Essex County, New Jersey
594 hiking & walking trails · 5parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 21 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is home to 594 mapped hiking trails and 5 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 21 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
Curated Guides for Essex County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Essex County, New Jersey?
Yes — we have 594 mapped hiking and walking trails in Essex County, New Jersey, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the best hiking trail in Essex County, New Jersey for families?
2nd Mountain Trail near Cedar Grove is one of the best family picks in Essex County, New Jersey — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Essex County, New Jersey?
Each of the 594 trails in Essex County, New Jersey has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Essex County, New Jersey?
Essex County, New Jersey has 5 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index (2 classified as recreation areas). Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Essex County, New Jersey?
We don't show any campgrounds with mapped campsites in Essex County, New Jersey right now — check the state level for more camping options nearby.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Essex County, New Jersey?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across New Jersey for more options beyond Essex County, New Jersey.
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.