Garret Mountain Reservation
Park Overview:
Situated on a ridge 500 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Reservation offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City.
Park Description:
Garret Mountain, located in Paterson and Woodland Park, is divided into two separate Passaic County parks: Garret Mountain Reservation to the north and Rifle Camp Park to the south.
The 568-acre Garret Mountain Reservation includes Lambert Castle, built in 1893 by Catholina Lambert, a wealthy silk manufacturer. Many workers believed that he built it high up on the mountain to watch over his mills below. The main portion of the park - on the ridgetop above the castle - is encircled by a paved drive and has a variety of developed recreational facilities, but it also features three trails that traverse lesser-used areas and offer several panoramic overlooks. The New York City skyline can be seen from several overlooks along the Yellow Trail.
Lambert Observation Tower, built in 1896 on the ridge of the mountain, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Closed since 1971, it re-opened in 2014. When open to the public, visitors can climb to the top of the 75-foot tower and enjoy commanding views of Paterson and the distant New York City skyline.
Garret Mountain is a destination for birds – both migratory and local -- and for birders. It is one of twelve National Natural Landmarks (NNL) designated in New Jersey by the National Park Service. The NNL Program encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of biological and geological features found throughout the country.
Special note: this area is especially rich in labor and industrial history. A fabulous day or two can be spent by combining visits to:
- Lambert Castle, library and art museum, home of Passaic County Historical Society, on Garret Mountain.
- The Paterson Museum-Thomas Rodgers Building [manufactured steam engines], Paterson.
- The Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and related raceway system [source of water power]
- The American Labor Museum/Botto House [1913 silk strike headquarters], 83 Norwood Street, Haledon
Trails Overview:
The Reservation features three major blazed trails.
- The Yellow Trail circles around Garret Mountain Reservation [yellow blaze; 3.1 miles]. Access points with parking are scattered throughout the park, including one located near the 70-foot high Observation Tower. The steep former Yellow Trail spur from the Lambert Castle parking area (shown on older trail maps) has now been incorporated into the Morris Canal Greenway – and re-blazed accordingly with its logo.
- Alert: As of September 2019, he asphalt path between Lambert Castle and Lambert Tower is closed indefinitely. This section of the Greenway is awaiting installation of new metal railings to replace the rotted-out wooden ones.
- The Morris Canal Greenway segment that runs through the Reservation includes a section of the pathway that is roughly parallel to the original Canal now covered by I-80 and Route 19. This trail offers a head-on north-facing view of downtown Paterson. Click for a map showing parking and access points to the Morris Canal Greenway. Zoom in to the northern end of Garret Mountain Reservation to view access points which include Lambert Castle parking area and another at Summit Avenue. The Greenway actually includes two routes: The Garret Mountain Reservation route is hiking only (displayed in green on the map); while another planned route down below will be multi-use and follows roads and sidewalks where available (displayed in yellow).
- The White Trail traverses the northern end of the park and connects at both ends with the Yellow Trail, making possible additional loop hikes.
Blazed trails in the park range from 0.7 to 3.1 miles, and when combined total over 8 miles. Other unblazed major trails and minor trails add to the total -- use "Web Map" link.
It is possible to walk seven tenths of a mile on the sides of major roads and local streets from Garret Mountain Reservation to Rifle Camp Park. (enter “Garret Mountain Reservation, Woodland Park, NJ” in an Internet map search service to view a street map).
- No fee for parking or hiking, just admission to Lambert Castle
- The Friends of Garret Mountain serves "to help preserve, protect, and enhance the natural beauty of Garret Mountain Reservation and Rifle Camp Park."
Click for detailed descriptions of hikes in the Reservation.
Park Acreage:
568.00 acresMunicipality:
Woodland Park, PatersonSituated on a ridge 500 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Reservation offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City.
Garret Mountain, located in Paterson and Woodland Park, is divided into two separate Passaic County parks: Garret Mountain Reservation to the north and Rifle Camp Park to the south.
The 568-acre Garret Mountain Reservation includes Lambert Castle, built in 1893 by Catholina Lambert, a wealthy silk manufacturer. Many workers believed that he built it...
Park Acreage:
568.00 acresMunicipality:
Woodland Park, PatersonContact Information
Web Link:
Passaic County Parks DepartmentPhone:
Not availableFees:
NoneDogs in park:
Dogs on leashHike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.