Rutgers Eco Preserve Trailhead

Nice nature reserve considering it’s location, with decent trail options. Some of the trails aren’t marked but you can easily see where you’re going via Google maps. Def recommend for an hour or two out.

The Rutgers Eco-Preserve is several hundred acres of preserved/reclaimed woodlands and is a handy if imperfect woods breathing space (you'll hear road noise everywhere, but I did come across a beaver last time I was there). The area around the brook has some small ups and downs, while the area containing the Black aka Wildlife trail is mostly level with one exception. The woods around the brook are mixed, while the upper section tends towards evergreens. Trails are fairly well maintained but blazes aren't so take a map or your phone the first time. Apply mosquito and tick repellant if you plan to walk about, and be alert for mountain bikers on weekends. Note: M-F, folks without Rutgers parking privileges will find it easiest to park in Johnson Park across River Rd from the marked "Trailhead". Directions: NJ 27 to River Road (CR 622) in Highland Park, then left into park at Cedar Lane (CR 692) intersection (first left after train underpass), or NJ 18 to River Road (CR 622) exit, then left on River Road to Cedar Lane (CR 692) intersection, where you turn right into Johnson Park.

Easy trail and close to environment, Look for directions in All Trails app, rather than Google. Trail took around 1 and half hour.

I went there with my brother yesterday, I saw many white flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida) are blooming in early May.

Beautifully restored woodland and watershed. It was the perfect place to teach a toddler a love for nature, especially in a year in which COVID foreclosed so many other opportunities for travel. So many of New Jersey's waterways are polluted, dammed, and cramped with unattractive housing, and this is a wonderful exception. We especially loved seeing such a wide variety of ecosystems in a small area.