Watchung Reservation - Park in Mountainside - Historic Trail, USA

Great place for a hike. The lakeside/dam side trails are definitely more enjoyable though. The mountainside ones are full of rocks and mud. Nothing unpassable, but annoying in comparison. If you're doing the full loop, I recommend going counterclockwise from the nature center

***3 1/2 stars*** I live half an hour away from Watchung, and the fact that I can count the number of times I've been here over the last decade on one paw tells you something - this isn't one of my favorites. This was selected as the site of our annual First of the Year Hike due to its proximity to a specific top-tier chum. At first glance, Watchung Reservation has a lot going for it; oodles of history seeping out of every pore, culminating with the deserted village of Feltville (and a conveniently named Historic Trail leading us almost right to the entrance of it). But...it's Union County. This is the best hiking option in the area, and it unfortunately just doesn't mean much. We met up in the parking lot of the Trailside Nature and Science Center, and embarked on a 4- to 5-mile hike (everyone's devices provided different mileage numbers). It was entirely improvised, as every official hike I could find in my books and online was over 6 miles, which meant a lot of stopping to peer intently at our maps/phones. Annoying overall, but the geosenses triumphed and we were never off-course. (One of the benefits to Watchung is that it's almost impossible to get lost - go in one direction long enough, and you'll either hit Route 78 or a nearby suburban enclave.) We took the purplish Historic Trail from the Scout Camping Area over and around Lake Surprise, uphill closer to 78 until turning off onto the Sierra Trail into Feltville and visiting both the village and the nearby cemetery. We then made our way onto another offshoot of the Sierra to the Blue Trail, crossing Blue Brook, until it turned into the Orange Trail and brought us back to the parking lot. The trail markings are decent and freshly painted; the problem though is that there are WAY too many trails, and all of them are named. So instead of accepting the fact that you have a random, unofficial deer path or something (which is a very common occurrence in a park/reservation), they insisted that that path ALSO needs to share the name of an official trail. This is why the Sierra Trail seems to have five or six different trails. It's needless, and in an effort to provide options for hikers, it actually creates a disorienting sensation. At least two or three times we came to an intersection and noticed that both ways had the same color trail blaze. We had to spend an extra minute or two staring at our source material to figure out which Sierra Trail we should go on. If they're going to insist that everything be blazed, at the very least you need to have better signage at the intersections. I appreciated that there were three or four signs leading me to the restrooms near the Nature Center, but it would have been nice if that sentiment had carried over into the woods too. The quality of the trail varied dramatically depending on where we were. Understandably the areas near Surprise Lake had some muddy stretches - made more interesting by the damp end to 2023 - but I wouldn't classify any of it as egregious. The Sierra Trail on the north end heading toward Feltville was my least favorite part, and I'm betting that's true for a lot of people. The noise from 78 is loud so if you're looking for some solace in nature, it's not going to be in this spot. Feltville is a legitimately interesting stop on the way, though it's not as spooky as it used to be. They've cleaned up a lot of the structures so only two or three of them now look like drug dens (which is probably a good thing - not a particularly hot take) but it doesn't look quite as authentic, deserted village-wise. The cemetery just off to the north is a cool little detour if you have the time, and easy to locate with the signage (it's also visible from multiple parts of Feltville). Your mileage may vary, but this to me is more of a walk in the woods/exploring cool old building versus a real hike (which is fine). But given that, they should really spend some time making these trails/paths more coherent for the masses.

The Google location will take you to the starting sign board for Watchung reservation, which is in the middle of the road. Use the location for the loop playground, which is kind of in the middle and access to all the places in the reservation. In the reservation, there is a well maintained playground and park area. Kids have good play areas, small rock climbing area mist sunflowers. Part of Watchhung reservation. There are good small trails also nearby, which kids will enjoy as they go through pretty thick woods. A lot of birds and insects could be seen on the trail. There is a small lake, and there is a trail that goes around the lake as well. The lake is not clean, so we can't go near water. The end of the trail has a small damage, which didn't have any water flowing. The natural area has stuffed animal exhibits and the details for reading which kids will enjoy. Overall, it was a good place to take small kids for a weekend afternoon

Several different trails to choose from for hiking. Visitors center, nature center, pamphlets, maps, trailside information posts in historic areas, deserted village, historic graveyard, Lake Surprise with dam and small waterfall, playground and special needs accessible sensory trail. Lots to explore and learn.

Need a good hike? This place is pretty good. There is lots to do. The science museum is not too far from this lake. There's also the Deserted Village. It rained a bit but overall it was great.

Great place for kids & family. Playground, Trails, Picnic area. Free parking but need to drive around thru different entrance.

Watchung Reservation offers so much if you enjoy the outdoors. There's many hiking trails through all types of terrian. I'd say about 85% is easy flat walking and 15% is steep climbing. You do need to watch where you step because even the flat roads are full of rocks and tree roots. Some trails were overgrown and narrow as well. I do think they need more signs to point to where the visitor center is to help orient the hikers since there are so many intersecting trails that can get confusing. Majority of the hike is under the shade so it is cool during the summer too. But it is bugs galore! However, I did see many trails littered with garbage. Such a sad sight to behold.

There are a lot of great trails to walk. Some are better kept than others, but that just adds to the adventure. Definitely download a map from Union County, very helpful and can scan QR code at most of the parks to get map.