Newark-Pequannock Watershed

Having completed all of the marked hiking trails within the watershed listed on NY/NJ Trail Conference map #116, I have updated this photo gallery by dividing it into 4 specific regions: Echo Lake (Highlands Trail, Each Lake East, Echo Lake West), Fire Tower (Hanks East, Hanks West, Fire Tower Ridge, Fire Tower West, Highlands Trail, Two Brooks), Clinton Reservoir (Bearfort Waters Clinton or BWC, Clinton West, Buckabear Pond, Highlands Trail at Dunker Pond), and Morris to Sussex (Highlands Trail). If you want my recommendation for the five best hikes in Newark-Pequannock Watershed, I’ve got them listed here.

I’ve always said that Waywayanda is my favorite place to hike in northern New Jersey, but I’m thinking the watershed might rank a little higher for its fine ridgeline walks with long views in the Fire Tower area and for its diversity of visible wildlife. Additionally, it’s not nearly as populated as its northern cousin with whom it shares its border, which always gets two thumbs up from me!

The Newark-Pequannock Watershed region is a massive 3,500-acre natural area spanning throughout Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties. There are four major reservoirs within the park: Echo Lake, Clinton, Canistear and Oak Ridge. Three of the four are located on NY/NJ Trail Conference map #116. Several activities are available within the Watershed, including boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and hunting. The epic Highlands Trail (over 100 miles of trails connecting the Hudson River to the Delaware River) crosses through some of the best sections of the Watershed to give you a complete taste of the region. The terrain itself is not very diverse: it is all quite rocky with ridge walks amid mixed woods, so be sure to bring your trekking poles as they will come in very handy. The territory, on the other hand, offers an incredible range for hikers from shoreline hikes, woods and water trails, ridge walks offering spectacular views, to the smooth(-ish) Appalachian Valley. For the best views from the Fire Tower region, hike here before the trees leaf out in spring and during/after abscission in autumn (but every season is magical). Bears are very active in this area. Note that there are also active hunting seasons which allow hunters specific days/hours to do what they do. Hikers are advised to stay off the trails during those specified times (when you purchase your pass, you’ll be given a booklet that outlines hunting season practices).

PLEASE NOTE: HIKING THROUGH THE WATERSHED IS BY PERMIT ONLY. RANGERS PATROL THE AREA AND WILL ASK TO SEE YOUR PERMIT. FOR THE MINIMAL FEE OF $14.00 A NON-NEWARK RESIDENT IS ABLE TO EXPLORE THE MARKED TRAILS DURING ALL FOUR SEASONS.

HIKING OFF TRAIL IS NOT PERMITTED.

CAMPING, FIRES AND ATV VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WATERSHED.

Explore it