Essex County, New Jersey
633 hiking trails · 5parks & campgrounds · 22 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data.
About Hiking in Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is home to 633 mapped hiking trails and 5 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 22 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Essex County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Essex County
Up to 205 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Essex County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Parks in Essex County
Sample Trails in Essex County
Hiking guides for New Jersey
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Essex County.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in New Jersey, Ranked
New Jersey's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Holly MandarichNew Jersey's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten New Jersey trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in New Jersey
Ten gentle, well-marked New Jersey trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in New Jersey
New Jersey's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in New Jersey
Federal parks and recreation areas in New Jersey ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichBest Waterfall Hikes in New Jersey: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
New Jersey's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.