HomeNew JerseyHighlands › Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance

Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance

4.9 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · Running trail in Highlands, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance'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.

Natural surfaceLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingMile markers

What runners say about Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (34 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“There is ample parking near the trailhead as well as clean bathrooms and a water fountain with a built-in bowl for dogs.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“This trail provides a lovely hike through a hardwood forest that offers stunning glimpses of the Navesink and Shrewsbury as you climb to the trail's apex.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“The trails are not that well marked but we always ran into someone cycling or walking their dog or regular hikers who were more than happy to guide us.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Perfect park for exercising, sightseeing, dog walking.”

The park has many trails you can take. Ricky Point and Grand concourse trails are very challenging pathes that have a good number of inclines that are 30 - 40 degree angles. Be alert, there are mountain bikers that ride along the trails also. If you make it to the pier you get a beautiful view.

★★★★★ — Lau劉 , Aug 2022

This trail provides a lovely hike through a hardwood forest that offers stunning glimpses of the Navesink and Shrewsbury as you climb to the trail's apex. The trail intersects with the Battery Loop near the overlook, providing sweeping views of the water.

★★★★★ — Mary , Aug 2025

Cool place. Clean trails. Light traffic on a weekday afternoon. Will be back. I like the h2o stations. Thanks.

★★★★★ — Pjk , May 2023

Amazing trails with a blend of easy to medium difficulty levels with moderate elevation level. The trails are not that well marked but we always ran into someone cycling or walking their dog or regular hikers who were more than happy to guide us. GPS/ phone signal was available throughout, in case you were wondering.

★★★★★ — Sumit , Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 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 13 mentions

“This trail provides a lovely hike through a hardwood forest that offers stunning glimpses of the Navesink and Shrewsbury as you climb to the trail's apex.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“There is ample parking near the trailhead as well as clean bathrooms and a water fountain with a built-in bowl for dogs.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“The trails are not that well marked but we always ran into someone cycling or walking their dog or regular hikers who were more than happy to guide us.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“This trail provides a lovely hike through a hardwood forest that offers stunning glimpses of the Navesink and Shrewsbury as you climb to the trail's apex.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“There is ample parking near the trailhead as well as clean bathrooms and a water fountain with a built-in bowl for dogs.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“The trails are not that well marked but we always ran into someone cycling or walking their dog or regular hikers who were more than happy to guide us.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Love this place any trail is great my favorite is rocky point awesome place in the winter”

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💡 Lit for night running

“Light traffic on a weekday afternoon.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“There is ample parking near the trailhead as well as clean bathrooms and a water fountain with a built-in bowl for dogs.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance

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.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitemonmouthcountyparks.com
  • Phone+1 732-872-0336
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–9 pm
Tuesday 7 am–9 pm
Wednesday 7 am–9 pm
Thursday 7 am–9 pm
Friday 7 am–9 pm
Saturday 7 am–9 pm
Sunday 7 am–9 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 Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point entrance

1402 Portland Rd, Highlands, NJ 07732

Get directions

Running trails near Highlands

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

Hartshorne Woods Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,336 reviews

Highlands, NJ

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Forested park home to WWII-era bunkers, popular for 14 miles of hiking, biking & equestrian trails.

under a mile away

Hartshorne Woods Park, Buttermilk Valley Entrance

4.9 ★★★★★ 136 reviews

Atlantic Highlands, NJ

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Bike-friendly park with walking paths and hiking trails.

1.5 miles away

Henry Hudson Trail / Popamora Point

4.7 ★★★★★ 695 reviews

Atlantic Highlands, NJ

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Beach, paved trail popular for walking and biking, with views of the NYC skyline.

1.5 miles away

Huber Woods Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 329 reviews

Locust, NJ

ScenicDog-friendly

Park with 360+ acres of green space, multi-use trails & an environmental center with exhibits.

2.4 miles away

Bay shore Trail Atlantic Highlands

4.9 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Paved

3.1 miles away

Fair Haven Fields Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 89 reviews

Fair Haven, NJ

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Natural area featuring a network of dog-friendly walking and hiking trails, plus a pond.

3.4 miles away

All running trails in Highlands, 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.