Hiking Morris County’s Little Known Mountainside Park

Mountainside Park is an often-overlooked park located just off Interstate 287 in Morris County. Thousands of drivers pass by it every day without realizing that beyond the trees lies a surprisingly rugged but extremely well-maintained network of trails. The most popular hike in the park is the 2.5-mile Blue Trail Loop to the summit of Pequannock Knob and back. Pequannock Knob is the highest point in the park at 763 feet, and features expansive views of Morris County and the Watchung Mountains in the distance. Continue reading to learn how to hike this little-known park in Morris County.

The Hike

The hike is about 2.5 miles and is moderately difficult due to frequent hills and some rocky surfaces. The trail follows the Blue Trail in its entirety. From the parking area, I recommend taking the trail counterclockwise. By taking the trail counterclockwise, you get the section of the trail with the most road noise from Interstate 287 out of the way for the first half of the hike. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow.

The parking area is small, but there is additional street parking just below the parking lot.

The Beginning of the Trail

From the parking area, walk towards the kiosk, which features a trail map and park information. The Blue Trail Loop begins and ends at the kiosk. Take the trail straight ahead to hike the trail counterclockwise. The trail begins to gradually work its way uphill, featuring a few small dips along the way. You will soon reach an intersection with the Blue and Black Trail, which connects to Mountain Ave. Remain on the Blue Trail.

In about a half mile, you will reach the start of the Orange Trail. Even though you will remain on the Blue Trail, you will cross the Orange Trail four more times over the next mile. Continue on the Blue Trail, which dips down and gets close to Interstate 287. Despite being able to hear the highway for most of the hike, this is the only spot where you can see it through the trees. The trail loops back away from the highway before reaching the Orange Trail again at a bridge crossing a seasonal stream.

The Camping Areas

Directly across the bridge is the first of two camping areas in the park. Each camping area features a lean-to, a fire ring, and a small pavilion. The camping area is by permit only and is designed to be used by scout groups. If no scouts are using the site, it is a nice place to rest, as both camping areas are before sizable hills.

Despite being an overall well-maintained park, the Blue Trail is somewhat difficult to find from the camping area. The opposite side of the camping area features a woods road, and you may be tempted to continue on that. Do not continue on the road, as that is not the correct trail. The Blue Trail is actually immediately to the left after crossing the bridge and partially blocked by a tree. You need to turn onto the trail before even reaching the shelter and pavilion.

The Blue Trail then works its way up a short but steep hill next to the seasonal stream. During times of high water, the stream looks like it would feature a few nice cascades. The hill is not long, but it features a lot of loose dirt and may be a little challenging to keep your footing.

The top of the hill features the second of the two camping areas, which features the same amenities as the first.

Pequannock Knob

From the camping area, you will once again cross the Orange Trail. After crossing the trail, the trail dips down briefly before beginning the most significant climb of the hike to the top of Pequannock Knob. Over the next quarter mile, you will climb about 300 feet to reach the 763-foot summit of Pequannock Knob. About halfway up is a small overlook on a rock face. The view from here is only okay, as there are some obstructions from trees and a view of a warehouse to the north, but it is a good spot to catch your breath before continuing.

If you continue a short distance further uphill on the Blue Trail, you will reach the summit, which features a far superior view. There is a small metal bench that offers a view of the Watchung Mountains in the distance. You also have a clear view of the Lincoln Park Airport runway.

From the summit, continue on the Blue Trail. There are a few other trails at the summit, including the Orange Trail again and an unmarked trail. The Blue Trail is a little challenging to find after the overlook, so make sure you are looking for the blue markings.

Once you continue on the Blue Trail again, you will almost immediately begin working your way downhill. You will soon reach the final (and my personal favorite) overlook. Unlike the previous overlooks, which were over a flat valley with long ridges in the far distance, this one features a pair of unnamed peaks directly to the south. To get the best view, you will have to go off-trail slightly, but you can still see part of the view from the trail.

Immediately following the overlook, the trail begins the steep descent. Unfortunately, there are a lot of loose rocks on this part of the trail. Use caution when hiking down this section.

The Rest of the Hike

You will soon cross the Orange Trail for the final time. Continue on the Blue Trail, which goes up and down a few small hills and crosses the seasonal stream once again. About 0.4 miles after the final crossing of the Orange Trail, you will see the Red and Blue Trail on the right. You can take this trail to the Red Trail to extend your hike if desired. Unfortunately, the Red Trail is not particularly interesting, so I recommend simply sticking to the Blue Trail unless you want to add mileage.

From the Red and Blue Trail, continue on the Blue Trail for about 0.6 miles back to the parking area, completing the 2.5-mile hike.

GPS Route