Best running trails in New Jersey
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 465,831 reviews of New Jersey trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (406 in New Jersey do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 18 cities, 5 of them paved, 1 a loop, 7 shaded, and 1 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Liberty State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 36,921 reviews
Waterfront views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, plus miles of tree-lined walkways.
Warinanco Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 7,371 reviews
Expansive park offering an ice-skating rink & lake activities plus multiple playing fields & trails.
Mercer County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 6,043 reviews
Diverse activities available in a large preserve including play fields, trails, a lake & a dog park.
James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,867 reviews
This 167-acre lakefront, clifftop park with NYC views has 45 sports facilities, trails & a dog run.
Garret Mountain Reservation
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,859 reviews
Hilltop 568-acre park around Lambert Castle, featuring rich bird life & trails with city views.
Overpeck County Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 5,893 reviews
805 acres includes 5 miles of hiking trails plus sports fields, playgrounds & an Equestrian Center.
Lincoln Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 5,855 reviews
Largest park in Hudson County offers athletic facilities, statuary, trails & wildlife habitats.
Roosevelt Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,157 reviews
Park offering multiple sports areas, trails, lake fishing, an ice skating rink & an outdoor theater.
Saddle River County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,154 reviews
Multi-use pathways connect 5 different parks featuring ponds, playgrounds & athletic fields.
Weequahic Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 4,114 reviews
Green space with a large lake, golf course, running track, trails & athletic fields.
Allaire State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,586 reviews
Expansive park featuring antique steam trains, the Manasquan River & trails for hiking & biking.
Rahway River Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,058 reviews
Park with a wide range of athletic & recreational facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool.
Sinatra Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,793 reviews
This waterfront park offers a kayak launch, soccer field, an amphitheater & views of Manhattan.
Laurel Acres Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,592 reviews
Community park with a small fishing lake & a nature trail, plus baseball, volleyball & a dog run.
Pier C Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,420 reviews
This park with scenic views of NYC features a fishing pier, playground, water play area & promenade.
Stephen R. Gregg Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,454 reviews
This bayfront park has many recreational amenities, including sports facilities & a playground.
Watsessing Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,556 reviews
Multi-use recreation area featuring senior center, sports fields, off-leash dog area & river.
West Hudson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,079 reviews
County facility on 46 acres with various sports facilities, a water park, paths & a fishing lake.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,006 reviews
Vast park on 3,313 acres with rugged trails & dog-friendly walking paths, a pond, reservoir & views.
Veterans Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,983 reviews
Large park featuring a dog park and a playground as well as an array of sports facilities and trails.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Jersey City, NJ
- Running trails in Roselle, NJ
- Running trails in West Windsor Township, NJ
- Running trails in North Bergen, NJ
- Running trails in Woodland Park, NJ
- Running trails in Leonia, NJ
- Running trails in Edison, NJ
- Running trails in Saddle Brook, NJ
- Running trails in Newark, NJ
- Running trails in Wall Township, NJ
- Running trails in Rahway, NJ
- Running trails in Hoboken, NJ
- Running trails in Mt Laurel Township, NJ
- Running trails in Bayonne, NJ
- Running trails in Bloomfield, NJ
- Running trails in Harrison, NJ
- Running trails in Mahwah, NJ
- Running trails in Hamilton Township, NJ
All 1,126 trails in New Jersey → Best trails in other states →