Apshawa Preserve is a Passaic County park located in West Milford. The park is mainly used for hiking. One of the best hikes here takes you to a couple of waterfalls and a pond. You’ll also see the ruins of a water plant with massive storage tanks. Apshawa Preserve is a perfect place for those looking for a well-rounded hike with a good mix of sites to see, and some hills to climb.
Apshawa Preserve
Other Attractions: Butler Reservoir
Hike Information
Distance: 4 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Unnamed Waterfall
Height: 15 feet*
Waterfall Coordinates: 41.021322, -74.381871
Rating:
Explore North Jersey Review: More interesting than the main Apshawa Falls, but challenging to get close to
From the parking lot, open the gate and begin on the Blue Trail. Make sure you close the gate behind you, as this is a deer exclosure designed to help the habitat recover from deer damage. You might see a small waterfall to the right, depending on recent rainfall. Continue on this trail, and after slightly less than a mile, you will reach the Orange Trail on the left. Take this short connector trail to the Green Trail. Turn left on the Green Trail. You will reach a pond and the unnamed waterfall in about a quarter mile.
Viewing this waterfall from a distance is relatively easy. At the dam to the pond, walk slightly out and look across the pond. You will be able to see the unnamed waterfall in the distance. Be careful on this dam, as it is about 15-20 feet above the ground below. I personally think this waterfall is more interesting than the main waterfall.
Getting to the waterfall itself is considerably more difficult. From the dam, you will see an unmarked trail working its way around the pond to the waterfall. As you get closer, the trail gets considerably thinner as it works it way along the thin ledge above the pond. Unfortunately, the only way to get a good view from here is to climb to the bottom where the waterfall meets the pond. It is possible to reach the bottom with careful footing. However, you will likely be using all fours to make it down without falling in. This is a cool spot, but honestly, the view is better from across the pond. It is difficult to see the whole waterfall from up close. That being said, the view of the pond itself from here is decent. I only recommend seeing this waterfall up close for those comfortable off trail in challenging terrain.
From the pond, continue on the Green Trail below the dam.
Continue on the Green Trail, where you will reach arguably the most interesting spot on the hike: ruins from a water purification system.
Water Plant Ruins
Apshawa Preserve was once home to a water purification system for water stored in the pond above. The ruins of this system can be seen in the remains of two stone buildings, and multiple massive water tanks. These tanks are about 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide, and more than quadruple that in length. A few of these have holes you can peer into, and one which you can walk completely into.
After exploring the ruins, continue on the Green Trail, crossing the stream, where you will finally reach Apshawa Falls.
Apshawa Falls
Height: 8.5 feet
Waterfall Coordinates: 41.018642 -74.383151
Distance: Minimum of 3 miles round trip; loop 3.5 miles
Ease of Access: Moderate-Difficult
Rating:
Explore North Jersey Review: Not too exciting by itself. The hike to the waterfall outshines the waterfall itself.
Apshawa Falls is actually a set of three small cascades, one after another. Each of these cascades are only a couple of feet tall. Without the other sites along the trail, I would not recommend going out of your way to visit these. However, if you are hiking to the ruins, it is worthwhile to continue slightly to the waterfall.
From the waterfall, continue on the Green Trail. It will immediately begin a steep and sustained climb. This is by far the most difficult section. For those wanting an easier hike, they can return the way they came from the waterfall. After about a half mile of climbing, you will be rewarded with an overlook to the south. The overlook is not anything special, but it is a nice break after the climb.
Continue on the Green Trail until you reach a woods road. Turn right to remain on the green trail. Take the trail until you reach a metal bridge below the Butler Reservoir dam. Turn right immediately after the bridge, then another quick left onto the Blue Trail. Take the Blue Trail 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.
Additional Information
- For more information on the deer fence click here. Unfortunately, the fence is showing its age and has some breaks in it, allowing deer to enter.
- Apshawa Preserve gets busy on some nice weekends. On weekdays you will likely have the place to yourself.
- Waterfall heights are from the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. Heights of waterfalls not listed by them are estimated and noted with an asterisk “*”
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