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Bonnabel Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 58 Google reviews · Running trail in Old Tappan, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bonnabel Nature Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid- and dog-friendly nature preserve with hiking trails and picnic tables.
What runners say about Bonnabel Nature Park
“Beautiful place to walk your dog and just to think your thoughts out.”
“Very calm and beautiful pathways along with creeks.”
“Overall a nice easy walk for my family.”
“Lovely place to walk my dog and listen to birds chirping.”
Nice walk through the woods that wasn't too crowded. Saw a few dog walkers and that was about it. Nice dirt mountain bike track hidden in the woods near the back loop. A full loop around the outside is about 2.75 miles. Worth it if you are local but I wouldn't go out of my way to take a trip here.
Great trail running path! Not too strenuous but with just enough variety to keep the feet interested 😄
From what I understand Bonnabel Nature Park is only the front part of this area. Past a certain point, pretty close to the Old Tappan Road entrance, it turns into Hackensack Water Company property, as it has been explained to me more than once. That's why there are so many unleashed dogs. It's not technically Bonnabel.
Beautiful woodland trails next to a stream. Although a sign at the trailhead prohibits dogs without a leash, every person I have seen in the park is there to walk their dogs, and none of them have been on a leash in the 4 years I have been enjoying the park.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful place to walk your dog and just to think your thoughts out.”
“Only after more than 3 years of trying to find that area again (I didn't try that hard), I finally came across them by following an offshoot from the main circular loop.”
“Tree roots make the path a bit tough, particularly now with all the fallen leaves.”
Plan your run at Bonnabel Nature Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Old Tappan
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Poplar Road Wildlife Sanctuary
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Hiking area with tall pine trees and wildlife.
Beechwood Park
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Relaxed green space with swings, slides, picnic tables and a playground.
Sapienza Gardens
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Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail
3.4 ★★★☆☆ 5 reviews