.
Terrain-rolling hills, steep climbs; rocky, muddy at times, singletrack.
Highlights - Tillman Ravine; waterfall; camping, boating, swimming, fishing; near Peter's Valley Craft Community, a real gem; great hiking.
Directions - I80 to Rte. 15 North; to Rte. 206; follow until you reach park on right; look for JumboLand; it's a great hot dog, etc. place.


Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Peter's Valley Loop - Bushkill, PA. 18324-9999 or
Peter's Valley Craft Center - 19 Kuhn Road - Layton, NJ 07851-9702


Location - Layton, Sussex County
Distance - 15 miles
Terrain - rolling hills, flat, dirt, gravel pavement.
Highlights - Peter's Valley Craft Center; Buttermilk Falls; Millbrook Village; lots of historic sites and incredible scenery. This more like mountain bike touring than serious off-road.
Directions - I80 to Rte. 15 North to Rte. 206; go past Stokes State Forest; make left onto Rte. 615 towards Layton; go through Layton to Peter's Valley; park at Peter's Valley; make right at entrance of Peter's Valley; follow road and you'll see trails off the paved roads. You have to explore some to find everything.


Paulinskill Valley Trail
c/o Swartswood State Park - PO Box 123 - Swartswood, NJ 07877-0123


Location - Sussex and Warren Counties
Distance - approximately 55 miles
Terrain - flat; gravel, cinder, dirt
Highlights - beautiful surrounding farms and woods; historical significance of old rail-line and construction techniques of 150 years ago; leisurely riding; good for families.
Directions - I80 to Rte. 15N to Rte. 206 to Rte. 94; from 94, about 6 miles south of junction with Rte. 206 in Newton, turn right (north), onto Fairview Hill Road; right onto Fredon-Marksboro Road (.0.9 miles); left onto Dixon Road; (look for Water Wheel Farm) go to bottom of Dixon Road where it turns into Cedar Ridge Road; go 1/2 mile and you'll see the Paulinskill signs; park on the left. You can ride east or west both over 25 miles.

Little Falls Railroad

Location - Little Falls; near Paterson
Distance - 7 miles
Terrain - flat; dirt, cinder and gravel. great ride for beginners.
Highlights - a river runs along the park; Cedar Grove Park
Directions - I80; exit 53. take Rte. 46 east to Browertown Rd. Turn right and end of ramp and follow to a T. At T, turn right onto Main Street. Passaic Valley High School is on the right. Park at school; from parking lot, bear right to grassy clearing; cross Hudson St.; left onto Francisco Ave. to railroad bed.
These are the rides that we currently know in North Jersey. This guide does not cover rides outside of NJ yet. If you have more information to add, please do so by e-mail, fax or letter. Any corrections or comments, please send them to us.

When you are riding, please follow all the IMBA rules and use your common sense; you know the drill; we're the new kids on the block and everyone's out to get us; so please ride responsibly and be friendly to all.

Central Jersey

Round Valley Recreation Area
Lebanon/Stanton Road - Lebanon, NJ 08833 - 908-236-6355

Location - Township of Clinton; Hunterdon County
Distance - 16 mile loop
Terrain - rocky, hilly, dirt, gravel, cinder, logs; expert trails
Highlights - Swimming, fishing, camping, picnic areas;
one of the most challenging riding area in NJ.
Directions - I287 to I78 West; exit 20A (Lebanon); follow signs to Round Valley; right turn at first light onto Rte. 22 west; take first jughandle to Round Valley; go straight through light onto Round Valley Access road. Main entrance is 2 miles on left (go past boat launch).


Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
643 Canal Road - Somerset, NJ 08873 - 732-873-3050

Location - Mercer County, Hunterdon County
Distance - overall-64 miles; main canal (New Brunswick to Trenton)-34 Miles; the feeder (Trenton to Frenchtown)-30 miles.
Terrain - Flat; gravel, crushed stone, dirt. Wooded and open areas.
Highlights - river and canal history; sight-seeing in various towns; Bull's Island Recreation Area and Washington Crossing State Park-camping, picnic areas.
Directions - (to feeder canal)-from I95 in Trenton; take Rte. 29 north; go 2.5 miles to Rte. 546; turn left to Washington Crossing Park. Trail goes either direction.
(to main canal)- Near Princeton; canal is west of US1, east of downtown Princeton. From intersection of US1 and Rte. 571 (Washington Road), go south on US1, a distance of 1/2 mile and turn right. This is Alexander road; go 1/2 mile and you will see the park.


Henry Hudson Trail
c/o Monmouth County Park Commission - 805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1695 - 732-842-4000

Location - Aberdeen, Middletown, Atlantic Highlands; Monmouth County
Distance - 9 miles long
Terrain - cinder, flat rail-trail; some pavement and improved surfaces.
Highlights - great family, entry-level riding. Links to Raritan Bay, Gateway National Recreation Area, Twin Lights Historic Site.
Directions - GS Parkway to exit 117A; go through toll booth; turn left at T-intersection; Parking lot is just beyond next traffic light on left side.


Hartshorne Woods Park
c/o Monmouth County Park Commission - 805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1695 - 732-842-1695

Location - Middletown-MonmouthCounty
Distance - 11 miles
Terrain - hilly, dirt, sand, gravel, some pavement; well-maintained, mountain-bike specific trails.
Highlights - well-marked and maintained trails; Battery Lewis historic military site, picnic and hiking areas, Navesink River. Be careful to follow park rules in dismount area; tickets will be issued if you do not abide by the minor inconvenience.
Directions - GS Parkway; exit 117. Take Rte. 36 east for 12 miles to Scenic Dr. exit. Turn right at stop sign at end of exit. Parking lot is 1/2 mile on left.


Huber Woods
c/o Monmouth County Park Commission - 805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1695 - 732-842-4000

Location - Locust; Monmouth County
Distance - 6 miles
Terrain - Similar to Hartshorne; hilly singletrack; dirt, some log jumps; smooth and fast well-maintained trails.
Highlights - excellent and legal riding trails; walking and hiking trails; horseback riding allowed; environmental center, bird-viewing area, reptile house, a discovery path and other support services are located here.
Directions - About 1 mile from Hartshorne. Take Rte. 35 to Navesink River Road. Take Navesink River Road for 2.8 miles east to Brown's Dock Road. Turn left; park entrance is at top of the hill.


Clayton Park
c/o Monmouth County Park Commission - 805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1695 - 732-842-4000

Location - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Distance - 6.5 miles
Terrain - fast, tight and winding singletrack riding; relatively flat with a few hills; smooth dirt; not too many rocks or roots.
Highlights - well-maintained trails; kind of isolated and not real popular yet with riders; hiking, walking and horseback riding are all popular here also.
Directions - I95 (east of Allentown, NJ) to exit 11 for Imlaystown/Cox's Corner. Go south for 1/2 mile to end of road. Turn left at T-intersection to Rte. 526 and make immediate turn onto Imlaystown-Davis Station Road. Follow to Emley's Hill Road. Turn left to parking lot 3/4 mile down on the left.


Manaquan Resevoir
c/o Monmouth County Park Commission - 805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1695 - 732-919-0996

Location - Howell Township; Monmouth County
Distance - 5 miles
Terrain - flat; gravel; easy family, recreational riding.
Highlights - walking, hiking horseback riding are popular here; boating, fishing; non-technical riding.
Directions - I95 to exit 28 for Rte. 9 North. Take first right for Georgia Tavern Road. Take first right onto Windeler Road; main entrance is 1-1/2 mile on left.


Allaire State Park
PO Box 220 - Farmingdale, NJ 07727 - 732-938-2371

Location - Town of Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Distance - 10 miles; several different loops
Terrain - flat to slightly hilly; sand, dirt gravel; no rocks.
Highlights - camping, canoeing, nature center; lots of horseback riders here; close to Edgar Felix Bike Path - this is a paved eight mile round trip ride; historical sightseeing.
Directions -I95, exit 31B; go east on Rte. 524; avoid main entrance, there's a parking fee, go past main entrance for 1.5 miles and turn at first right after golf course onto Hospital Road. Go 1.2 miles; go to large parking lot on your right.
From GS Parkway take exit 98; follow signs to Allaire State Park; watch for signs to Hospital Road on left after turning right onto Rte. 524.


Sourlands Mountain Preserve
c/o Somerset County Park Commisssion - PO Box 5327 - North Branch, NJ 08876
908-722-1200

Location - Hillsborough and Montgomery Townships; Somerset County
Distance - 6 miles
Terrain - rocky, twisty singletrack. some totally impassable. Good if you're a trials riding fan.There is a fire road which is less rocky and technical also. Big, long, steep hills.
Directions - Rte. 206 to Amwell Road (Rte. 514); go 3 miles on Amwell Road to take a left onto East Mountain Road; Park is 2 miles on right.


Washington Valley Park / Aka Chimney Rock Park
c/o Somerset County Park Commission - PO Box 5327 - North Branch, NJ 08876
908-722-1200

Location - Martinsville, Somerset County
Distance - 20 miles; different loops
Terrain-long hills; some flat, twisty singletrack; technical riding.
Highlights - park is mostly trails; hiking and fishing.
Many more trails in Chimney Rock sections than in White Rock section. Explore and you'll find a lot of riding.
Directions - I287 to Rte. 22 east. Turn right at first exit for Thompson Ave./Bound Brook/Martinsville. Take immediate right jughandle for Martinsville and cross over Rte. 22. Turn left at stop sign. Follow road up through gorge; as road levels out, park will be on the left (Chimney Rock). Park here.
For western loop-go past park; turn left at T. Turn left onto Newman's Lane in 1/2 mile. Take Newman's Lane across narrow bridge; park in small lot on right.


Mercer County Park
c/o Mercer County Parks Commission - 640 S. Broad St. - PO Box 8068
Trenton, NJ 08650 - 609-989-6530

Location - Hamilton and West Windsor Townships; Mercer County
Distance-13 miles
Terrain - very rooty, rideable logs; flat, mostly singletrack. When it rains, turns into a swamp.
Highlights - lots of trails and riding; boating, pincicking areas, nice lake; athletic fields.
Directions - Rte. 1 to Quakerbridge Road South (Rte. 533). 2 miles on Quakerbridge Rd., turn left onto Hughes Ave.; park entrance is 1/2 mile on left. take first left off of the park and park your car at the West Picnic Area.

Voorhees State park
Rte. 513 - High Bridge, NJ 08829 - 908-638-6969

Location - High Bridge; Hunterdon County
Distance -?
Terrain - fireroads; beginner trails
Highlights - near Ken Lockwood Gorge-combine the two rides. Very pretty area.
Directions - see High Bridge Line-find Rte. 513 outside of High Bridge.

These are the rides that we currently know in Central Jersey. This guide does not cover rides outside of NJ yet. If you have more information to add, please do so by e-mail, fax or letter. Any corrections or comments, please send them to us.

When you are riding, please follow all the IMBA rules and use your common sense; you know the drill; we're the new kids on the block and everyone's out to get us; so please ride responsibly and be friendly to all.

South Jersey

Lebanon State Forest
PO Box 215 - New Lisbon, NJ 08064 - 609-726-1191

Location - Hammonton, Burlington County
Distance - 12.4 miles
Terrain - flat; Pine Barrens; it's sandy
Highlights - Batsto Historic Village; camping, cabins, fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, bridle trails. Lots of birds, and abundant flora and fauna; bald eagles can be seen. Soils can be difficult to ride in so plan your trips carefully and bring adequate supplies.
Directions - GS Parkway - follow signs to Batsto Village. Park at Village and go to visitor's center. Buy maps here and explore trails and roads.


Parvin State Park
Rd 1 Box 374 - Elmer, NJ 08318 - 609-358-8616

Location - Elmer Township; Salem County
Distance - 4.4 miles
Terrain - Flat, dirt, hard sand, broken pavement.
Highlights - nature programs; fishing, boating, swimming, picnic areas, camping and cabins; out-of-the way small park; good family recreation area.
Directions - near Vineland on Rte. 540 (Almond Road); or 7 miles northwest of Bridgeton. It can be reached off Rte. 55 from interchange 35.
These are the rides that we currently know in South Jersey. This guide does not cover rides outside of NJ yet. If you have more information to add, please do so by e-mail, fax or letter. Any corrections or comments, please send them to us.

When you are riding, please follow all the IMBA rules and use your common sense; you know the drill; we're the new kids on the block and everyone's out to get us; so please ride responsibly and be friendly to all