Hiking
Hiking at Newark Watershed is by permit ONLY. Hikers can access Bearfort Mountain, Buckabear Mountain and Pond, Highlands Trail and other trails on the property. Enjoy walking a variety of trails linking to the much grander interstate (no single map covers it), including: an old trail, new trail, road walk combination, which, when completed, should lead explorers from the Connecticut border, more than 150 miles all the way to the Delaware River.
Hiking: (on designated trails and specific days of the year)
*We offer 15%/$5 off all permits for disabled veterans; (VA card must list disability status)
Newark Residents: $ 13.00 Non-Newark Residents: $19.00
Newark Seniors: $ 9.00 Non-Newark Seniors : $13.00
Permits for organized group hikes are
available, provided a written request is received two weeks in advance of
intended use. The imposition of a minimal fee will be left up to the discretion
of the Watershed permit office.
~Parking~
Vehicle parking is permitted only in
Watershed designated parking areas and at the head of most trails. If these
areas are full, please park on the road shoulder, well off of the road.
~ Season~
- Hiking is permitted on
all approved Watershed hiking Trails on all days.
- Hiking is permitted on
all approved Watershed riding Trails after 1:00pm on all weekdays and Saturdays
so as to avoid conflict with the Wild Turkey Hunting Season.
- Hiking is permitted on
all approved Watershed hiking Trails on all days.
-
Hiking is permitted on all approved Watershed Hiking Trails on Sundays, so as
to avoid conflict with hunters.
-
Hiking is permitted in the Echo Lake Conservation area bounded by Echo Lake
Road, Kanouse, Gould, Macopin and Route 23 on all days and the Hank Pond
Conservation area bounded by Van Order, Clinton, Union Valley and Stephens
Roads (except for Cedar Pond and its northern bog).
Hiking Trail Descriptions
BWC (Yellow): Major N-S trail starts at 0.4 miles as a left off Coal Road. Heading South trail crosses Mossman's Brook three times. Trail travels South through laurel patch and grassy slopes to old pipe line. From here you can turn around or travel East to ClintonRoad at P4.
FTW (Yellow): Starts at P2 and is a 1.9 mile trail with rock ridges on right then climb to ridge with good view of Cedar Pond and the valley below.
FTR (Red/White): Starts 0.4 north of P1 off Clinton Road and runs North 2 miles to Bearfort Fire Tower. First mile follows an old woods road then runs on top of interesting rock range with open views of mountain slopes.
HW (Blue/White): Starts on west side of Hanks Pond. This mostly level trail follows an old woods road past Hank Pond 2.5 miles north to junction with Stephens Road.
HT (Teal/Diamond): From Macopin Road, go around Echo Lake to Kanouse Road, cross Gould Road, Union Valley Road, HE(w). HW (BW) and up to Fire Tower, then go south on FTW (Y) to CW (W) around Clinton Resrvoir,w est to Dunker Pond and out to Canistear Road at Route 23 (about 20 miles).
TB (White): Starts at P4, travels East to West to meet with FTW trail. Trail crosses several small ridges and two brooks (Cedar and Clinton), both on lodge bridges.
CW (White): From P9, 1.6 miles North to junction with BWC. Perfect for family walks with nice views of reservoir and Clinton point, originally built by the CCC in the 1930s.
ELE (White): Starts near Echo Lake boat Launch and hugs the shoreline. Trail is mostly leveled, 2.8 miles.
Rules & Regulations
1. Each person who wishes to hike on the Newark’s Watershed property must obtain a valid hiking permit.
2. Hiking is restricted to those marked trails indicated on the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference map
provided in this brochure.
3. Hikers must carry their permit while hiking and should conspicuously display the decal on the vehicle inside
left rear window in the lower right hand corner.
4. Hiking is prohibited on or through those areas posted or designated as restricted.
5. Related uses such as photography, bird-watching and cross country skiing permitted under this permit.
6. The photographing of damsor power lines is prohibited.
7. No fires, swimming, littering, unleashed pets, sunbathing, picnicking, all-terrain vehicles or camping is permitted on Watershed property.
8. Hiking is permitted from sunrise to sunset.
9. Hikers, be prepared. Carry a map, cellular telephone, water, snacks and a flashlight. Let someone know
where you are and your expected time of return.
THE CITY OF NEWARK THANKS THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR TIME AND EFFORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS TRAILS SYSTEM. A SPECIAL THANKS AND RECOGNITION IS AWARDED TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NY -NJ TRAILS CONFERENCE FOR THEIR CONTINUAL DILIGENT EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THESE TRAILS. See www.nynjtc.org
