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Echo Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,385 Google reviews · Running trail in Mountainside, New Jersey · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Echo Lake 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.
Park with lots of room for sports, from ice-skating to softball, plus a snack bar for refueling.
What runners say about Echo Lake Park
“The landscaping, nature, waterfall, all so well kept on a daily basis.”
“I love this park, it has beautiful ambience, my only complaint would be the people that go to this park.”
“Lovely and quiet spot to come and kill some time or walk your dog.”
Great place to visit! Went there with my family on a cloudy day and it was lovely. We ran into a turtle; it was neat seeing it walk into the water and then disappear. Certainly nice for those who love to take pictures of nature or simply go out for fresh air.
Nice little state park, three long lakes and walking paths. A dog park and a number of places for kids to run around with a kite. Sledding hill also in one part of the park, and some areas with things like paddle boats and other water fun.
Great scenery. Quiet family park paddle boating and picnics. No hiking and bike paths. Fishing available. For weddings and proms book at lmentertainment.com
Just dont go to the dog park as owners do not watch their dogs —- its a free for all! The walk to and from nomehegan to Echo lake via williams nursery is exactly 8000 steps too!
Trail conditions & character
“I love this park, it has beautiful ambience, my only complaint would be the people that go to this park.”
“I love this park, but I go mostly to the dog park and the wooded paths behind it for my dog to get exercise.”
“Lovely and quiet spot to come and kill some time or walk your dog.”
“Lots of parking and the bathrooms by the boat house are open in the winter.”
Plan your run at Echo Lake Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Mountainside
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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