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Essex County Riverfront Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 744 Google reviews · Running trail in Newark, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Essex County Riverfront 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.

ScenicRestrooms

12-acre waterfront park offering athletic fields & courts, 2 playgrounds & open green space.

What runners say about Essex County Riverfront Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (744 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Restrooms are always clean, playground is safe and child proof.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“This was my first time visiting Riverfront Park and it was beautiful.”

Nice park along the Passaic River. Awesome views of the bridges along the river and the Newark and New York skylines. Great for biking and walking. The park was initially known as Mayfair Park and was redesigned recently by Damon Rich of Hector, formerly in his role as Planning Director and Chief Urban Designer for…

★★★★★ — Nils , Oct 2022

The Riverfront has Underwent lots of changes over the past 10 years. This park was an amazing addition to this once blighted area which was riddled with environmental issues. The park gas brought so many different faces into the community and not just to drive through it but to come hang and spend time here.

★★★★☆ — Victor , Sep 2021

Beautiful new playgrounds and nice place to walk..the last playground is a little too secluded and always empty I’m not sure why ?? It’s brand new and big... with sprinklers and a lot of playground equipment..I love walking from penn station all the way to the end where new playground is...

★★★★★ — Nellie , Aug 2019

A lovely park. An 8 mile walking trail, mini gym, calm, serene atmosphere. With courts for basketball and much more.

★★★★☆ — Helen , Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 744 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Awesome views of the bridges along the river and the Newark and New York skylines.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Restrooms are always clean, playground is safe and child proof.”

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Plan your run at Essex County Riverfront Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • Websiteessexcountyparks.org
  • Phone+1 973-268-3500
  • Social Instagram

Hours

Monday 8 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9:30 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 8 am–9:30 pm
Friday 8 am–9:30 pm
Saturday 8 am–9:30 pm
Sunday 8 am–9:30 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Essex County Riverfront Park

1-3 Brill St, Newark, NJ 07105

Get directions

Running trails near Newark

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Newark Riverfront Park - Somme Street Entrance

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BoardwalkScenic

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under a mile away

Riverbank Park

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Lit

Baseball diamond with a grandstand, plus basketball & tennis courts, a track & a playground.

under a mile away

Independence Park

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Dog-friendly

Neighborhood park with lighted softball diamonds, a soccer field, hockey rink, playground & gazebo.

1.1 miles away

West Hudson Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,079 reviews

Harrison, NJ

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

County facility on 46 acres with various sports facilities, a water park, paths & a fishing lake.

1.3 miles away

Gunnell Oval

4.6 ★★★★★ 373 reviews

Kearny, NJ

ShadedScenic

Green space offering baseball fields, soccer fields, a basketball court & a play area.

2.1 miles away

Kearny Riverbank Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 87 reviews

Kearny, NJ

ScenicDog-friendly

Park offering a spot for walking and a chance to see colorful fall foliage.

2.4 miles away

All running trails in Newark, NJ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.