HomeNew JerseyJersey City › Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 110 Google reviews · Running trail in Jersey City, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve'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 surfaceScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAWaterQuiet

Kid-friendly recreational area featuring walking trails around a reservoir for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.

What runners say about Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (110 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“I’ve seen so many species of birds here, it’s beautiful.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“good place for catch and release fishing 13 acres ,bird watching , quiet surroundings for being in the city.”

Best place for a nature walk in Jersey City, outside of Liberty State Park. I’ve seen so many species of birds here, it’s beautiful. The trees and greenery makes it relaxing and a perfect place to walk around and get your miles in. I love having this peaceful green space nearby.

★★★★☆ — Sasha , Sep 2025

A piece of heaven in a busy city. A place to go to get back with nature. There are walk trails to see plants flowers birds and some animals. A place to go fishing but you have to put the caught fish back. They want to build up the population. If everyone takes tge fish you will have nothing left.

★★★★★ — Joseph , Aug 2019

Best kept secret, been my sanctuary since 2004. Back when there was a bunch of graffiti, beer drinkers and the place was locked up all the time. They have kayaking on weekends and a nice dog run around the top perimeter. Great place to go hang and read a book.

★★★★★ — Michael , Mar 2019

Very pretty and a nice walk, an oasis amidst the noise of life in the Heights. It's not open very often since volunteers are needed, but it's well worth a visit on days when it is available to the public.

★★★★☆ — Eric , Dec 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 110 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 9 mentions

“I’ve seen so many species of birds here, it’s beautiful.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“My only qualm is that people walk their dogs here A LOT and unfortunately some people don’t clean up after their dogs.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“good place for catch and release fishing 13 acres ,bird watching , quiet surroundings for being in the city.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The dirt path makes it feel like you’re taking a walk amongst the trees rather than a city walkway.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“So between the runners, strollers and dogs (sometimes off lease) it’s not as relaxing as it could be during “peak” hours.”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

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.
  • At the trailheadwater — 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.
  • Websiteen.wikipedia.org

Hours

Monday 8 am–7 pm
Tuesday 8 am–7 pm
Wednesday 8 am–7 pm
Thursday 8 am–7 pm
Friday 8 am–7 pm
Saturday 8 am–7 pm
Sunday 8 am–7 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 Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

119-199 Reservoir Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

Get directions

Running trails near Jersey City

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

Pershing Field Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,774 reviews

Jersey City, NJ

Scenic

Park offering many amenities, including an ice rink, pool, playground & fields & courts for sports.

under a mile away

100 Steps

4.6 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

Jersey City, NJ

Scenic

Hiking area characterized by its stairs.

under a mile away

Mary Benson Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 67 reviews

Jersey City, NJ

Scenic

1.1 miles away

Stevens Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 239 reviews

Hoboken, NJ

Crushed gravelDog-friendly

Community park offering a dog run plus a baseball field that's home to local Little League games.

1.4 miles away

Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,806 reviews

Hoboken, NJ

BoardwalkLitScenic

Long, paved riverside cycling & walking path offering dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline.

1.4 miles away

Erie-Lackawanna Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Hoboken, NJ

Scenic

Wooded spot with pavilions, benches & sculpture, paved paths & views of the Manhattan skyline.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Jersey City, 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.