Campgaw Mountain is a large county park located in Mahwah. Best known as the home of a small ski area of the same name, Campgaw Mountain also features a handful of trails, a disc golf course and even a small farm. While there is nothing exceptional about Campgaw Mountain, it provides good hiking trails for all abilities. Additionally, the park is typically less crowded than other nearby parks such as Ramapo Valley County Reservation and Darlington County Park, offering a peaceful retreat.
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Parking:
Location: Mahwah, Bergen County
Restrooms: Yes, portable toilets in most parking areas and flush toilets during ski season in the ski lodge.
Activities
Skiing/Snowboarding $
A 270-foot lift serviced ski area is located in the park in the winter
Snowtubing $
Snowtubing is offered at the ski area in the winter
Hiking
The park features 10 miles of marked trails
Disc Golf
There are three disc golf courses: Green, Blue, and Black. The Green course is open year-round, while the last eight holes of the Blue and Black courses are closed during the winter. Maps of the courses can be found here.
Archery $
An archery range can be found off Campgaw Road for those with their own equipment. A permit is required. More information on the range can be found here.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted. The only water body is a snowmaking pond near the base of the ski slope.
Camping $
There are 16 tent and lean-to sites available to camp at. The camping area has no facilities. A permit is required to camp.
Points of Interest
- Campgaw Mountain Ski Area
Campgaw Mountain Ski Area
During the winter, the park is home to a small 270-foot ski area. The area features a main slope serviced by two chairlifts. A beginners slope is serviced by a magic carpet. There are a few trails off the sides that are rarely open.
Aside from skiing, the mountain is home to a very popular snow tubing hill.
The ski area is small and very expensive for what it offers. Unless you are a local, I recommend driving the extra distance to other mountains.
MEVO Fresh Roots Farm
In the back of the park is a small farm operated by MEVO. MEVO stands for the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization and is an environmental not-for-profit. MEVO carries out many sustainability projects, including clean-ups, trail building, and farming.
The farm sustainably provides food for residents and businesses. The farm is often used as an outdoor classroom for local schools and universities and is mostly run by a group of volunteers.
Trails
The mountain features a handful of hiking trails. The most interesting trails are around the ski area. Here you will find an excellent view from the summit. You will also see some ruins from the earlier days of the ski area on the sides of the slopes. This is where you will also find the disc golf course.
The trails further from the ski area, such as those near the Fresh Roots Farm, are significantly less busy, but they are also less interesting.
All the trails are well marked and easy to follow.
Disc Golf
Surrounding the ski slope is the popular disc golf course. There are three courses: Green, Blue and Black. The disc golf course is open year-round, but ski activities impact its operations. The Green course remains fully open year-round. The Blue and Black courses feature holes on the ski slope. They include a massive hole from the top of the mountain to the base. As a result, the last eight holes of the Blue and Black courses are closed during ski season.
Review
Campgaw Reservation is a solid, quieter alternative to the nearby Ramapo Valley County Reservation. While Ramapo Reservation can feel overwhelmingly crowded, occasionally even running out of parking, Campgaw generally offers a more relaxed experience. That is not to say there is little to do, as the park has a wide range of activities, including disc golf, camping, hiking, and even winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Although the trails here are not as varied or scenic as those at Ramapo Valley, they still offer some rewarding views, including glimpses of the New York City skyline. Campgaw is best suited for those in and around Bergen County. While better hiking and snow sports can be found elsewhere in the state, this park is a convenient and enjoyable option for locals.
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