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John Witherspoon Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 75 Google reviews · Running trail in Princeton, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from John Witherspoon Woods' 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.
What runners say about John Witherspoon Woods
“Great trail we didn't walk through the whole loop but went to play on the boulders with my daughter, it was lush well maintained for spring - summer, but not difficult or tricky.”
“The well-maintained paths and natural beauty create a peaceful environment perfect for a day out in the fresh air.”
Awesome new little find! The various trail terrain. Rock hopping stream crossing boulder climbing it had it all! Parking lot is small so get there early No bathrooms at this trailhead. Expect muddy conditions. Definitely will revisit
John Witherspoon Woods earns a well-deserved five stars as a delightful escape into nature. The area is abundant with trails that cater to both casual strollers and more avid hikers.
Accessible from the Mountain Avenue parking with restrooms and Cherry Hill Road without restrooms. Open space with a mix of private land. Old forest, streams, and well maintained trails. Not unusual to see a raccoon, deers or a fox. Devils cave is closer to the Cherry Hill parking using Yellow Trail.
I'd definitely recommend this trail to everyone. One of the easiest trails I ever did. Good serene views with lakes in between where you can fish. It is also one of the safest trails as it has wooden railing in places where it could be slippery.
Trail conditions & character
“Accessible from the Mountain Avenue parking with restrooms and Cherry Hill Road without restrooms.”
“The little hills throughout provide a gentle challenge, making it an ideal spot for those who enjoy a scenic hike without the strain of steep or overly rugged terrain.”
“The well-maintained paths and natural beauty create a peaceful environment perfect for a day out in the fresh air.”
“as we had a lot of rain recently there's a lot of muddy trails so one need to be prepared.”
“Accessible from the Mountain Avenue parking with restrooms and Cherry Hill Road without restrooms.”
“Accessible from the Mountain Avenue parking with restrooms and Cherry Hill Road without restrooms.”
Plan your run at John Witherspoon Woods
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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteprincetonnj.gov
- Phone(609) 921-9480
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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