Trails in Somerset County

Somerset County is full of scenic parks with numerous hiking and biking trails and other recreational activities. Below you can find a list of some of Somerset County’s parks and trails by town. Each park listed includes information from either the Somerset County Park Commission website or a link to trail maps on AllTrails, a crowd-sourcing site with maps, reviews and photos from other outdoor enthusiasts.

Bedminster

Bedminster Hike & Bikeway

The Bedminster Hike & Bikeway is a 6.53 mile trail that connects the Bedminster Village Area to The Hills housing development, as well as all three Bedminster township parks. This trail is for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Bernards Township / Basking Ridge

Great Swamp Refuge

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Established in 1960, the Great Swamp is an important resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds. Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants can be found on the refuge.

Lord Stirling Park

Lord Stirling Park is located in Basking Ridge and is near the Great Swamp. The Somerset County Environmental Education Center is located in Lord Stirling Park.

Bound Brook / South Bound Brook

Delaware & Raritan Canal

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is one of central New Jerseys most popular recreational corridors for canoeing, jogging, hiking, bicycling, fishing and horseback riding. The canal and towpath are part of the National Recreational Trail System.

Bridgewater

Duke Island Park

Located in Bridgewater Township, Duke Island Park is a site of rich natural beauty which offers varied recreational experiences. Visitors to the island park can hike, bike, picnic, play softball, ice skate and cross-country ski.

Washington Valley Park

Washington Valley Park consists of approximately 719 acres along the First Watchung Ridge. Within the park is the former Bound Brook Elizabethtown Reservoir and a vast network of trails.

Washington Rock State Park

Washington Rock State Park is one of the oldest parks in New Jersey and was a valuable lookout point for George Washington during the American Revolution. Today, families and visitors can see panoramic views and enjoy a picnic at the park’s picnic sites.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail

D&R Canal

The Delaware and Raritan Canal, or D&R Canal for short, is a 50.4 mile trail connecting Lambertville to Trenton to New Brunswick. In Somerset County, it travels through Montgomery, Rocky Hill, Hillsborough, Millstone, Franklin Township, Manville, Bound Brook and South Bound Brook. Also part of the East Coast Greenway, the trail is primarily used for hiking, horses, road biking, and mountain biking.

Far Hills

Natirar Park

Natirar, an anagram for Raritan, is a 404-acre property that was formerly the estate of Kate Macy Ladd and Walter Graeme Ladd. In 1983, the estate was sold to Hassan II, the King of Morocco, and Somerset County purchased the estate in 2003.

Franklin Township / Somerset

Colonial Park

With picnic areas, a softball field, fishing spots, trails, Spooky Brook Golf Course, a dog park and horticulture displays, Colonial Park has many recreational opportunities for visitors to explore.

Six Mile Run

Six Mile Run, part of the D&R Canal State Park, has trails for hiking and mountain biking ranging from 2.3 to 8 miles and from 39 to 108 feet above sea level.

Hillsborough

Duke Farms

With over 2,000 acres of farmland and woodlots, Duke Farms is a former estate with hiking and biking trails, an orchid range, gardens, and more. Duke Farms is also a leader in environmental stewardship and a resource for research on sustainability and conservation.

Sourland Mountain Preserve

Sourland Mountain Preserve is a 4,000-acre preserve making up the northeast point of the Sourland Region. The preserve offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, bouldering, and horseback riding.

Warren

East County Park

The 150-acre East County Park includes multi-use trails and fields that surround a pond and nearby meadows.