Environmental Center

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2026

June 6, 2026
8:00am - 1:00pm

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2026

Saturday, June 6; 9am to 1pm

For all ages. Celebrate the first annual National Trails Day with the Essex County Parks Department! A variety of hikes for all ages and abilities will be offered in select Essex County Parks locations, led by the Essex County Environmental Center, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and our partner organizations—South Mountain Conservancy, Hilltop Conservancy, Branch Brook Park Alliance, NYNJ Trail Conference, and the New York City Parks Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECaN). FREE

 
LED BY ESSEX COUNTY PARKS – Environmental Center
Essex County Hilltop Reservation
Time: 9:30am to 11am & 11:30am to 1pm
Meet at:  Hilltop Dog Park, Courter Lane, North Caldwell, NJ 07006
Distance: 1.5 hours, 2.5 miles, Intermediate Level
For all ages.  Led by Essex County Environmental Center Senior Naturalist David Alexander and joined by Chris Lawrence of the Hilltop Conservancy. We’ll begin at Courter Lane and follow the Arrowhead Trail uphill to the site of the historic Essex Mountain Sanitorium. The area has been converted into a wildlife habitat and wildflower meadow by the Hilltop Conservancy. We’ll search around for birds, butterflies, blooms and other natural wonders before returning to the trailhead. REGISTER HERE
 
Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation
Time: 9:30am to 11am & 11:30am to 1pm
Meet at: Eagle Rock Reservation, Crest Drive, West Orange, NJ 07052
Distance: 1.5 hours, 1.5 miles, Intermediate Level
For all ages. Led by Essex County Environmental Center Naturalist Maura Toomey. We’ll begin on the Crosswood Bridal Path before connecting with the blue trail to reach a stone bridge over a stream that is the headwaters of the Peckman River. We’ll discover nature and explore a stream and an interesting basalt rock outcrop of the Watchung Mountain range known as the sleeping giant. We’ll return by way of the Green Trail as we parallel the stream to connect with the purple blazed Glen Bridal Path to return to the trailhead. REGISTER HERE
 
LED BY ESSEX COUNTY PARKS – Turtle Back Zoo
Essex County Orange Reservoir, South Mountain Reservation
Time: 9am to 10:30am and 11am to 12:30pm
Meet at: Clipper Pavilion on Orange Reservoir, Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ 07052, Parking at Regatta Playground Parking Lot
Distance: 1.5hours, 2miles, Beginner Level
For families with children ages 6 and older. Led by Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Educator Katie Fenyar. Join us for an exciting outdoor adventure as we explore nature on a gentle hike. Get outside and leisurely explore all the wild things around the Orange Reservoir.  REGISTER HERE
 
LED BY SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY
Essex County South Mountain Reservation - Fairy Trail/Locust Grove Area Hike
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Meet at: Essex County South Mountain Reservation, Locust Grove Parking Lot. Glen Ave across the street from the Millburn Free Public Library
Distance: 3-4 miles, Intermediate Level Must be able to walk 2.2 mph in order to meet the scheduled time.
Join South Mountain Conservancy Hike Leader Donna Burkat for a moderately paced hike with hills.
Leader: Donna Burkat- 973-454-5635 call or text if you need to cancel.
REGISTER HERE: National Trails Day Hike w/ Donna ~4 miles , Sat, Jun 6, 2026, 9:30 AM | Meetup
 
Essex County South Mountain Reservation - Tulip Springs Area Hike
Time: 8am-11am
Meet at: Essex County South Mountain Reservation, Tulip Springs Parking Lot, Cherry Lane
Distance: 5+ miles, Intermediate level.
Suitable for ages 16 and up. From Tulip Springs the Lenape trail takes us to Oakdale then to the walkway around the Waterfront, where we pick up the Zoo Loop. We will continue on Zoo loop, passing the Turtle Back Zoo and Codey Arena on Northfield Ave. After visiting turtle back rock, we head back to Tulip Springs on the lower turtle back trail.
Leader: Sharon Salmon 973-715-5554 (cell)
REGISTER HERE: National Trails Day Hike w/ Sharon ~6 miles, Sat, Jun 6, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup  
 
LED BY BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE
ESSEX COUNTY BRANCH BROOK PARK
The Olmsted Trek: Trails, Trees & Tranquility
Time: 8am to 9:30am (followed by complimentary yoga session)
Meet at: Essex County Branch Brook, Prudential Concert Grove, Branch Brook Park Drive, Newark, NJ 07104
Distance: 3.5 miles, 1.5hours, Moderate Level
For adults and families with children ages 10 and older. Start your morning with intention and movement as we explore 3.5 miles of Essex County Branch Brook Park’s most iconic landscapes. This flat, brisk-paced hike begins at 8am at the Olmsted Bust in Prudential Concert Grove, winding through three of the park’s four divisions, including a two-mile loop on the rubberized Lenape Trail. Along the way, discover the park’s rich horticulture and historical design from our expert guide while taking in the beauty of its native flora and fauna. After your walk, stay for a complimentary yoga session at 10am to center your body and spirit in nature. 
Pre-registration required here: https://branchbrookpark.org/wellness.html 
 
LED BY NYC PARKS PLANT ECOLOGY CENTER AND NURSERY (PECAN) 
Seed Collection and Ecology at Essex County South Mountain Reservation
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Meet at: Locust Grove Parking Lot, Millburn, NJ 07041 (Fairy Trail Lot) 
Distance: 2-2.5 hours, Moderate Level
For Ages 14 and older.  Meet for a hike through the various habitats at South Mountain Reservation.  Employees of PECAN will discuss native plant and bird species along the trail.  They will also discuss seed collection and the center's role in seed-based restoration in the NYC metro region.  If the timing is right, hikers may be able to participate in a seed collection.  REGISTER HERE