New Jersey

explore like never before

Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tips
Nature|Waterfalls

If There Are Only 5 Waterfall Hikes You Take In New Jersey, Make Them These

Discover five breathtaking waterfall hikes in New Jersey.

Published Oct 10, 2022

Written by 

Lauren Budden

New Jersey is full of breathtaking nature and amazing views. If you are looking for waterfalls, you need to check out these 5 great hikes. Each one will lead you past waterfalls and stunning scenery. Grab your hiking boots and get ready for an adventure!

1. Hemlock Falls Trail - Millburn, NJ.

A serene pond surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a clear blue sky. Reflections shimmer on the water's surface.
Kim Tadross/AllTrails
A small waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs, surrounded by greenery and a tranquil pool at the base.
Molly Hartman/AllTrails

The Hemlock Falls Trail via Lenape, Rahway, and River Trail is located within the South Mountain Reservation. This is a moderate hike that includes some inclines, rocks, and waterfalls. This loop trail is 5.8 miles long and will lead you to a beautiful small waterfall. Make sure you keep an eye out for fairy houses!

advertisement

2. Schooley's Mountain Boulder Gorge Loop Trail in Long Valley, NJ.

A sunlit forest path surrounded by lush green trees and rocky terrain.
Michael Galvidis/AllTrails
A serene waterfall cascading over rocky terrain, surrounded by lush greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees.
Eric Hreha/AllTrails

The Schooley's Mountain Boulder Gorge Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile long loop trail in Schooley's Mountain Park. This is a moderate hike that will take you past some stunning waterfalls and up some rocky inclines. This hike is perfect if you are looking for a short, yet challenging waterfall hike.

3. Hacklebarney Loop Trail in Long Valley, NJ.

A serene forest scene with a clear stream flowing over rocks, surrounded by lush green trees under a bright blue sky.
Michael Gorton/AllTrails
A flowing river cascades over rocks, surrounded by trees and autumn leaves in a serene natural setting.
Manuel Mateus/AllTrails

Hacklebarney Loop Trail in Hacklebarney State Park is a 2.1-mile loop trail. This short hike is moderately challenging and will take you past waterfalls, streams, and beautiful forest. Most of the trails are gravel, so this is a good choice if you want something a little less challenging.

advertisement

4. White Shore and Long Path Loop Trail in Rockleigh, NJ.

A scenic view of a rocky cliff covered in greenery, overlooking a river and blue sky.
Mike Rowles/AllTrails
A cascading waterfall flows down a rocky cliff surrounded by bare trees and rugged terrain.
Vito Tanzi/AllTrails

The White Shore and Long Path Loop Trail is located inside of Palisades Interstate Park. This loop trail is 4.1 miles long and is considered a hard hike. This challenging hike will take you up rocky scrambles, past some interesting ruins, and past a stunning waterfall.

5. Buttermilk Falls and Crater Lake Loop Trail in Newton, NJ.

A serene lake surrounded by trees and rocky shores, with fluffy clouds reflecting on the water's surface.
Dominic MacDonald/AllTrails
A serene waterfall cascades down moss-covered rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Igor Kuznetsov/AllTrails

The Buttermilk Falls and Crater Lake Loop Trail is 6.8 miles long and is considered a hard hike. This hike is located inside of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. You'll hike to New Jersey's tallest waterfall, Buttermilk Falls, and past all of the stunning views the Water Gap has to offer.

Have you hiked any of these great trails? Which one is your favorite waterfall?

If you are looking for a different type of waterfront hike, try one of these awesome beach hikes in New Jersey!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

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!

advertisement

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.

advertisement
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.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

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!

advertisement
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.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
Caves & Rock Formations

The Completely Free Natural Attraction Hiding in a Wyoming Park Is a Must-Visit

by Megan McDonald
on Nov 14
alt
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

This Natural Wonder in Idaho Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

by Courtnie Erickson
on Nov 14
alt
Food
Breweries & Wineries

The Best Apple Cider in Alaska Comes From This Award-Winning Hard Cidery

by Jennifer
on Nov 14
alt
Trip Ideas
Road Trips

The Scenic Road Trip That Leads to 5 of Oregon’s Most Charming Small Towns

by Natasha Kayes
on Nov 14
alt
Nature
Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Tennessee Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

by Chris Dodge
on Nov 14
The bright green grass on top of Roan Mountain overlooks layers of mountains in the distance.