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Lenape Trail
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Park Overview:
The 34-mile Lenape Trail is a unique urban/suburban trail network connecting 18 parks and 11 municipalities in Essex County. It offers a green respite in one of the most densely populated counties in the country.
See the Description tab for more information, including maps to explore the Lenape Trail.
Park Description:
Named in recognition of the Lenni-Lenape, the original inhabitants of this area, the Lenape Trail offers an easy escape to treasured green space including forested reservations, hilltop meadows, stunning overlooks, and rushing rivers. Along the way, those following the yellow blazes will find historic landmarks, community gardens, and three parks planned by Frederick Law Olmstead - the famed designer of New York City's Central Park. The Lenape Trail also connects to larger trail networks including the Patriots' Path, the West Essex Rail Trail, and the Morris Canal Greenway, and is itself a segment of the Liberty Water Gap Trail that connects Liberty State Park and the Delaware Water Gap.
Trail Map current as of October 2018. Click here to view a larger version of this map.
Trails Overview:
The Lenape Trail is marked with yellow blazes as it passes through 18 parks in Essex County. Highlights of the Lenape Trail include:
- Hemlock Falls in South Mountain Reservation
- The Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial with stunning views of New York City
- Hilltop Reservation's open meadow
- Branch Brook Park's Cherry Blossom Center and the Prudential Lions
- Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
- Verona Park Lake and Boathouse
- Brookdale Park's Rose Garden
- The Nutley Museum
- The Hawk Watch at Mills Reservation
.
Click the map to expose the interactive controls, or click here to view a full-screen version of this map.
The Lenape Trail is maintained by volunteers of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference in conjunction with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and local park conservancies. Recent improvements to the Lenape Trail have been made possible by the Partners for Health Foundation.
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Newark; Nutley; Montclair; Cedar Grove; Verona; Roseland; West OrangeThe 34-mile Lenape Trail is a unique urban/suburban trail network connecting 18 parks and 11 municipalities in Essex County. It offers a green respite in one of the most densely populated counties in the country.
See the Description tab for more information, including maps to explore the Lenape Trail.
Named in recognition of the Lenni-Lenape, the original inhabitants of this area, the Lenape Trail offers an easy escape to treasured green space including forested reservations, hilltop meadows, stunning overlooks, and rushing rivers. Along the way, those following the yellow blazes will find historic landmarks, community gardens, and three parks planned by Frederick Law Olmstead - the famed...
Park Acreage:
Not availableMunicipality:
Newark; Nutley; Montclair; Cedar Grove; Verona; Roseland; West OrangeContact Information
Web Link:
Essex County Park SystemPhone:
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.
Trip Reports
rate experienceFrom the Nutley Sun:
Putting Lenape Trail on the map
Friday, October 1, 2010
BY MEGHAN GRANT
"Over the years, the yellow-colored markings of the nearly 40-mile Lenape Trail, like the network itself, has faded from the public's eye, but efforts by Essex County and volunteers of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference promise to expand the trail and publicize it."
For the rest of the story, click here.