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Nature|Waterfalls

Hemlock Falls Trail Is A Beginner-Friendly Waterfall Trail In New Jersey That’s Great For A Family Hike

Hemlock Falls in New Jersey offers a scenic and family-friendly hiking trail with beautiful views and local wildlife.

Published Jul 12, 2020

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

It's probably fair to say that most people enjoy waterfalls, especially kids. New Jersey is home to an assortment of beautiful waterfalls, some that require little more than a short walk to reach and others that mean a picturesque hike. Bring the whole family along on this waterfall trail in New Jersey that offers some pretty unexpected surprises.

Nestled in South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, Hemlock Falls cascades down 25 feet, and you have several trails you can follow to reach it.

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All Trails/Mark Serrano

Today, we'll travel the Hemlock Falls Trail via the Yellow, White, and River Trail. Find a map of the trail from All Trails here.

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All Trails/Andrea Beck

The trail spans just under six miles and can get pretty crowded, especially on good weather days. While the trail is kid-friendly, you should expect a bit of challenging, rocky terrain.

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All Trails/Debora Oliveria

Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including adorable chipmunks, and you just might run across a few fairy houses too.

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All Trails/MM

To reach the top of Hemlock Falls, you'll have to climb a set of stairs, although the views at the top are definitely worth it.

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All Trails/Mark Serrano

Expect a lot of people taking photos by the waterfall, and don't forget your camera or smartphone so you can snap photos, too.

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All Trails/Igor Tserkun

Though the waterfall is beautiful all year around, it's particularly pretty after a rainfall.

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All Trails/Alyssa Marie Gonzalez

Hemlock Falls is one of those natural wonders you'll definitely want to check out at different times of the year - during the spring or summer, when it's flanked by fall foliage, and when it's frozen in the winter.

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All Trails/Susie Robertson

Click here for the official website of South Mountain Reservation. Or, go

here for Facebook.

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All Trails/Holly Ellis

Have you ever hiked Hemlock Falls waterfall trail in New Jersey? Do you have any tips for other hikers? Let us know in the comments! For another fun adventure, follow the two-hour road trip around New Jersey's waterfall loop.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Magnificent Waterfall In New Jersey That’s Located Only Minutes From Main Street

Not only is there a great hidden waterfall in NJ hiding in the town of Little Falls, but it's found in a quaint park with little walking.

Published Sep 12, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New Jersey has some amazing waterfalls, most of them in our many parks and mountains. A day trip to explore these amazing cascades is always worth it - but sometimes there's just no time for that! So what happens when you need the calming effect of a waterfall, but you don't have time to head to the biggest? Well, we discovered an incredible hidden waterfall in NJ waiting in the town of Little Falls - and it's surprisingly close to the town center! Found in a small park known as the Morris Canal Preserve, it's part of the Morris Canal Greenway - a still-under-construction trail that will ultimately connect four New Jersey counties over a whopping 111-mile stretch. It's still far from that goal, but this incredible waterfall is only one of the charming surprises you can see along the way. Read on to discover this hidden gem!

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To find New Jersey's best-hidden waterfall, just look for the archway reading "Morris Canal Preserve" - it's well-hidden, but it's your pathway to serenity.

Sign for Morris Canal Preserve with a staircase and greenery in the background. A person is walking down the stairs.
Burt Shoobs/Google Local

Inside, you'll find a small and rarely crowded park that's filled with nice shady spots for a hot day.

A park scene featuring a grassy area with trees, benches, and a path leading into a wooded area.
PR/AllTrails

Even when you go off the beaten path, the trails are pretty easy to navigate - so just follow them until you get to the water.

A wooden bridge leads over a small path surrounded by lush green foliage and trees.
PR AllTrails

It's a 0.2-mile walk along the Passaic River past some impressive old buildings before you reach your destination...

Historic stone building by a river, with clear blue skies and greenery along the water's edge.
Ricardo Monte/AllTrails

This is one of the smaller waterfalls in New Jersey, but it has powerful rushing water especially after a rainstorm.

A serene river scene with a waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and a bridge in the background under a blue sky.
Jenny Lai/AllTrails

It's a beautifully serene spot, and because it's hidden in plain sight, you'll rarely have too many people joining you - it's easy to get a great photo.

A waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush green trees and reflecting in the calm water below.
Ricardo Monte/AllTrails

The entry to the preserve is right across the street from the Valley National Bank on main street, which makes it easy to locate if you know what you're looking for.

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A small free library box on a post beside a picnic table in a green park area surrounded by trees and bushes.
PR/AllTrails

Have you visited this hidden waterfall in NJ in the town of Little Falls? What are your favorite spots along the Morris Canal Greenway? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section! If you want to learn more about the past, present, and future of the Morris Canal Greenway, check out the official website. There's more to do in Little Falls than just this spot, too - it's an amazing historic day trip. And if you're looking for a place to stay in the area, we recommend the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel & Suites Fairfield - it's only a ten-minute drive away.

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Nature|Waterfalls

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall in New Jersey Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The most secret waterfall in New Jersey, Kugler Falls is located close to the Pennsylvania border and is a worthy adventure to reach!

Published Sep 10, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

For a small and highly urban state, New Jersey has some amazing Garden State Waterfalls. Yet, for all the cascades everyone knows, there are some much better-hidden ones. These are the ones hiding in little-known state parks, that require a challenging hike to reach. Your reward? One of the best views in New Jersey. If you're up for the challenge, there's one of these secret waterfalls in New Jersey only minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The Kugler Woods Preserve, found in Stockton, is home to the Kugler Woods Preserve Trail, which leads you to the little-known Kugler Falls. This trail is less than half a mile, but it'll test you along the way. Read on to discover your next great waterfall adventure!

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A peaceful park scene with a person sitting on a bench, surrounded by green trees and two bicycles nearby.
Mike User/AllTrails

Kugler Woods Preserve is one of the most peaceful spots in New Jersey, a little nature preserve run by the Hunterdon Land Trust. It's a great spot to spend the day - but if you're up for it, there's a challenge awaiting with a great reward at the end.

A rocky creek bed surrounded by lush green trees and sunlight filtering through the foliage.
Heath G/AllTrails

The Kugler Woods Preserve Trail is only 0.4 miles, but this woodlands trail is rated moderate and is rarely very busy. You should bring good hiking boots and be prepared for some seriously uneven terrain.

A rocky creek surrounded by lush green trees and steep, moss-covered banks in a serene forest setting.
Shaun Williams/AllTrails

This trail includes bouldering and should only be attempted in good weather. You don't want slick boulders, but it's best to take this trail outside of dry seasons.

A serene waterfall cascading over rocky terrain, surrounded by dry leaves and trees in a natural setting.
Tamilyn Bee/AllTrails

That's because Kugler Falls, coming in at 12 feet, is only running when there's a sufficient waterflow. You'll want to come after a heavy rain, but once the area surrounding it has had a chance to dry off a bit.

A serene waterfall cascades over rocky terrain, surrounded by bare trees and a tranquil pool of water.
Khurtwilliams/Flickr

Your reward for this challenging journey is easily one of the most peaceful waterfalls in New Jersey. That it's so secret and is only running for some parts of the year makes it all the more special - like you're in on one of the Garden State's best little nature secrets.

Have you visited Kugler Falls in the Kugler Woods Preserve? Let us know about your visit to this secret waterfall in New Jersey in the comments section! You can see more photos of the trail on the official AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails + for this journey - you'll want its point-by-point directions on your side as you navigate this challenging trail. If you'd like to bunk down for the night before trying this trail, we found a great vacation home rental in Stockton.

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