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Johnson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,575 Google reviews · Running trail in Piscataway, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Johnson 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.

MixedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

Historic village, picnic grounds & sport courts on 473 acres with paths & 2 ponds.

What runners say about Johnson Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,575 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“A lots of things - - Bike trail and the boardwalk area with the pond - Zoo - its not well maintained but my kid enjoyed.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Nestled along the banks of the Raritan River, the park offers a beautiful and tranquil setting that’s perfect for a wide range of activities.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“One of the highlights of Johnson Park is its zoo, which is home to a variety of animals that delight visitors of all ages.”

Its nice park and surely kids always will enjoy there. A lots of things - - Bike trail and the boardwalk area with the pond - Zoo - its not well maintained but my kid enjoyed. When i visited, there are protesters, protesting to free the animals. - kids play area

★★★★☆ — Saurabh , Dec 2021

This park is very big as nd divided into different groves. Lot of parking and I saw play grounds. You can fish or walk along river. There is grove five with different animals like horse, deers, doves, turkey, peacock, hoats, racoons etc. to look around. There are restrooms in this park.

★★★★★ — Saloni , Jul 2019

The space and location of the park is breathtaking. Easily accessible and reach makes it a nice place for relaxing , jogging or having a walk in the dedicated pathways. Zoo next to the park is an additional attraction .

★★★★★ — Paresh , Dec 2017

Nice long walking path, plenty of grills and picnic tables in different areas. There is also a pond, saw someone fishing there.

★★★★☆ — Livetravel , Jul 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,575 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

“Nestled along the banks of the Raritan River, the park offers a beautiful and tranquil setting that’s perfect for a wide range of activities.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Also has easy access to the trailhead of the D&R Canal Trail, on its journey to Trenton (and beyond)”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“It looks to be well maintained with restroom facilities available.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“The walking and biking paths are extensive and well-paved, making them ideal for both casual walkers and serious cyclists.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“A lots of things - - Bike trail and the boardwalk area with the pond - Zoo - its not well maintained but my kid enjoyed.”

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Plan your run at Johnson Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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
  • Websitemiddlesexcountynj.gov
  • Phone(732) 745-3900

Hours

Monday 8 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–8 PM
Thursday 8 AM–8 PM
Friday 8 AM–8 PM
Saturday 8 AM–8 PM
Sunday 8 AM–8 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 Johnson Park

River Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Get directions

Running trails near Piscataway

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

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 137 reviews

Piscataway, NJ

Natural surface

Park featuring 77 miles of canal built by Irish immigrants in 1836, plus hiking, biking, and picnicking.

under a mile away

Johnson Park - Grove 4

4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Piscataway, NJ

Scenic

Public and family-friendly recreational zone for walking and picnicking along the Raritan River and lake, plus a zoo.

under a mile away

Buccleuch Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,030 reviews

New Brunswick, NJ

PavedLitScenic

Pastoral, 78-acre park showcasing the stately Buccleuch Mansion plus fields, a trail & more.

under a mile away

under a mile away

Johnson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,036 reviews

Piscataway, NJ

Scenic

Spacious green space with tennis courts and a mini zoo featuring goats, deer, sheep, birds, and horses.

under a mile away

Rutgers Eco Preserve Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Highland Park, NJ

1.0 miles away

All running trails in Piscataway, 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.