Located in Rockaway, New Jersey, the hike to Indian Cliffs in Farny State Park is a hidden gem that delivers some of the best views in Morris County. This moderately easy trail takes visitors on a gentle hike through Farny State Park before climbing steeply to a rocky outcrop with wide views of Splitrock Reservoir and Green Pond Mountain. Along the way, hikers also pass Misty Pond and can take an optional detour to the seasonal Rileys Rise overlook. Continue reading to learn more about this underrated hike and overlook.
Hike Information
Distance: 4 miles
Ascent: ~550 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
The Hike
The hike to the Indian Cliffs is about 4 miles and moderately difficult. There are numerous ways to reach the Indian Cliffs, but the guide below features the easiest-to-follow and most direct route starting at Farny State Park. The hike features a few small hills before the rocky climb to the top of the cliffs. Aside from that climb, the trail consists mostly of gentle woods roads.
Parking
Parking for Indian Cliffs can be found at the end of Timberbrook Drive at 99 Timberbrook Rd, Rockaway, NJ 07866. This is just before Camp Winnebago, a Boy Scout Camp. The gravel lot holds about 10 vehicles. Farny State Park does not typically receive many visitors; you will likely have no trouble finding parking.
Starting the Hike
From the parking area, locate the trailhead where both the Yellow and Green Trails begin. You are going to take the Green Trail.
Almost immediately, the Green Trail turns to the right, while the Yellow Trail turns left. Follow the Green Trail, which follows an old road. After 0.2 miles, the Green Trail turns off this road. This turn is marked but is not obvious, as the road is significantly wider than the trail, so make sure you are paying attention to the markers.
Follow this trail for another 0.2 miles until the trail turns left onto another old road. Unfortunately, at this point, the trail is very close to a gun range for Camp Winnebago. While you cannot see the range, you can certainly hear it if it is in use. To make matters worse, it is a rifle and shotgun range, so it is very loud.
Follow the trail for 0.7 miles, gradually hiking away from the gun range. Keep following the Green Blazes until you reach the Green and White Connector Trail straight ahead. This short trail connects to the White Trail and provides much simpler access to Indian Cliffs. Alternatively, you can stay on the Green Trail, but it takes you out of the way and isn’t very interesting. At the end of this connection, turn right to begin the White Trail.
Follow the trail for 0.3 miles until you reach the Green Trail again.
Labeled on the map is an overlook called Riley’s Rise. This overlook is mostly overgrown and not worth the detour. If you would like to see it, continue on the White Trail for a few hundred feet, then return. If you would rather go straight to Indian Cliffs, turn left to return to the Green Trail.
About 0.2 miles back on the Green Trail, you will reach a side overlook that is worth visiting. From the trail, you can make out Splitrock Reservoir just ahead, across a grassy path.
Cross this path, which is a connection to the Orange Trail, where you will find a great view of the northern end of Splitrock Reservoir.
After taking in the view, return to the Green Trail. It soon reaches yet another old road, where you turn left before it seemingly ends abruptly.
A short distance past this “end,” you will reach the Blue Trail crossing the road which will finally take you up to the Indian Cliffs.
Indian Cliffs
Turn right onto the Blue Trail, where you will quickly be greeted by what looks like a near vertical rock scramble.
Fortunately, the trail banks to the left before making a U-turn, allowing you to climb up the gentler side. This is still steep and rocky, but you won’t need to use your hands and knees to climb.
After a short distance and an approximately 150-foot climb up the cliffs, you will reach the overlook.
From the overlook you have great views of the northern end of Splitrock Reservoir.
You also have a view to the north of Green Pond Mountain.
Once you have taken in the view, return the way you came down to where the Green Trail ended.
Misty Pond
Instead of returning on the Green Trail, continue straight, cross the road, and continue on the Blue Trail. In a short distance, you will reach Misty Pond. The trail never goes to the shore, but you can still see the pond through the trees.
From Misty Pond, remain on the Blue Trail until you once again reach the White Trail. Turn right onto the White Trail and follow it for about a quarter mile until you reach the previously hiked Green and White Connector Trail. Turn left onto this connector to return to the Green Trail. From here, continue on Green, retracing your original steps for about a mile back to the parking area.
GPS Route
Attached is the route as described above for reference. Additionally users can download the route to use on their preferred GPS. How to use the GPS routes on your phone.
Review
The hike to Indian Cliffs is a great, well-marked trail, perfect for those looking for a quick, relatively easy overlook. While the journey to the viewpoint is average, Indian Cliffs itself is fantastic and worth the trip. The small crowds only add to the experience. The only major downside to this hike is the gun range near the trailhead. When the range is active, the noise noticeably detracts from the experience, though fortunately the sounds fade as you get further along. Other than the shooting range, this is an excellent hike.
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